So, how's that karate school thing going?

Last month I enrolled in two adult-education courses. One course was in introduction to starting a small business. The other was an introduction to basic fitness theory. The purpose for taking these two courses was to jump-start my dream of starting a Tang Soo Do studio.

The small business course discussed the details of opening a small business such as, writing a business plan, doing market research, registering a business name, seeking financing, etc. There is a lot of work involved in starting a small business, like a martial arts studio for instance. There’s a lot to think about, such as liability insurance, rent, purchasing equipment, finding suppliers… just mind boggling really. After taking the course I realized one very important thing. I am not really interested in starting a small business. I just want to teach Tang Soo Do. Starting a small business sounds like a lot of work, and folks, I already have a job. Teaching and practicing Tang Soo Do is a lot of fun. Frankly, I’m just in it for the fun. So other than registering the name “True North Martial Arts”, I’m going to wait before I get involved in the whole “running-a-studio” thing.

The other course was provided by the YMCA. You see, since there are no other WTSDA affliated studios in Ontario, I’ve been practicing all by my lonesome. That my friends, gets boring after a year and a half, so I’ve also been varying my workouts by taking cardio-kickboxing at the YMCA. I’ve also been volunteering at the “Y”, hosting one-hour self-defense clinics every other month or so. Well, those clinics have raised some interest in my teaching style, and Crystal, the volunteer coordinator suggested that I become a certified as a YMCA fitness instructor. Becoming certified would enable me to do the following:

1) Volunteer as a group cardio-kickboxing instructor;
2) Allow me the chance to increase the frequency of the self-defense classes from every other month, to once a week; and
3) Perhaps pave the way to start a regular Tang Soo Do program at the YMCA.

The great thing about a YMCA based program is that it allows me to teach without having to worry about the vagaries of running a business (rent, liability, etc would be covered by the Y). The unfortunate thing about the YMCA program is that I would have to run the program without profit. This means that I would have to run contrary to how some of the other Tang Soo Do studio owners run their schools. That may mean that the YMCA would have some influence in what I teach, which may affect the quality of not only the, instruction I provide, but of the students I produce. My master instructors have warned me of the potential dangers in that kind of trade-off.

As it stands, I feel that’s my best option for now. Wish me luck.