Wing Woo Gar
Grandmaster
What area are you in?
Starting a dojo
- Thread starter Monkey Turned Wolf
- Start date
OP
OP
OP
OP
Why would I do three finger exploding heart, when I can do a 1 finger exploding heart? And black belts will be guaranteed in one month - everyone should be a grandmaster 13th dan by 3 years in.
I do have something specific to set me apart, and a large focus on self-defense and the softer side of MA that's included in that. May or may not be a good business idea, but that's something non-negotiable for me considering how many schools don't touch it at all. Separate ads are probably a good idea though, thanks.
Beyond the brand name awareness (which like you said won't mean much for MA beginners), what do they actually do for you? My wife is still working so if they offer some significant benefits, I'm okay with a longer period of time to get a ROI.
Wing Woo Gar
Grandmaster
At least you have a larger population base there. I struggle to find new students, luckily I have a full time job. It’s tough to make it, kids classes are your money maker. I don’t teach children so I don’t have many students, usually 6-8 is a good night. Our Tai Chi Chuan class typically has 12-16.
Wing Woo Gar
Grandmaster
Also, I wish you the best in your endeavor.
Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
Make damn sure you carry liability insurance. Even if you are only teaching friends. They may not be the ones who initiate a law suit against you.
A couple years ago I stuck the point of a sword into my leg. I was practicing by myself in the back yard, it was entirely my fault, a moment of carelessness. A few weeks after being patched up in the ER, I received a letter from an investigator on behalf of my health insurance provider. He was asking pointed questions about who stabbed me, and it was clear that they were looking to assign blame elsewhere, so they could try to recover the medical costs.
Your friends may not wish to sue you, but their medical insurance providers might and they will have no control over that.
Liability insurance providers will want to know where you are teaching, so they can name the facility and the staff/employees as additional insured. I bring this up because I teach in the city parks, and the insurance folks insisted on knowing where to send a copy of the insurance certificate. I have permission to teach in the parks so it’s no problem, but I say this as a heads-up to make sure you have an arrangement in place and don’t just assume it is ok to gather and teach in the park, especially if you are collecting a fee. You are running a business on city property and they may not allow that.
A couple years ago I stuck the point of a sword into my leg. I was practicing by myself in the back yard, it was entirely my fault, a moment of carelessness. A few weeks after being patched up in the ER, I received a letter from an investigator on behalf of my health insurance provider. He was asking pointed questions about who stabbed me, and it was clear that they were looking to assign blame elsewhere, so they could try to recover the medical costs.
Your friends may not wish to sue you, but their medical insurance providers might and they will have no control over that.
Liability insurance providers will want to know where you are teaching, so they can name the facility and the staff/employees as additional insured. I bring this up because I teach in the city parks, and the insurance folks insisted on knowing where to send a copy of the insurance certificate. I have permission to teach in the parks so it’s no problem, but I say this as a heads-up to make sure you have an arrangement in place and don’t just assume it is ok to gather and teach in the park, especially if you are collecting a fee. You are running a business on city property and they may not allow that.
CoPilot-
Yes! Raleigh has several recreation departments and organizations that offer martial arts programs and may be looking for instructors. Here are some potential opportunities:
Recreation Departments & Community Centers
- Raleigh Parks & Recreation – Offers various programs, including youth and adult martial arts classes. They regularly update their class offerings and may have openings for instructors.
Search
How to Find Teaching Opportunities
- Contact Raleigh Parks & Recreation – They often list martial arts instructor openings for youth and adult programs.
- Network with local nonprofit organizations – Groups focused on youth development, fitness, and self-defense may be interested in martial arts instruction.
- Offer free workshops – Hosting community self-defense seminars can help build connections with nonprofit groups.
School & Youth Organizations
- Homeschool Associations – Many parents seek extracurricular activities for their children.
- Afterschool Programs – Local schools may have funding for enrichment activities, including martial arts.
I've worked with Homeschool Associations before. Be Wary.
