Need Help/Info from other Moons and Instructors. Mission: 10th Pl San Diego

It's has become a dream of mine to open a 10th planet, And I don't have much money right now but I was wondering how other Moons have gone about opening? Did you get a loan from the bank? Borrow from a friend?, I have tons of questions but I'm sure there are FAQ's that current gym owners could help with, so please reach out to me and help me expand the empire. I have all the info from Eddie as to the requirements, but Now I need some help finding info so I can physically move forward. I am happy to start from a small humble beginning. It's exciting and scary but I really would like to take this step, continuing to learn and sharing my knowledge. Any info would be awesome.

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Originally Posted by Bryan Brown

It's has become a dream of mine to open a 10th planet, And I don't have much money right now but I was wondering how other Moons have gone about opening? Did you get a loan from the bank? Borrow from a friend?, I have tons of questions but I'm sure there are FAQ's that current gym owners could help with, so please reach out to me and help me expand the empire. I have all the info from Eddie as to the requirements, but Now I need some help finding info so I can physically move forward. I am happy to start from a small humble beginning. It's exciting and scary but I really would like to take this step, continuing to learn and sharing my knowledge. Any info would be awesome.

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Youd be surprised how many Karate, aikido, kung fu etc.., schools want to have some sort of grappling program or would be willing to share space and grow the school. Go into one that you think is nice and check it out and speak with the owner. Maybe you could work out a deal to go 50/50 on memberships meaning for every student that pays $100/mo you get $50 and they get $50. Do it long enough till you get a large following then the transition to your own space it will be much easier.

I'm pretty sure that sort of arrangement was how 10th Planet Portland was created. First it shared space with a school in West Linn and then later it moved to its current location which was featured on MTS 21.

Work with what you have. Drill learn and teach whereever whenever you can. Teaching is an art, running a school is a buisness and they are both very specific skills that must be mastered. Don't kid yourself it's hard work with no guarantee of success. If you haven't done it before you may want to throw in with someone who all ready has a school. (if you can prove it's mutually benifitial.) The upside is low initial startup and you can ease into the buisness side as you build a student base. The down side is shared control, lower profits and there is almost always conflict working with a partner. More than not there is a parting of the ways at some point. On your own the risks are higher but the profit (and the blame) are yours alone. You can find a silent investor or work and save 500$ a month for a year which will cover your affiliation fees and first months rent. Equipmet and mats are another story. I've done it both ways it depends on your skills, experience and tolerence for risk. Start reading up on running a small buisness there's a ton of resources out there, even a whole network for martial arts schools and gyms.

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Originally Posted by Eric Perez

Youd be surprised how many Karate, aikido, kung fu etc.., schools want to have some sort of grappling program or would be willing to share space and grow the school. Go into one that you think is nice and check it out and speak with the owner. Maybe you could work out a deal to go 50/50 on memberships meaning for every student that pays $100/mo you get $50 and they get $50. Do it long enough till you get a large following then the transition to your own space it will be much easier.

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Thank you guys, That is a good idea. I have been scouting different striking gyms that I could possibly work with. I think it's a good way to lower the start up cost.

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Originally Posted by Brian Beaumont AKA Thor

Work with what you have. Drill learn and teach whereever whenever you can. Teaching is an art, running a school is a buisness and they are both very specific skills that must be mastered. Don't kid yourself it's hard work with no guarantee of success. If you haven't done it before you may want to throw in with someone who all ready has a school. (if you can prove it's mutually benifitial.) The upside is low initial startup and you can ease into the buisness side as you build a student base. The down side is shared control, lower profits and there is almost always conflict working with a partner. More than not there is a parting of the ways at some point. On your own the risks are higher but the profit (and the blame) are yours alone. You can find a silent investor or work and save 500$ a month for a year which will cover your affiliation fees and first months rent. Equipmet and mats are another story. I've done it both ways it depends on your skills, experience and tolerence for risk. Start reading up on running a small buisness there's a ton of resources out there, even a whole network for martial arts schools and gyms.

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Thank you Brian, lots of good stuff there. What did you mean "Network" for martial arts schools and gym? Did you read any books that you can recommend? Thanks again.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5505140_star...-business.html
http://www.asbdc-us.org/

http://www.entrepreneur.com/businessideas/429.html
http://napma.com/
http://martialpreneur.com/
Here's a few there's a lot out there just do your research. Also all citys have small buisness support just find the one in your area.

I really recommend Tom Callos at the 100. http://the100info.tumblr.com/ great info on running a gym without becoming mcdojo. Works a lot with BJ Penn, great guy, very accessible

Need a 10th planet in Orange County.

Bryan, I highley recommend what these guys are saying, subletting out of another established school is the best way to start a program with low risk, IMHO.

Be prepared to plod along financially with a core group of white belts for at least 6 monthes to a year. Sometimes helps to grandfather some of the start-up guys with lower payments or no payments when fees start to rise when the gym picks up.

Too many roosters(teachers) in the hen house can cause issues to. Other Martial Art instructors sometimes think you are stealing there students when they see you doing interesting stuff they've never seen before and start signing up for your class.

A good book
http://susanlynnpeterson.com/my-book...l-arts-school/