Full-Time kung fu school with its own studio

Families enrolling children, adults wanting regular training, and students paying for gradings, uniforms and events.

Monthly memberships, grading fees, merchandise and uniforms, and extras such as holiday camps, birthday parties and workshops.

• Advanced kung fu skills and teaching experience
• Running a business and managing lease costs
• Marketing to local families
• Leading and training assistant instructors

• Municipal requirements: check with your city or municipality whether a martial arts school is allowed in the unit (zoning), whether you need a business licence, and what applies to signage, occupancy and fire code. You may need an occupancy or building permit after fit-out before opening
• Commercial lease commitments, which can be long and costly if numbers fall short
• Commercial general liability insurance covering martial arts, plus property cover
• Police record or vulnerable sector checks for staff working with children
• WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire staff, with rules varying by province
• In Quebec, check French-language rules for signage and customer materials
• Seasonal dips in attendance, such as summer and holidays

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the unit, the fit-out, mats and equipment, and insurance. Lease commitments can be long, so check the terms. These are estimates only.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on student numbers, class schedule and whether you add instructors. Attendance can dip in summer and holidays. These figures are estimates.

Check with your municipality about zoning, business licence, signage, occupancy and fire code, and whether you need an occupancy or building permit after fit-out. Also check liability insurance, vulnerable sector checks for staff, WCB or WSIB, and French-language rules in Quebec.