Starting a dojo

[Badhabits]

Maybe this is a dumb idea. But what about putting together a local tournament to get some exposure?

 

[hoshin1600]

I'm going to put forth some advise that I have yet to ever hear when this topic comes up.
Does your significant other, share your enthusiasm for the project and will they be able to maintain their own commitment to your success?
This one nugget has gone sideways for me a few times, one ended the relationship and cost me about half my belongings and ultimately closed the dojo.
Business generally start within two general buckets. One being small incremental pull your self up by your boot straps type with little to no capital most often started by people with big ideas and lots of hope but little experience in buisiness. The other bucket is the more professional buisiness route with ample capital with reserves and support funds for the owner to live on, a solid business plan that denotes timeliness with projected earnings and business partnerships to help as buisiness is a team sport.
Martial art schools most often fall under category one, the self starter.
Unless your single with no commitments problems will arise in a relationship when starting.
>Your time away from your partner can cause isolation and resentment.
>Small ventures do not bring sufficient revenue. You could make more money getting a part time job at McDonald's. How long is your partner willing to go without you making a regular income?
>How risk adverse is your partner? Having your own buisiness opens you up to a lot of liability in many different ways.
> Does your partner understand the commitment level needed ? Classes need to be continuous and steady same time everytime without fail. You can't miss or be late because your partner feels you can take the kids or the dog with you and stop by the cleaners to drop of laundry for her..afterall she is working and your not, also don't forget next week is her cousin Jennifer's graduation party. You can skip classes because it's not like you have a real job.
These are real issues and a misalignment between relationship partners is a major contributor to the failure of many businesses and relationships.
Part of a small buisness plan should include how you going to communicate and navigate your relationship.
I will also add from experience that just because she says it's a great idea go for it in the beginning, doesn't mean squat. These things need to be negotiated along the way.

 

[jks9199]

I'm going to put forth some advise that I have yet to ever hear when this topic comes up.
Does your significant other, share your enthusiasm for the project and will they be able to maintain their own commitment to your success?
This one nugget has gone sideways for me a few times, one ended the relationship and cost me about half my belongings and ultimately closed the dojo.
Business generally start within two general buckets. One being small incremental pull your self up by your boot straps type with little to no capital most often started by people with big ideas and lots of hope but little experience in buisiness. The other bucket is the more professional buisiness route with ample capital with reserves and support funds for the owner to live on, a solid business plan that denotes timeliness with projected earnings and business partnerships to help as buisiness is a team sport.
Martial art schools most often fall under category one, the self starter.
Unless your single with no commitments problems will arise in a relationship when starting.
>Your time away from your partner can cause isolation and resentment.
>Small ventures do not bring sufficient revenue. You could make more money getting a part time job at McDonald's. How long is your partner willing to go without you making a regular income?
>How risk adverse is your partner? Having your own buisiness opens you up to a lot of liability in many different ways.
> Does your partner understand the commitment level needed ? Classes need to be continuous and steady same time everytime without fail. You can't miss or be late because your partner feels you can take the kids or the dog with you and stop by the cleaners to drop of laundry for her..afterall she is working and your not, also don't forget next week is her cousin Jennifer's graduation party. You can skip classes because it's not like you have a real job.
These are real issues and a misalignment between relationship partners is a major contributor to the failure of many businesses andI'd relationships.
Part of a small buisness plan should include how you going to communicate and navigate your relationship.
I will also add from experience that just because she says it's a great idea go for it in the beginning, doesn't mean squat. These things need to be negotiated along the way.

Excellent advice. I'd even add in the rest of the family -- kids and beyond. And note that it applies to any small business... If you start a small business, like a commercial training hall, it will become a family affair. You will bring work home... and you willhave to deal with work stuff on birthdays or holidays or other things.

 

[isshinryuronin]

Does your significant other, share your enthusiasm for the project and will they be able to maintain their own commitment to your success?

An excellent point. Couples can do their own thing, but when one's activities affect the other's, a sit-down is called for. I don't think teaching MA is that time consuming, but if done in addition to a regular job the hours can add up and leave your partner handling a lot (sometimes too much) on their own. I made that mistake when I started my own small business, partially abandoning my family for my business.

Years later with another job (and wife) married applicants, after testing and two initial interviews, had to be interviewed with spouse. The job was very demanding requiring multiple skill sets and time investment, hours spanning morning, noon and night, including weekends, 12-hour days not uncommon. The management was well aware of the stresses involved and sought to ensure support from one's spouse. My wife was/is a gem, and I had learned to be always considerate of my partner, so my years there were very rewarding, and my marriage endured.

Lesson learned - balance and consideration is key in all things.

 

[ap Oweyn]

That was a really excellent point. I’ve never seen that addressed before, but it’s so true now that you’ve pointed it out. Well said.

 

[JowGaWolf]

If someone’s school does less then 20k / month don’t take any of their advice when it comes to business.

Not accurate. Not all Martial Art teachers want to have that many people where the are making $20K a month. Not all your best students are going to be the ones who can pay the most. I manages a successful school at $80 per students and often beat more expensive schools.

The only way I would try to maximize profit is if I needed the school to earn a living.