Full-Time karate dojo with your own studio

Families with children, teens and adults who want a steady, long-term training home.

Monthly memberships, grading fees, uniforms and gear, birthday parties, camps and holiday programs. A bigger base of members is needed to cover rent.

• Advanced karate rank and teaching experience
• Running a small business and managing a budget
• Marketing to local families
• Managing and training assistant instructors

• Commercial lease terms, deposits and personal guarantees, ideally have a lawyer review it
• Zoning and occupancy rules for a studio, check with your city or county
• General liability insurance, and workers' compensation insurance once you hire staff
• Recurring membership billing and contract rules, which some states regulate for fitness and martial arts studios, so check your state
• Slow first months: rent is due even when enrollment is low, so keep cash in reserve
• Background checks for instructors who work with children

Startup costs are typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the lease deposit and terms, how you fit out the space with mats and mirrors, and the equipment you buy. Keep cash in reserve for slow early months.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on enrollment, your class timetable and your pricing. Rent is due even when enrollment is low, so these revenue estimates are not the same as profit.

Have a lawyer review the commercial lease, deposits and any personal guarantees. Check zoning and occupancy rules, insurance, state rules on recurring membership billing and contracts, and background checks for instructors who work with children.