Full-Time jiu-jitsu school with your own dojo

Families, teens and adults who train regularly and stay on as members, including those interested in competition.

Monthly memberships, grading and belt fees, gi and gear sales, camps, seminars and private lessons.

• Advanced jiu-jitsu skills and teaching experience
• Running a business: budgeting, marketing and lease management
• Building a community and keeping members engaged

• Zoning and a municipal business licence for your unit, and any building or fire code requirements for assembly use. Check with your municipality
• A commercial lease is a long commitment, so have a lawyer review it and be careful about personal guarantees
• Commercial general liability insurance covering martial arts, plus property cover, and WCB/WSIB rules if you hire staff (rules vary by province)
• Winter quiet periods and summer drop-offs can affect membership, so keep a cash buffer
• Child safety checks, signed waivers and any association affiliation required for grading
• In Quebec, check French-language rules for signage, contracts and marketing

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $80,000, depending on the unit, lease deposits, mats and fit-out. A commercial lease is a long commitment, so have a lawyer review it and be careful about personal guarantees.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $25,000, depending on membership numbers and class mix. Winter quiet periods and summer drop-offs can affect membership, so keep a cash buffer.

Check zoning, a municipal business licence, and building or fire code requirements for assembly use with your municipality. Also check insurance covering martial arts, WCB/WSIB rules if you hire, child safety checks, waivers, grading affiliation and Quebec French-language rules.