Small bouldering gym

Local climbers, beginners trying something new, families and kids' groups, students, and companies or groups booking events.

Monthly memberships, day passes and punch cards, shoe and chalk rental, intro classes, youth programs and teams, birthday parties and group bookings, plus some retail.

• Climbing experience and knowledge of the local climbing community
• Managing staff and a budget
• Customer service and community building
• Basic route setting or hiring route setters

• Zoning, building and fire codes, and a certificate of occupancy: check with your city or county before signing a lease
• General liability insurance suited to climbing, plus signed waivers: ask an insurance broker and an attorney how to set these up in your state
• Safety standards for walls, padding and fall zones, and staff training in first aid, CPR and safe climbing practice
• Build-out costs can run over budget and the lease is a long commitment, so negotiate terms carefully; this estimate assumes a modest space and a simple build-out, so get firm quotes before committing
• Workers' compensation insurance once you hire, and check your state's rules on sales tax for memberships and retail
• Membership income can dip in the first months, so keep cash reserves

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $250,000 to $650,000, assuming a modest space and a simple build-out. Build-out costs can run over budget, so get firm quotes before committing to a lease.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on memberships, day passes, gear rental, classes and events. Income can dip in the first months, so keep cash reserves.

Check zoning, building and fire codes and a certificate of occupancy with your city or county before signing a lease. Ask an insurance broker and attorney about climbing liability insurance and waivers, and check wall safety standards, staff training and workers' compensation.