Challenges of a new dojo

[Spartacus Maximus]

For the sake of sharing experiences and learning from others, I address these questions to anybody who has ever started a dojo.

What was the single most difficult problem or issue you have had to overcome in the process of establishing your dojo/school?

What was the solution and how did you find it?

[wayneshin]

Predominately logistics. Both times we opened new centres we had a solid student base to work with.

Car parking!! Although there have been sufficient areas both on and off street for memebers/parent to park safely and legally there are those that persist in parking in inappropriate areas eg those set aside for neighboring businesses.

The other would be the fit out. The costs for our latest dojo was somewhere in the order of $20,000 not including labour. There are always plenty of volunteers among the student body who want to be involved and have useful skills but channelling that and also make sure you are not taking advantage of them can be difficult. Luckily I had a Senior member of my club with far more "HOW TO" knowledge than I so I just told him what I wanted and he got it done.

[tallgeese]

Getting the building set up was our biggest headache at the outset. We ended up with more of a build out than anticipated. This can get expensive fast. It can also destroy your time. We were about three weeks behind schedule for our opening. Which doesn't sound like much, but it made us miss the first of the year fitness crowd.

We too started with a solid enough student base on the adult side. The kids were a different story. Building a program up from what is essentially scratch is difficult as well and can be mentally wearing.

Lastly, personnel issues can fatigue you. Instructors that may or may not fit your vision either have to be on board or move on. This can be difficult and possible fracture the club. Healing these wounds can take time.

[sensei8]

In short...

1) Business Knowledge

2) Money Management

These are the two areas that I struggled with the most when I first opened up my Kyuodan Dojo back in 1977.

Business Knowledge: Well, having a black belt, and I was a Sandan in 1977, doesn't mean that I had the Business Knowledge at all. To manage and operate a dojo requires the nuts and bolts of Business 101. I can teach...but I didn't have the required knowledge to do all that's required to manage and operate a business. Yes, a dojo/school, IS A BUSINESS. If you've overhead, like rent, utilities, supplies, etc., then your dojo/school IS A BUSINESS!

How did I overcome that? I went to two schools!

School #1: Los Angeles Valley College where I majored in Business Management. The sad thing is that I only went 1 year...dojo scheduling and raising a family ended that.

School #2: The school of hard knocks; d.b.a., the school of trials and tribulations. I made my share of dunderhead mistakes, and then I learned from them.

Money Management: I'm not referring to knowing how to manage private finances, even though that goes hand in hand. Can't manage personal finances, then one can't manage business finances.

No, I'm referring to business...the dojo! Have to have a student body to reach weekly and monthly and quarterly and annual budgets. That is important, unless you're a millionaire.

How did I handle this?

I had to learn the difference between needs and wants. I need to pay rent! I want to buy a motorcycle! I need to pay utilities! I want to go to Six Flags! The dojo can't take care of itself; it needs an owner/staff to care for it!!

I did demos and passed out flyers to get the word out about my dojo. Being in the San Fernando Valley in Southern California in the late 1970's did make it possible because the San Fernando Valley isn't a tiny town, and in that, it's population back then was hundreds of thousands. Word of mouth was, and still is, a vitally important way to increase the student body.

I'm a firm believe that is I take care of my family; I'm taken care of too. If I take care of my students; I'm taken care of too. If I take care of my dojo; I'm taken care of too. I had to learn to put EVERYTHING BEFORE ME!!

To do these two struggles any justice will take more explaining; it's not a short answer!!

[Spartacus Maximus]

Successfully starting a dojo always seem easier than it turns out to be. I always thought that all that was needed was a place, and enough skills and experience to teach. Business sense is not really a strong point in my case, but being careful is. One can never be too careful when making decisions and a dojo or any other business is not something one can decide overnight. Support from peers and one's own teacher can help resolve many issues.

[JR 137]

I'd love to open a part-time dojo when I feel qualified to do so. That's a ways down the road though.

I think the single biggest challenge would be getting students. "Build it and they will come" worked well in the movie Field of Dreams. The real world seems a bit more difficult. Especially when just opening the doors would be difficult financially. What if no one shows up for a while?

[Luther unleashed]

I'd love to open a part-time dojo when I feel qualified to do so. That's a ways down the road though.

I think the single biggest challenge would be getting students. "Build it and they will come" worked well in the movie Field of Dreams. The real world seems a bit more difficult. Especially when just opening the doors would be difficult financially. What if no one shows up for a while?

A recreation center is a great way to go, they advertise for you and there's no rent, they just take a cut. FYI if you ever go that route

[JR 137]

I'd love to open a part-time dojo when I feel qualified to do so. That's a ways down the road though.

I think the single biggest challenge would be getting students. "Build it and they will come" worked well in the movie Field of Dreams. The real world seems a bit more difficult. Especially when just opening the doors would be difficult financially. What if no one shows up for a while?

A recreation center is a great way to go, they advertise for you and there's no rent, they just take a cut. FYI if you ever go that route

Mentally filed for future reference. There's several Seido schools in NYC that operate out of YMCAs. Another trend I've noticed recently is different instructors in different styles teaching out of the same dojo, i.e. MWF BJJ, Tues Thurs Muay Thai, with another art thrown in. Not an MMA approach, but different people splitting the overhead, or others renting a few days from another like a sublet.

[Luther unleashed]

I'd love to open a part-time dojo when I feel qualified to do so. That's a ways down the road though.

I think the single biggest challenge would be getting students. "Build it and they will come" worked well in the movie Field of Dreams. The real world seems a bit more difficult. Especially when just opening the doors would be difficult financially. What if no one shows up for a while?

A recreation center is a great way to go, they advertise for you and there's no rent, they just take a cut. FYI if you ever go that route

Mentally filed for future reference. There's several Seido schools in NYC that operate out of YMCAs. Another trend I've noticed recently is different instructors in different styles teaching out of the same dojo, i.e. MWF BJJ, Tues Thurs Muay Thai, with another art thrown in. Not an MMA approach, but different people splitting the overhead, or others renting a few days from another like a sublet.

I was sharing a space if you remember, next to a martial arts supply store. I backed out of the situation. Things weren't right for me and that's another thread, BUT in reference to sharing space I was sharing with a Muay Thai instructor, escrima instructor, and another for if karate, and teaching my "integrated tang soo do". As for sharing, one of the teachers had a very bad attitude, and was not cut out for dealing with people IMHO, I couldn't help but feel it reflected on me because I shared the location. Clearly we were different times and classes but customers would come in unhappy on my watch at that pocation. Just something off the wall to think about in sharing space.

The ymca is good too, although I'll tell you our market is a very competitive one and finding space is the problem. I think that's the biggest plus in renting your own space bit as you said, will they come?

[Spartacus Maximus]

Getting a place before having people to fill it with can be somewhat risky. Especially if one has spent a considerable amount for the cost of it. If there is no other possible option, it is best to find a free or very minimal cost space to start and move to a more suitable place after building up to a few students.

Community centres or other similar public facilities are usually free or very cheap. If one has a suitable space at home it can also be done there, even if it is just one or two persons at a time.