Starting on a Budget

[Randy50]

Has anyone experienced the problem of trying to open a class on a budget before opening a full time professional studio?

Any ideas on opening or finding a place to teach the arts at such places as YMCA's, Church's, or Recreation Centers?

What is best? Churches, recreation centers, halls (what kind), YMCA’s, after school programs, sharing space with other Martial Arts schools or dance studios?

How did you go about opening the class?

Who did you contact?

Were you able to use financial control for billing of dues?

Your ideas and input are appreciated.

Randy

[Scott Bolinger]

Has anyone experienced the problem of trying to open a class on a budget before opening a full time professional studio? Well,thats deffenatly had been a problem. Wright now, I do a full time job, then I travel 54 miles to my studio and currently teaching 2 days a week, 4 classes in those two days.

Any ideas on opening or finding a place to teach the arts at such places as YMCA's, Church's, or Recreation Centers? Alot of times Churchs have space for start up. But you can also talk to your Chamber of Commerce, they may be able to point you in the right direction on whare houses, as well as talk to you City Manager. There might be city owned buildings that are not in use. I've seen different dojo rent from a city at $1 a month. Usually works for non-profits and you'll need to have a good business write up for that. At the moment i'm instruction at the "Ammerican Indian Youth Center", "NE Job Corps" and Nebraska Boys Ranch as well as doing personal training in my own home. I'm current looking at adding extra classes at the American Indian Youth Center. All of this mainly from word of mouth.

What is best? Churches, recreation centers, halls (what kind), YMCA’s, after school programs, sharing space with other Martial Arts schools or dance studios? The main thing i'd do on this is create your own business name, and have the other unbrella your business into theres and have a contract. So if you save up and able to pull out and have your own business, then your able to do that. But Insurance is usually the biggest issue on having your own dojo

How did you go about opening the class? I had people come to me, knowing that I taught kickboxing and wanted me to start up a class. And word of mouth expanded the business.

Who did you contact?

Were you able to use financial control for billing of dues? I try and get emails from my clients and email there bills when they are due.

[Randy50]

Scott,

You had some pretty good ideas.

I never thought about going to the Chamber of Commerce or the City Manager.

The idea to use your own business name and contracts makes a lot sense. I had a head instructor of a school ask me to start a class at his school teaching his Black Belts a different art. I used my name and style but he was signing up the students on his contracts. I learned the hard way on that one.

As for Insurance I found the AAU is pretty fair but the Fitness industry has better deals and coverage.

emailing the student bills with payment through paypal or direct deposit would probably work.

[Scott Bolinger]

what kind of deal did you get from the Fitness Industry?

[Randy50]

about $95.00 per year

Here are some links to check out also,

http://www.ideafit.com/membership/pro_insurance.asp

http://www.nestacertified.com/insurance.html

Here is a Martial Arts management group that has insurance also.

http://www.igomag.com/

With the AAU each student/member has to sign up and is a pain and the price has really increased in the last few years.

With the Fitness Trainer insurance your covered and everyone you instruct is covered, that includes private training, group instruction, at home, at their home or any studio or gym. Its the Best deal.