Martial arts school with your own studio

Families with children, teens and adults who sign up for ongoing memberships or class packages.

Recurring monthly membership fees, plus testing fees, uniforms, gear, camps, birthday parties and seminars.

• Advanced martial arts skill and teaching experience
• Managing a small team of instructors
• Marketing to local families
• Budgeting and handling lease costs

• Commercial lease terms, have a lawyer review it and be wary of long commitments before you have steady members
• General liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire staff
• Check your city or county for business license, zoning, occupancy and fire code rules
• Fixed costs like rent are due even in slow months, keep a cash cushion
• Waivers, child safety policies and background checks for instructors, check what your state expects
• Membership contracts and automatic billing may be regulated in some states, check before using them

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on the studio lease, mats, equipment and fit-out. Have a lawyer review the commercial lease and be wary of long commitments before you have steady members.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on membership numbers and your class schedule. Rent is due even in slow months, so keep a cash cushion.

Check your city or county for business license, zoning, occupancy and fire code rules. Also check workers' compensation once you hire, waivers, child safety policies, instructor background checks, and whether your state regulates membership contracts and automatic billing.