masherdong
2nd Black Belt
Where can I get info on starting my own school? I have a ways to go yet, so, while I am on my way, I thought I start doing some research. Any help is appreciative.
Starting Up a Dojo
- Thread starter masherdong
- Start date
First look at the way your teachers school is set up.
run a search here on school ownership i know we have had many threads on running schools and the problem encountered
run a search here on school ownership i know we have had many threads on running schools and the problem encountered
OP
masherdong
2nd Black Belt
- Thread Starter
- #3
Yeah, I did that and did not find much.
Brother John
Senior Master
small businesses for dummies
no kidding...
Your Brother
John
no kidding...
Your Brother
John
Shirt Ripper
Black Belt
I have read some of that book for a different purpose...easy to understand...for what that's worth.Brother John said:
S
sifu Adams
Guest
I would recomend going to as many schools as you could and watch the way the teach, how the approch you, talk to on the phone, how the school is laid out, and take notes on what you inpresses you and what depresses you. If you have time this would be a great way to learn. I would also recommend going to as many begginers classes as possable under your instructor. I sat through 50-100 white belt classes before I started my school.
I would also look at buisness side of it. do a search on fitness leaseing and look for a Inovative Leasing. they can hook you up with equipment on a lease plan. this will save on having to get a loan from a bank. I put in a cheerleading floor. its a 2 1/4 inch foam padding with carpet on top. they work will for padding and if you are in the right area you can do as i did and rent it to area cheerleaders. I get about $200 to $300 a week renting them out. that pays for the mats. Just a Idea.
I would also look at buisness side of it. do a search on fitness leaseing and look for a Inovative Leasing. they can hook you up with equipment on a lease plan. this will save on having to get a loan from a bank. I put in a cheerleading floor. its a 2 1/4 inch foam padding with carpet on top. they work will for padding and if you are in the right area you can do as i did and rent it to area cheerleaders. I get about $200 to $300 a week renting them out. that pays for the mats. Just a Idea.
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masherdong said:
If you are not doing so already, see if you can teach some private lessons. You will learn quite a bit about teaching by doing this.
Best of luck in your endeavors!
FearlessFreep
Senior Master
See if you can teach classes in the school you can attend. If you instructor will help yo to learn to teach his students, that could be very helpful in learning how to deal with and instruct students in a safe way
Don't neglect the business side; it's all supply and demand and marketing. Doesn't do you any good if you want to teach but there is a) no demand for your art or b) too much supply of your art in the arear already, unless you simply want to teach and don'tcare aboutlosing money
you can do as i did and rent it to area cheerleaders
Too early in the morning and the coffee hasn't kicked in...I thought you were talking about renting cheerleaders...
Don't neglect the business side; it's all supply and demand and marketing. Doesn't do you any good if you want to teach but there is a) no demand for your art or b) too much supply of your art in the arear already, unless you simply want to teach and don'tcare aboutlosing money
you can do as i did and rent it to area cheerleaders
Too early in the morning and the coffee hasn't kicked in...I thought you were talking about renting cheerleaders...
A great book is How To Open and Operate a Successful Martial Arts School by John Graden. he has some phenominal ideas. Another great book was the old Tracy's Business Manual, Al Tracy had some very practical approaches to running and setting up a school.
still learning
Senior Master
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Hello, Just some additional thoughts? Running a martial school is a business first. You are working for yourself, but in the real world you will be working for your students. Your hours must be on time and always open on days schedule, make sure when sick someone can fill in.
Parents and students will look up to you to be a role model to follow....CAN YOU BE ONE!!!
Read "How to win friends and influence people" by Dale Carniege
Teaching is a great experience and can be fun......but one must be honest and fair with one self and with others
Your outside life will be look at too......be GOOD
Just my thoughts................DO IT NOW! ...open a school! .......Aloha
Parents and students will look up to you to be a role model to follow....CAN YOU BE ONE!!!
Read "How to win friends and influence people" by Dale Carniege
Teaching is a great experience and can be fun......but one must be honest and fair with one self and with others
Your outside life will be look at too......be GOOD
Just my thoughts................DO IT NOW! ...open a school! .......Aloha
Do you want to earn a living from this, or just pay the rent on a school while having a regular job?
