How do you open up a Judo Dojo?

What%26#039;s the entire process from the idea to actually instructing?|||the first step is get the money you need to open one.





then go to your county clerks office and get a business license





next find a location. discuss the lease and build out procedures with the landlord.





then buy needed equipment





then buy insurance





then put together a class schedule that has room for growth.





keep in mind that this is just a broad list and there are a lot of small steps withing each of these goals. EX; the build out for me was the hardest because i had to install a bathroom and the place i selected needed a lot of renovations. how i got the money was i included the build out in the lease. normally my lease is 1200 a month but for the first 18 months my lease was 1600 to cover my build out.





Keep in mind that its about at least 10,000 to start.





as for instructing, put together a set curriculum and make sure all your instructors are aware of this. this is not hard because for most martial arts the system is pretty well put together so little modification to the training is needed.


EX: my white belts are required to learn 8 point blocking the first form and the first 6 techniques within Horse stance, half-moon and cat stance. along with Dojo etiquette before they next rank. my instructor knows my Curriculum so he know what to teach when to teach.|||david p has a good list.





i would suggest learn how to run a business take a few course, having an associates degree in business would be better.





you should be at least at the sandan (3rd degree black) level before you open your own dojo.


most organizations can be award the title sensei at 3rd or 4th degree.


the title sensei is separate from rank and is not automatically given.





i would also recommended to start off in a community center or a ymca, and build up a following before you get a store front.


this will give you a chance to see set up your curriculum as well as get your paper work in order, and get some good contacts with suppliers. when you get about 30 students or so that would be a good point to open up a dojo. keep it a few miles away the further you go the more students you will loose. you may have to also give the community center people a special price to get them to come.





people attract people starting a store front with no students is more difficult then if you have a few students. when people see other people working out they will be more curious then if they don%26#039;t see anybody.|||You learn up to Black Belt, preferably higher than First Dan.


You rent a gym with/without mats. Might be cheaper to find one with padded floors, so you wont have to buy them yourself.


After that you need to let people know you%26#039;re there. So use your connections, maybe taking some of your previous students from your previous Dojo. You%26#039;re going to need skilled assistants.


Then after that you%26#039;re all set and all you need to think about is how to afford all of this.