how do you start

[FutureProdigy]

Originally Posted by Paedde

Maybe this Thread is interesting for you Building an MMA gym - Sherdog Mixed Martial Arts Forums

I wouldn't recommend trying to earn money first, just start building your dojo, do it for fun and maybe it starts running good. I wouldn't quit your job too, not many people will come to training when you are working.

I read up till page 38 and then got really depressed lol. I read all these stories here of people struggling to maintain their dojo but because of the North American UFC craze all these joe blows are starting up their own places, becoming extremely successful and then building a 2nd HUGE dojo

[GJEChamberlain]

Osu!

This is the Crossfit model for getting started. Some good pointers here for new dojo too:

1. Have fun – If you don't enjoy working out and training, no one will want to workout or train with you. The strongest groups work and play together. Find extracurricular activities for your crew.

2. Start small and get kicked out– Start in the smallest cheapest space available and move when you outgrow the space. Start in your garage and work out there until the neighbors either all join you or band together to complain about the ruckus. Running out of room means you can afford more space.

3. Industrial space is better than retail space –Industrial space is cheaper, has higher ceilings, comes with roll-up doors and is generally superior to commercial retail space. Be a destination location.

4. Don't kill anyone – Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially lethal threat to newcomers; be very careful. This is a very real and present danger. Avoiding “rhabdo’ should be the primary concern of first and second time workouts. Throwing a unknown newbie into an established group class is an invitation to rhabdo.

5. Master the basics – Only by insisting on good fundamentals will a group find success with CrossFit programming. The biggest training mistake we see is teaching advanced movements to folks who haven't mastered the prerequisites.

6. Harness the talents of your local crew – The plumbers, electricians, general contractors, fabricators, doctors, lawyers, and accountants among you will be proud to lend a hand. Thriving gyms depend on the resources of all their members.

7. Lean on Welcome to CrossFit: Forging Elite Fitness – The collective talents of the CrossFit family cannot be matched elsewhere. This project is ultimately Internet driven and supported.

8. Take photos – Document your group's efforts and milestones with photos and plaster the walls and the web with these photos. Make stars of your best and hardest workers. Build your program's legacy from day one.

9. Start with one on ones and then advance to group classes – The best group instructors have honed their skills through individual instruction. Only very rarely will an instructor without one-on-one experience deliver a professional product to a group. (Your attrition rate will also correlate with the number of your crew who begin with one-on-one instruction.)

10. Instruct, present, demonstrate – CrossFit is a fitness think tank; lead by thinking. Build your program to be a powerful resource for your community. Handouts, guest lecturers and presenters, discussion, and video will accelerate the understanding and progress of your crew.

[Shamo]

OSU

I was wondering, what kind of advice could you give someone who aims to open his own school, Sensei?

OSU

[ksan]

Dont let your despair show at anytime....

I helped start a dojo more then once, and its difficult and sometimes very demotivating.. dont let this show...

[Spirit]

I'm opening a dojo right now after 20 years.

Have lots of spare money
Do a business plan
do a profit and lose
Have double the money you "think" you need for marketing
for every person that says they will join count one 1 in 20
have a partner that you can count on
plan not to pay yourself for the first 2-5 years
Know the LAW in your city, town, state, country........
get insurance
get insurance
get insurance
know 100% than you do right now before you state to teach
teach at someone Else's dojo for at least 5 years on a daily or weekly bases
pick the best location possible that has parking
good location to transit it that is used in your town, country
have a teaching plan for each group and ages
have a back up teaching plan
have 5 other back up teaching plans to your back up teaching plan
be open to change you are not all knowing and can always learn from a new student
have a wife girlfriend or a person you trust and KNOWS your dojo plan and Can talk well to the public to meet everyone that comes in
DO NOT push the new students to hard to soon, special in a new dojo where their are no linage of students to talk and show the new students
work with everyone no matter how poor they may seem today, you never know.....
have patches and uniforms already in the dojo before you open
In fact have everything you plan to sell before you open, but don't buy to much at first.
BE HONEST to your students, your help and yourself!!!
Never ask your students to do something you never did or could do. They are not their for your pleasure they are their for theirs...
Never think someone else can show you how to do things.
Teach offense before defense... teach the punches and kicks before the blocks so the student knows what they will be blocking. everyone knows how to punch and kick maybe not good but they know...

OK that is the first 1/2 hour now the next 6 months plan and fully understand not what the other dojo's are doing now. But what they did when they first opened!!!
Talk to others dojo owners in your area on what marketing worked best, how they did this or that everything from a-z.
Only 2 things can happen they either tell you or they don't. But you'll never know unless you ask.

Have faith in yourself!!

Good Skill

Mark

[meguro]

Osu! Solid advice, Spirit. You should be giving seminars on dojo management!

To the above I would add the observation that customers are looking for as much bang for the buck as they can get. Wallets can only stretch open wide enough to accomodate a few discretionary expenses. Your competitors are not only karate dojo but commercial gyms, ballet studios, yoga studios, team sports. This shouldn't mean that students get a black belt up front, but you should consider making the dojo a one stop experience (exercise equipment, training advice, lot's of children's classes, pro-shop) immaculately clean facilities and a communal environment. Where children are concerned, parents will be anxious about safety so stress safety-new and clean pads and head-gear, well lit and clean locker room, high intructor to children ratios.

Also, look the part of whatever it is you're selling. If you're promoting karate as a way to lose weight, you've got to look like a swim suit model. If you're targeting the children's market, you better be able to relate to the kiddies. If you're going after the tough knockdown community, a few legit trophies on the mantel and a bat breaking demo every now and then goes a long way to building consumer confidence.

[seienchin]

Originally Posted by Shamo

OSU

I was wondering, what kind of advice could you give someone who aims to open his own school, Sensei?

OSU

Shamo, I have merged your thread into this one that already existed with plenty of advice about starting out. Have a read of the thread, and then post your next questions- as I am sure that there will be plenty!

[Dent]

Osu!

Some great advice and perspective there, Gentlemen! Something for me to keep in mind as well.

Osu!