Small CPR and first aid training center

Nurses and health care workers, child care staff, teachers, coaches, security and construction employers, and individuals who need or want certification.

Per-student fees for open classes, group rates for employers, and extra courses such as babysitter safety or bloodborne pathogens training. A regular schedule helps fill seats.

• Teaching and managing a classroom
• Scheduling instructors and bookings
• Marketing to local employers and groups
• Basic bookkeeping

• Authorization as a training center or site with a national program (such as AHA or Red Cross) is usually required before you can issue their certification cards; requirements, fees, equipment and instructor rules vary by program, so confirm them in writing
• Check with your city or county for a general business license or registration, and check zoning and your lease terms for commercial classroom use and any occupancy limits
• General liability insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire employees (check how your state treats instructors paid as contractors)
• Check your state for any approval needed for courses used in regulated fields such as child care or EMS
• Fixed rent means you need steady bookings, so start with a short lease if possible

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on classroom rent, training equipment, program fees and marketing. These are estimates, so confirm program requirements and fees in writing before you spend.

Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many classes you run, your pricing and whether you win employer contracts. Fixed rent means you need steady bookings. These are estimates only.

Authorization with a national program such as AHA or Red Cross is usually required before issuing its cards, so confirm requirements in writing. Also check your city or county business license, zoning, lease terms, insurance, and any state approval for regulated fields.