Karate club in a rented hall

Parents of children and teens, plus adults wanting fitness, self-defense or a new hobby.

Monthly membership fees per student, plus grading fees, uniform (gi) and equipment sales, and occasional seminars or camps.

• Black belt level karate or equivalent teaching rank
• Patient with children and beginners
• Class planning and safety awareness
• Friendly communication with parents

• General liability insurance, and check whether the venue requires you to be named on your policy
• Injury risk: use signed waivers and check what your insurer expects
• Background checks and safeguarding for working with children, check what your state, venue or any governing body requires
• Check your city or county for a business license and your state for sales tax if you sell uniforms
• Rental costs and lost slots if the venue changes terms, so avoid long commitments at first

Startup costs are typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on the equipment you buy, the hall rental rates in your area and your insurance. Avoiding long venue commitments at first can help keep early costs down.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many classes you run, how many students enroll and what you charge. These are estimates of revenue, before hall rental and other costs.

Check general liability insurance and whether the venue wants to be named on your policy. Also check waivers with your insurer, background check and safeguarding requirements for working with children, and your city or county business license and state sales tax if you sell uniforms.