OP
masherdong
2nd Black Belt
- Thread Starter
- #12
I would love to do it as a living, but for now it would be like an extra hobby with incentive.
chinto01
Black Belt
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Have you looked into start up expenses yet?
1. Insurance
2. First and last months rent
3. utility start ups
4. Equipment
There is a book about starting your own dojo that you might want to search into on amazon. I wish I could remember the name but cannot. I skimmed through that and it had some insite.
In the spirit of bushido!
Rob
1. Insurance
2. First and last months rent
3. utility start ups
4. Equipment
There is a book about starting your own dojo that you might want to search into on amazon. I wish I could remember the name but cannot. I skimmed through that and it had some insite.
In the spirit of bushido!
Rob
There are several threads here on MT about starting a school.
Shirt Ripper
Black Belt
Rob Broad said:
Interesting. I have a friend that might find it informative.
Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
masherdong said:
You can probably do this with a low profile and low expenses, but it would be a good idea to get some business guidance. There are a couple of books out there regarding running specifically a martial arts school. One has been mentioned, and I know of another one but cant remember the title or author. do some research and make sure you don't mess around with the tax implications. avoid these kind of problems like the plague. better to be up front with this and avoid trouble, then dig yourself out of a hole.
I started a thread a while ago called "How to open a school for under $10"
http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17700
You might find it helpful.
http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17700
You might find it helpful.
masherdong said:
You may want to talk to your instructor and see if he/she can offer you some suggestions. It may be possible for you to set up a 2nd school, under your instructor. That way, you'll still have some guidance until you're able to go out on your own. Of course, make sure you understand the business end of things. Start off looking for a small place. Better to start off small and be able to pay the bills, than start with a huge place and end up having to shut down.
Good luck!!!
Mike
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As MJS stated, it's better to start small, and expand as you see fit.
Remember, the building that you are going to be using is just that; a building. The "real" part of the dojo will be you, and the people in the organization. If you find that your current building is getting small, then you can always expand, or find a larger place.
You can always check out various lower cost places, such as the local schools, churches, your local YMCA / YWCA buildings, various dance studios or yoga clubs (since they might not be using the building every day), etc. Also, speak with the folks at the local elementary schools, and see if they might be interested in letting you set up a program there. The kids are a vital aspect to one's dojo.
As Sifu Adams stated, he's willing to share the rent with other organizations. You could be on the flip side of the coin with someone else in your area. Ask around, scout out various buildings, and so forth. You might find someone willing to share the rent with you.
Once you've built up enough of a consistent (and I emphasize consistent) core of people, and can maintain a decent sized group, then you can look at relocating elsewhere if your current building starts getting small.
Getting the building is just one step, of course; you have to have a decent idea of business operations, budget plannings, insurance, and all of the stuff that everyone else has already mentioned. If your current teacher has already given you the knowledge of the operations and workings of a dojo, then that's a good step.
Remember, the building that you are going to be using is just that; a building. The "real" part of the dojo will be you, and the people in the organization. If you find that your current building is getting small, then you can always expand, or find a larger place.
You can always check out various lower cost places, such as the local schools, churches, your local YMCA / YWCA buildings, various dance studios or yoga clubs (since they might not be using the building every day), etc. Also, speak with the folks at the local elementary schools, and see if they might be interested in letting you set up a program there. The kids are a vital aspect to one's dojo.
As Sifu Adams stated, he's willing to share the rent with other organizations. You could be on the flip side of the coin with someone else in your area. Ask around, scout out various buildings, and so forth. You might find someone willing to share the rent with you.
Once you've built up enough of a consistent (and I emphasize consistent) core of people, and can maintain a decent sized group, then you can look at relocating elsewhere if your current building starts getting small.
Getting the building is just one step, of course; you have to have a decent idea of business operations, budget plannings, insurance, and all of the stuff that everyone else has already mentioned. If your current teacher has already given you the knowledge of the operations and workings of a dojo, then that's a good step.
Grenadier said:
Thats an excellent point! Im sure a place like the Y or a church would be very receptive towards giving kids an activity after-school.
I've never done any research there, but Id be willing to bet that it would be fairly inexpensive compared to actually owning your own place.
Mike
