starting your own school...do's and don'ts

[kevinculp]

I'm getting close to getting my brown belt and want to start planning my dream of owning my own jitsu school. I've owned two businesses so have experience in that part covered but when starting a business plan for an academy I'm sure I could gain valuable advice from those already living the dream. Things like how much cash should I have before I start the ball rolling. From my friends I've already learned location and a good billing company are key but always looking for friendly advice. Thanks!

[HerbChao]

I would def start with purchasing a few books on martial arts school business, I can't speak from experience but I'm told when starting your own business be sure you have at least 3-4 months savings banked....are u quitting ur day job too or planning to run the school at night?

[Chris Garry]

If you're doing it right you won't have time for books!!

Start small and keep the lease as short as possible. If I was to start over I'd start less than half the size we did and aim to outgrow the premises within 2 years and move somewhere roughly the size of what we have now (smaller still even?).

Putting a system in place which allows for growth within your early years is about a million times smarter than starting somewhere bigger, somewhere you see yourself remaining in 10 yrs time and just hoping to fill it when the doors first open; in the mean time the mats gonna be empty.

Always be looking over your shoulder, no matter how good a month or year you've had. There's so many snakes in the grass sometimes theres more snakes than grass. In this industry the moment you get comfortable you're basically fucked.

Live, eat, breathe and sleep outside your comfort zone.

Good luck!!

[kevinculp]

Good advice Chris. Definitively looking to start small. From talking to a few friends the key to turning a profit to keep the doors open and hopefully grow is having a strong kids program. This is my focus mostly because I have two kids. I am hoping to be strictly jiu jitsu and wrestling so it makes sense too. Without the typical MMA route the kids will be very important.

[kevinculp]

Herb...haven't ruled out working while not teaching. I have enough saved right now for 6 months. I'm relocating to San Bernardino next year to train and learn better about my options. I want to def train with 10th Planet. Not sure who I want to get my gi black belt from yet.

[Tony "The Goods" Garcia]

I work primarily with kids as well. Number 1 Have good insurance. Number 2 Everyone signs a waiver. Number 3 Have good insurance and number 4 realize that teaching kids is a whole other world :-)

[kevinculp]

Thanks Tony. Is there specific liability insurance you need? Is there a special company or just go through the agent I use for my install businesses now? You are right about coaching kids. I coached 3-5 year olds soccer and also coached highschool volleyball. Patience and creativity are a must!

[Tony "The Goods" Garcia]

Thanks Tony. Is there specific liability insurance you need? Is there a special company or just go through the agent I use for my install businesses now? You are right about coaching kids. I coached 3-5 year olds soccer and also coached highschool volleyball. Patience and creativity are a must!

I'm inside a gym so I ended up going through the gym owner's insurance company.

[kevinculp]

Tony...I thought about that route but not sure how you do it. What is the standard deal. Do you have it separate from their client list or do they pay you appercentage?

[Tony "The Goods" Garcia]

Tony...I thought about that route but not sure how you do it. What is the standard deal. Do you have it separate from their client list or do they pay you appercentage?

To be honest, I live in a very poor area. I had originally started teaching gi classes but no students could afford even a cheap gi much less 3 or 4 so I went full no gi. I had just lost my job and was walking home when I passed the gym. I figured I had nothing to lose so I went in and asked the owner if he was interested in starting a martial arts program. He was all for it so I literally started with a 10x10 section of walmart puzzle mats. Right off the bat we had injuries so he lent me enough money for two giant tarps and 3 layers of carpet padding. We worked like that for about two years lol. Eventually I found a decent 2 ring wrestling mat and took out a payday loan to buy it. I was originally charging $40 a month for 7 days a week of 2 hour classes. The plan was $20 to the gym and $20 to myself per student. Even at $40 a month , most of the students eventually quit because they couldn't afford it. I couldn't have a 10th Planet Hotbox because of the fees so we decided to lower it to $30/month and I would give up my share rather than being charged rent. So, I teach for free and lowered classes to 3 days a week. Even now, 1/2 of my kids can't afford the $30 so the owner rarely enforces tuition. I honestly have it pretty good though. I've been there about 3 years and still love every minute of it. I'll never make a living from jiu jitsu classes but I usually have a mat full of happy kids and that is far better to me than any amount of money :-).