I want to start my own MA school. Any advice?

[shanny_kimura]

One of my dreams is to open up my own martial arts school. I am teaching students of all ages but not in a school. Just on my spare time. I currently train in 10 different martial arts. And have a schedule for each and everyone of the students that want to learn. I never train a fighter the same way. But if I open my school it will be strictly same training as everyone else. I was just wondering what advice do you guys have for me ? The schedule is set. I am I'm negotiations for a small building that's perfectly sized that I could rent. Just want to hear your advice and tips. Thanks ! OSSSUUU

[Lupin1]

I have no experience with this, I'm just passing on advice I've heard repeated over and over again (I'm sure those who own their own dojos can be much more specific). DON'T NEGLECT THE BUSINESS ASPECT OF YOUR BUSINESS. You can be an amazing martial artist, but if you can't handle the books, manage your profits and expenses, attract and retain the optimum number of students, etc, your business won't last long. Study that aspect like it's a new art and employ it in everything you do. You can't get lazy with it. You can't ignore it. You have to be a businessman first and a martial artist second or else partner up with someone who does know how to run a business and run it well if you want to concentrate entirely on the art and on teaching. Just whatever you do, don't neglect that aspect or you're better off keeping your day job and going to local Boys and Girls Clubs or YMCAs or churches and asking to start up a non-profit program there. If you can't keep the lights on, you won't be doing much good for your students.

A harsh reality, but a reality.

PS-- Not meant to discourage you in any way. That sounds like an amazing goal. You just hear too many stories of very passionate people following their passions to open their own business and then crashing and burning because they're all about their passion and neglect the business part. It's always sad to see happen. But if you're willing to either perfect your business skills along with your martial arts skills or find a business-savy partner, follow your dreams, man!

[oitsuki]

@Lupin1 I agree on everything you said

[bushido_man96]

When starting a new business, its typically a good practice to have enough funds on hand to be able to run the business for 3 months, not relying on anything the school may take in.

Another important factor is to have a focus and a goal. It sounds like you're experienced in lots of MAs. So what's your plan? Are you teaching a mixed curriuclum? Teaching one main style with some extras from the others thrown in? Will students attain rank in your school, and if so, in what style(s)? Do you have a curriculum? Those need to be answered before you open, as well.

Good luck in your venture.

[shanny_kimura]

When starting a new business, its typically a good practice to have enough funds on hand to be able to run the business for 3 months, not relying on anything the school may take in.

Another important factor is to have a focus and a goal. It sounds like you're experienced in lots of MAs. So what's your plan? Are you teaching a mixed curriuclum? Teaching one main style with some extras from the others thrown in? Will students attain rank in your school, and if so, in what style(s)? Do you have a curriculum? Those need to be answered before you open, as well.

Good luck in your venture.

Thank you sir. And yes I have one specific curriculum for each and every art. A lot of requirements also. I will never mix two arts together. If one of the students would want to fight amateur well then yes. But except that I am all out traditional.

[bushido_man96]

Just to double check you here, you plan on opening a school and having 10 different styles available to gain rank in?

When will you schedule all these time slots for these students, just out of curiosity?

[shanny_kimura]

Just to double check you here, you plan on opening a school and having 10 different styles available to gain rank in?

When will you schedule all these time slots for these students, just out of curiosity?

Oh I won't teach every student alone !!! Like private lessons. Ill teach in groups. The ppl I train now their are maybe 15 of them ? Give or take. The method is like this. Stretch, warm up all together. Then we use go over 2 techniques in an hour. Whether its a sweep, pass, submissions, transitions, or whatever I will demonstrate with my highest level student then the whole group watches and does it. If they have any questions or concern they ask. That's about it.

[Lupin1]

Just to double check you here, you plan on opening a school and having 10 different styles available to gain rank in?

When will you schedule all these time slots for these students, just out of curiosity?

Oh I won't teach every student alone !!! Like private lessons. Ill teach in groups. The ppl I train now their are maybe 15 of them ? Give or take. The method is like this. Stretch, warm up all together. Then we use go over 2 techniques in an hour. Whether its a sweep, pass, submissions, transitions, or whatever I will demonstrate with my highest level student then the whole group watches and does it. If they have any questions or concern they ask. That's about it.

I think what he's asking is how where will you fit in the time slots for all these classes? Will you be holding four or five adult classes a day in addition to kids' classes?