I would go after Afterschool Programs that are looking for Enrichment programs to offer their kids. It may be a good way to tap into those markets where you can travel to their location. It's a good way to let people know that you are out there and to build leads.
That larger population size will make things much easier. Kids classes = Logevity. Kids usually will spend more than 10 years in an area. I tell people that if they are good with kids then go ages 6 and older. If you are bad kids then go ages 12 and older.
To get parents interested, then offer them family discounts. The one my school used was (I think). 1 child enrolled allows One parent to or child to attend for free. Then we had a family plan where 2 children enrolled means the rest of the family is for free.
I would pick 3 areas to focus on. Fitness being one. Self-Defense, Competition (hold your own) in the early start. The older crowd like those who actually know how to use the techniques being trained in sparring. Don't try to be ALL. 3 areas to focus the school's marketing for students is more than enough and it will make it easier to attract the type of people you want to train and teach.
Definitely this.
If you are a registered business, then do limit liability structure. This way if the worst ever happens only the business will take the lost and not your personal finances.
CoPilot -
Recommended Structure for a Dojo
For most martial arts schools, an LLC is the best choice because it provides liability protection while keeping taxes simple. If Monkey Turned Wolf plans to partner with others, an LLP could be a good alternative.
KenpoMaster805
2nd Black Belt
Good luck on your journey to start the new dojo
1 we’re are you located have you found a location to were you gonna start your new dojo
2 what kind of Martial Arts do you Teach
3 do you have somebody to do your marketing and advertising and also do you have somebody to do your website
4 how much do you charge per person
5 what time are the classes
Make sure it’s a great location
Starts with kids 1st because kids luv Martial Arts
1 we’re are you located have you found a location to were you gonna start your new dojo
2 what kind of Martial Arts do you Teach
3 do you have somebody to do your marketing and advertising and also do you have somebody to do your website
4 how much do you charge per person
5 what time are the classes
Make sure it’s a great location
Starts with kids 1st because kids luv Martial Arts
Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
Understand that liability waivers are NEVER iron-clad and do not take the place of liability insurance. A well-written waiver will establish that a student understands that there are risks to injury, and accepts those risks, and will aid you in defending against a law suit, but it will not automatically cause a suit to be dismissed. You still need insurance to help cover the potentially huge costs of defending a suit. And if you are shown to be negligent or responsible for an injury, you will still lose the suit. Your insurance will help cover the damages as well.
If you choose to go that route -- do it right, and get licensed as day care, and teach martial arts incidentally. I'm not aware of a state that requires this... but I think it should be standard. "Before and After School Programs" that dodge most of the requirements imposed on day care programs because they are "sports" or "education" are just begging for catastrophes.
A daycare may bee too much. Then he would have to do DayCare stuff. I worked day care in my early 20's I can't see myself doing it now.
isshinryuronin
Senior Master
The day I call teaching karate "daycare" I will slit my belly.
opr1945
Black Belt
I used to have a friend, he has passed away, who was an expert heating/air conditioning repairman. He decided to open his own business. His business failed after a couple of years. He tried to have his own business several times. It never worked.
He thought all he needed was competence in the service he provided. He was wrong. He also need competence in administrating (running) the business. Marketing has been mentioned, accounting, paying bills, doing taxes, keeping an inventory of supplies, insurance, just to name a few skills needed.
Here where I am there are several colleges that offer courses in starting a small business. Chamber of commerce as a resource. There ay be other local organization that offer help in starting a business. Maybe the government small business administration, if it has not been shut down. It is a big undertaking.
Good luck.
He thought all he needed was competence in the service he provided. He was wrong. He also need competence in administrating (running) the business. Marketing has been mentioned, accounting, paying bills, doing taxes, keeping an inventory of supplies, insurance, just to name a few skills needed.
Here where I am there are several colleges that offer courses in starting a small business. Chamber of commerce as a resource. There ay be other local organization that offer help in starting a business. Maybe the government small business administration, if it has not been shut down. It is a big undertaking.
Good luck.
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