Starting a school

[chef]

I am sure this has been posted on someones forum in the past, but I have a devil of a time finding topics with our search engine. If you know specifically any topics that have been discussed and can send me in that direction I would be indebted.

My husband is losing his job Dec/Jan and has been in the process of starting an insurance business. He really wants to find a close location and wants me to soon quit my job and help him in this business. He looked at a location that is the perfect size and used to be a dance studio, with mirrors and wood floors. He is pushing me to start a dojo. His hopes are to run the front as an insurance business and late afternoon/evening have me teach kids/adults karate classes 2-3 times a week.

This is all new to me although I have helped teach karate classes before. I don't have a clue of what insurance costs, what to charge, etc. He thought that I should charge $40.00 a month.....seems pretty low to me. I remember commercial dojos requiring a 6 month contract and charging $60.00 - $85.00 a month.

I need some feedback on how to get off the ground, what to charge, how to start up, etc.

Please advise or send me in the right direction to research the possibility of such an endeavor. Sounds daunting!

Regards,
Vicki

[MikeK]

Vicki,
You might want to start by visiting schools in the area and seeing what they offer and what they charge and what their contracts are like. If you are looking to put bread on the table then you have to look into teaching kids.

In regards to insurance you might want to start by calling insurance companies that deal in high-risk customers, Markel is one but is on the pricey side. Here's a link about them that gives a bit about what high risk insurance is about.

Here's a link to a past martial arts super show that has a few insurance companies as exibitors that may at least get you started. search on insurance

[CANDANeh]

Can save a great deal by joining an organization that i.e. promotes sports karate, doesn`t have to be Uechi.

[RACastanet]

Markel is HQ'd here in Richmond. The office is off of Willow Lawn Drive and located in the realy ugly round, dented aluminum foil building.

A while back I looked into doing something based on my hobbies and contacted Markel. A $million of liability coverage was well over $1,000, and I think that should be the minimum you insure for. After I looked into all the other details I decided to be a school teacher in my second career instead.

Rich

[MikeK]

Rich, Markel moved out of the mushroom/ufo building a long while back, they're now headquarted in Innsbrook.

BTW Their stock price is now $411.24 and they are considered a well run company.

[RACastanet]

Thanks Mike.

[Bill Glasheen]

You go, Vicki!

Remember that you have professional courtesy from me any time you want.

- Bill

[gmattson]

Whatever you do, don't charge less than $100/month!

And in spite of all the controversy over "professional" dojo vs "non-commercial" dojo, my advice is to run your dojo in a business-like manner from day one.

As an IUKF member, you may wish to attend our regular business meetings for dojo owners. We address different business issues that relate to traditional dojo and invite different business experts, like Gary Khoury, to address our members.

Most of the "funding" companies and other "business" companies advising dojo are primarily interested in making their member dojo into "mega" facilities with at least 500 students. Most traditional teachers who actually teach a system like Uechi-ryu, find the advice contrary to what they were involved with as students and during their introduction to the martial arts.

There is nothing wrong with running your dojo as a business, but it is kind of nice to be able to share these "business" formulas with other dojo owners who have been successful while retaining their traditional roots.

I'll let you know about our next on-line seminar Vicky. Hope you will join us. Again..... Good luck with what can be a wonderful experience.....

[Rising Star]

Insurance - www.karateinsurance.com

They have competitive rates and a good rep.

For hints, ideas, business plans, etc. there a couple of decent books to get you thinking:

"Starting and Running Your Own Martial Arts School"
Vactor and Peterson, Tuttle Publishing

and

"Teaching Martial Arts"
Kim, Turtle Press (this one includes a step by step guide at the end of the book to help keep you focussed on the timeline of starting a school)

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

John

[gmattson]

I use that insurance company, however, since I've never had a claim, I can't vouch for how good they are.... when you really need them.

Van is the expert on this subject, since he dealt with insurance companies when they had to "walk the talk"... and his take on this subject is the one we all should be following.

[f.Channell]

I know Lenny had them checked out by a student who's an agent.
I use them also.
I would add going to the most successful Uechi or other school nearby, but not too close, and watching several classes and see what they are doing right.
Even just looking at their schedule to see when they have their different ages scheduled. And what time of the week.
F.

[John Giacoletti]

Is an Instructor Certification available to you through your organization?

Does your organization have dan ranking requirements to open a dojo?

What type of oversight is available to you for belt promotions and certificates?

Are occupational licenses required from a municipality?

If you plan on teaching kids or on having an after-school program, you may be required to have a separate child care
license.

Be careful of what you call your school and style of karate. I think you have to have authorization of the Uechi family to use "Uechi-Ryu." Most dojo use some sort of a generic title that won't offend the Uechi family.

[Stryke]

I think you have to have authorization of the Uechi family to use "Uechi-Ryu." Most dojo use some sort of a generic title that won't offend the Uechi family.

Now thats somethng I had`nt heard before , interesting .

While the legalities and buisness parts are probably the most stressfull and overwhelming , IMHO the most important decision is the function and structure of what/how you want your group to perform .

finding a model of what will satisfy you personally should be the first concern , then finding a way to relate that to prospective students to get them in line , then how to make it work financially and emotionally so it`s not a burden .

It is an incredible comittment to teach . One I respect a lot .

[gmattson]

With the many "predators" being discovered teaching kids karate, (latest being another in Florida) its just a question of time before the government steps in to regulate karate schools "big time"!

I've been preaching "certification" issues for years to a non-interested Uechi crowd. Meanwhile the Koreans have taken over the traditional organizations' leadership and have now become the accepted authority in the USA regarding standards/policies for running a school.

Hopefully IUKF's certification standards and codes of conduct, will be acceptable in courts and we won't be judged by TKD standards in order to remain open.

There were attempts to enforce such requirements in Mass. a few years back, but fortunately enough politicians remembered that "other" styles were around long before TKD came on the scene and killed this bill. However, the issue isn't dead and with a few more "predators" surfacing and giving the MA a bad name, other bills will be introduced and will pass.

Where will your dojo be when the #$$@ hits the fan? How would you like to have your local 18 year old TKD 10th dan empowered to certify your teachers????

Keep your heads in the sand my friends.

[CANDANeh]

Where will your dojo be when the #$$@ hits the fan? How would you like to have your local 18 year old TKD 10th dan empowered to certify your teachers????

Keep your heads in the sand my friends.

Therefore...Is it not wise to organize in order to be accepted by govenment? In Nova Scotia being a member of the NSKA (Nova Scotia karate Association) gives certification to the styles/dojo involved as NSKA is accepted by Sports Nova Scotia (government body) and Sports Canada of course.
Being part of IUKF or any other Uechi association does not provide the "umbrella" of protection the NSKA can provide. Yes, it is a plus in order to achieve recognition by the Association(s) deemed or to be deemed responsible in recognizing a style/dojo. Unlikely government in NS for example will wish to deal with more than one Association in my opinion...No more than they would wish to deal with more than one fiqure skating organization for example.
Laying down differences in style...or within style in order to protect everyones interest should be a priority as yes in Canada changes are a coming(no I disagree but I disagree with taxes also).
The days of anyone teaching our children is fast coming to an end and unfortunately those who are not recognized by i.e. Sports Canada may find themselves unable to be insured, or use public venues. Unfortunate... But like taxes it`s coming.