What difference does the location make

[Shawn]

Recently I've been thinking a lot about getting a permanent location rather than hiring rooms.

Finances aside, I was wondering what you thought about the difference between various different types of locations. Also for a permanently set up dojo, do you think it makes a whole lot of difference and why?

[Jinen Kym]

First of all you have to define your target market. If you wan't kickboxers and grapplers in the teenage upwards bracket it would probably be better in an industrial area (car noise and jovial conversations can get quite loud)
If it's kids and traditional evening classes perhaps near a high walk-by situation where it's less intimidating for some. Where parents can park, not too far from what they need to do and because of the high turnover of students as they go through the different stages of school. If you want a proffessional looking full time dojo then your probably better associating with a gym for promotional purposes and shared maintenance.

[unclefester]

I started out hiring places, then I leased a place and about 4 years ago bought a unit. It was the best thing I ever did.

With regard to location mine is not in a good place - I do not have road frontage and it is in an industrial area so I rely on a lot of advertising as well as road signage. Since moving in to my new dojo my school has grown 50% so I do not think that location is everything for a martial arts business. It would be a different kettle of fish if you were a retail outlet.

[Dean Whittle]

Some general rules could include:

close to public transport
easy access to parking (either onsite or street)
close to target market/population centre


with respect

[Shawn]

thanks guys, appreciate the feedback.

I've been looking at it and in reality, it would probably be a shed in an industrial area, or perhaps a small place in some local markets. It wouldn't be quite as nice as the places I'm hiring now, that is wouldn't have nicely painted walls, a polished floor or nice carpet, and nicely heated/cooled rooms.... but it would be ours. It means we could dress it up with relevant posters, signage, curriculum, matt it out and so on so forth.

I'm just not sure what's more important.

[Jinen Kym]

It would be nice to have a permenant place but you'll need to get a lot of people through the door. Water and electricity, council rates and insurance, security etc. all cost money. Maybe lease it out to a judo club on off nights. Personal trainers may be able to help out. Equipment can be bought through grants. Just need to get good signage and committed payments in quickly in the beginning.
Good luck. I hire the hall, no other costs. cleaners take care of the floors. Security not a problem etc. perhaps a roll out wall panel with all your bits on it would be better.

[Shawn]

Thanks Kym.

[andrewp]

If you run your own day job business....you can tie them together and it is a big tax deduction....especially if the dojo runs at a loss on paper (nudge nudge...)

if you have enough clientèle that would definitely come with you. Wish I'd done it years ago.

[Shawn]

Yeah, that would be great. Unfortunately, just a lowly employee....

[unclefester]

ah but when you do own your own dojo many things start to be tax deductible - like a weekly visit to church...I mean Bunnings...every Sunday

[Justin-san]

Well I think having our own dojo would be AWESOME Being the first (and only) KU school in South Australia we need to look the part. It could also be a very good selling point for students looking to train in a traditional setting/style. Hell if I was looking for a school and found one decked out with mirrors, mats and fusuma (how I picture this dojo to look like)and had a great system that would probably go a long way to help me decide to give it a go or not. But then again I am pretty vain

If this does come to fruition you can count on me to be there to help make it the best looking dojo in Australia and
if your ever looking for something to spice up the place a bit I found this site that does custom hand crafted kanji wall scrolls and other art work. http://www.orientaloutpost.com/ I just recently ordered two small wall scrolls from there to hang in my room. One says Budo and the other Mushin. I can't wait till they come

[Shawn]

Justin,
Glad to see I have your support.

Money doesn't permit at the moment I'm afraid, but I'll certainly keep my eyes open.