Wrestling school with its own training space

Local families, teens and adults who sign up for ongoing memberships, plus people who book courses or private lessons.

Monthly memberships, enrolment or grading fees, private coaching, holiday programs and merchandise.

• Strong wrestling background and coaching ability
• Running a small business and managing cash flow
• Marketing to local families
• Managing and training assistant coaches

• Council approval for the premises, since a sport and recreation use may need a development approval or change of use. Check with your local council
• Lease terms, bond and fit-out obligations, so get the lease reviewed before signing
• Public liability and professional indemnity insurance suitable for combat sports
• Workers compensation insurance once you employ coaches, and check whether they are staff or contractors
• Working with Children Check for all coaches, and a child safe policy
• Slow early membership growth, so keep enough cash to cover the lease

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the premises, lease bond, mats and fit-out. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on membership numbers. Early growth can be slow, so keep cash to cover the lease.

Check with your local council whether a sport and recreation use needs development approval or a change of use. Have the lease reviewed before signing, and check combat sports insurance, Working with Children Checks for coaches and whether coaches count as staff or contractors.

Estimates suggest at least around 30 hours a week, depending on your class timetable and whether assistant coaches help. Beyond coaching, you'll manage cash flow, market to local families and train staff, so business skills matter as much as wrestling ability.