Starting a dojo

[Monkey Turned Wolf]

I'm at the point in my martial arts career where I want to start a new dojo. The difficult thing is figuring out A) where to create it and B) how to make money from the get-go.

I'm currently unemployed after quitting my last job, and being supported by my wife. Which is fine, but it means that I've got the time, and also have a need to get money in some way.

I've got a couple locations as possibilities, but they require a fee per session, and offer no real marketing, just the space for it. And I've got the ability to train people in the grass near my apartment, but again that'd be purely who I can reach with no marketing. So I'd need some way to get students, figure out a way to market without losing money (I can invest a bit but it'd have to be worth it), and retain students until I can start renting a space.

My main idea currently involves getting friends in the area I'll train for free to give the impression of a full class, while reaching out via groupon and meetup.com to try to get additional paying students, but idk how effective that will be.

If anyone has any good ideas towards getting a student base from nothing, I'd appreciate it.

 

[J. Pickard]

Start off working a different job part time teaching out of cheap/free places like parks and community centers. as you build your clientele you can expand into your own facility. As someone who has struggled with the idea of making money while still maintaining the integrity of the art for years here is my two cents.
1. Don't be afraid to charge what you are worth and charge for extras. If you have to spend money and time on something then you should be charging for it. It's easy to get in the habit of giving things away for free because it's your passion and you want to see other people succeed in it, but that's how schools go under. If you pay for a belt then you should charge for a belt. If testings are on an additional day separate from regular class then they should be an extra fee, etc.
2. Kids will be your bread and butter for striking arts, a good place to start is offering your services to local school/public rec groups. Homeschool groups are a great place to start as well.
3. contracts and membership plans can help layout the concept of long-term benefits to those that tend to be more short sighted and used to instant gratification. They aren't a must, but they definitely help
4. If you are in the US, buy as soon as you can and avoid renting long term. Rent in most of the country is much higher than a business mortgage. Where I'm at rent is usually triple or more what a mortgage would cost.
5. Don't forget to account for the little expenses; office supplies, cleaning supplies, insurance, maintenance and upkeep, mats, toilet paper, hand soap, etc.
6. always make sure your liability forms are iron clad by having a lawyer write them or look them over and always keep them updated at all times.
7. Keep your facility clean!

These are just a few things that come to my mind right away. Best of luck.

 

[Gerry Seymour]

Offering weekend seminars at the local Y was a reliable way to find a few students for me. Folks got a chance to experience my teaching style like taking a free class before joining.

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf]

Offering weekend seminars at the local Y was a reliable way to find a few students for me. Folks got a chance to experience my teaching style like taking a free class before joining.

When you did that, did you have a specific location for them to continue?

 

[Gerry Seymour]

When you did that, did you have a specific location for them to continue?

I did. The idea was for folks to be able to join right away. I did seminars that took 2 days (successive Saturdays), and started class the next week (also on Saturday). Mine were continuing at the same location, but I don’t think the outcome would have been wildly different had it been elsewhere nearby - none of the attendees were regular Saturday folks at that Y. Likely one or two fewer would have joined.

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf]

I did. The idea was for folks to be able to join right away. I did seminars that took 2 days (successive Saturdays), and started class the next week (also on Saturday). Mine were continuing at the same location, but I don’t think the outcome would have been wildly different had it been elsewhere nearby - none of the attendees were regular Saturday folks at that Y. Likely one or two fewer would have joined.

I may somepoint soon call you to clarify that, since I'm a bit confused about how you had it working

 

[skribs]

Look into what's available in your community. My community Facebook group allows businesses to post ads on Mondays.

 

[Gerry Seymour]

I may somepoint soon call you to clarify that, since I'm a bit confused about how you had it working

Please do. I’m typing on my phone, so I’m not using enough words. I’ll be around most of tomorrow if you want - just text me first, to make sure I’m not at PT or something.

 

[jks9199]

Make a business plan. Review it with someone who knows what they're doing. Revise your business plan.

Seriously.

Right now, you're like a good cook wanting to open a restaurant. You don't know enough about running the business to do it right.

Maybe consider a program like Premier Martial Arts which franchises their name and "secret sauce" to make a successful business. Note -- I'm not endorsing Premier, or their approach -- just using an example I know of. I'm sure there are others.