[AdamKralic]

The number one reason why every business fails is lack of money. 3 months is not NEAR enough money in my opinion.

There are businesses (successful ones at that) that did not turn a profit until YEAR 5. I fully understand that getting 5 year's worth of operating money will be next to impossible for the vast majority of us. Just throwing that out there.

I would absolutely not start without atleast a full year's worth of complete expense money.

That includes: rental of building, ALL utilities, a advertising budget, equipment purchase, insurance and six things that you won't think about until you really study the total costs of this exact enterprise.

[shanny_kimura]

Just to double check you here, you plan on opening a school and having 10 different styles available to gain rank in?

When will you schedule all these time slots for these students, just out of curiosity?

Oh I won't teach every student alone !!! Like private lessons. Ill teach in groups. The ppl I train now their are maybe 15 of them ? Give or take. The method is like this. Stretch, warm up all together. Then we use go over 2 techniques in an hour. Whether its a sweep, pass, submissions, transitions, or whatever I will demonstrate with my highest level student then the whole group watches and does it. If they have any questions or concern they ask. That's about it.

I think what he's asking is how where will you fit in the time slots for all these classes? Will you be holding four or five adult classes a day in addition to kids' classes?

MMA school schedule

--MON--

BJJ (GI) 830am - 930am

TaeKwonDo 930am - 1030am

Wrestling 1030am - 1130am

-----

BJJ (GI) 530pm - 630pm

BJJ (no-GI) 630pm - 730pm

TaeKwonDo 730pm - 830pm

Shotokan 830pm - 930pm

--TUE--

BJJ (no-GI) 830am - 930am

Judo 930am - 1030am

Kickboxing 1030am - 1130am

-----

BOOTCAMP 330pm - 430pm

BJJ (no-GI) 430pm - 530pm

Judo 530pm - 630pm

Boxing 630pm - 730pm

Kenpo 730pm - 830pm

Kyokushin 830pm - 930pm

--WED--

BJJ (GI) 830am - 930am

Shotokan 930am - 1030am

Kyokushin 1030am - 1130am

TaeKwonDo 1130am - 1230pm

-----

BJJ (GI) 430pm - 530pm

Wrestling 530pm - 630pm

Boxing 630pm - 730pm

TaeKwonDo 730pm - 830pm

Muay-Thai 830pm - 930pm

--THU--

Judo 930am - 1030am

Muay-Thai 1030am - 1130am

TaeKwonDo 1130am - 1230pm

-----

BOOTCAMP 330pm - 430pm

Kickboxing 430pm - 530pm

Judo 530pm- 630pm

TaeKwonDo 630pm - 730pm

Kenpo 630pm - 730pm

Muay-Thai 730pm - 830pm

--FRI--

BJJ (GI) 830am - 930am

Judo 930am - 1030am

TaeKwonDo 1030am - 1130am

-----

BJJ (GI) 430pm - 530pm

Judo 530pm - 630pm

TaeKwonDo 630pm - 730pm

Kyokushin 730pm - 830pm

Shotokan 830pm - 930pm

--SAT--

TaeKwonDo 800am - 900am

Judo 900am - 1000am

BJJ (no-GI) 1000am - 1100am

Wrestling 1100am - 1200pm

-----

Boxing 100pm - 200pm

Muay-Thai 200pm - 300pm

Kenpo 300pm - 400pm

Shotokan 400pm - 500pm

Kyokushin 500pm - 600pm

Kickboxing 600pm - 700pm

MMA/fight night 700pm - 900pm

--SUN--

Muay-Thai 1100am - 1200pm

BJJ ( no-GI) 1200pm - 100pm

Open roll 100pm - 200pm

TaeKwonDo 300pm - 400pm

Wrestling 400pm - 500pm

Boxing 500pm - 600pm

Aikido 600pm - 700pm

Wing Chun 700pm - 800pm

Open roll 800pm - 930pm

I have a couple of instructors with me. But I'd be doing most of the classes. But not all cuz I'm only human right. I am not doing an adults class/advanced class when I start. I will only determine that after I see the numbers I have. I know not everyone will be satisfied with those hours that's why I'd ask everyone what would be suitable for them. A lot of ppl want me to open up the school because they "like" my style. And the way I teach works, a girl used my techniques when someone tried to rape her. She used some Gracie Jiu-Jitsu techniques I showed her and I was so flattered. So that was a big confidence booster, big confidence booster for the girl that performed those techniques in a self Defense situation also. So proud of her