I ran a bjj gym for 3 years (closed it to move out of state). One mistake I made was renting retail space rather than warehouse space. I was paying $3,500 per month that increased every year. By the end, I was paying $3,700 per month just on rent for a 2,000 sf space. Way too much, but inventory was low at the time and I had to take what I could get. Next time around, I would go with a non-retail space for the gym.
You make an excellent point on the cost difference between retail space and warehouse space. Huge difference! Best wishes on when you open your new school. If you are ever in San Antonio please stop in and train with me.
Wishing you tremendous success and I hope the small business videos I have created are helpful. Please let me know if there are ant specific questions or topics I can help you with.
Hello coach! One of your old students here from 2017-2018ish. Love this video, it’s awesome to see helping out your students on and off the mat. Really drives home the community aspect of bjj. What I would be interested in seeing would be hearing what your experience was like on your very first day you opened the gym! How did you get students in and advertise yourself. And any other experiences you think would be beneficial while you were opening up. Also do you recommend having a black belt vs brown, purple, etc. and the pro cons. Keep up the good work, it’s my inspiration for today!
Good to hear from you Cody! Having a black belt instructor at the school when you open is definitely a big advantage in the USA market. Not because of skill so much as because most Americans see a black belt as an expert and really don't know anything about skill levels of other belt colors. I have trained with brown belts who are way better Jiu Jiitsu teachers than some World Champion black belts, but the perception of the novice customer is to go with the black belt. What I did to get new students on the mat is offered all students a 30 day free trial, so from the first day I opened I had students show up because it was free and I built momentum off that.
absolutely thank you so much for this information Semper Fortis! i really aim to make rectify a studio in 2 to 3 years. i'm currently a blue belt who would love to be the financier of a black belt in charge of the studio space that i would own. beside saving $$$, would you mind telling me what i could do NOW to get the most preferable start 2 to 3 years from now.
I suggest with a 2-3 year time-line to start looking for a black belt or even a person who is currently a brown belt and talk about a potential partnership. Plus analyze their work ethic as well as character. I have a video coming out in a couple weeks about hiring employees or selecting a business partner that will go in depth about this subject.
@@semperfortisjiujitsu 💙 i would love that very much, sir. thank you so much. this was actually deceptively great advice. i guess i never reckoned its the companion that's harder to save up for, in some sense, instead of the money
This is such great timing. Could you cover how much you would/should pay instructors? Not just lead instructors, but the helpers too.. Like the blue belts who help with the kids classes and stuff? Thanks for the info!
Absolutely! For me and my school what I have is that both my wife and I are BJJ black belts and she is also a Judo black belt, so she teaches the kids classes and I teach the adult classes and we haven't needed to hire anyone else. Anyone that is volunteering to help her with the kids classes on a limited basis I will normally just let them and/or their family train for free. If I was to pay someone to teach classes it is usually somewhere between $25 to $50 an hour depending on their skill level. Meaning a regular BJJ black belt $25 an hour and a high level competition black belt $50 an hour. Please keep in mind that is what I consider fair pay and there are going to be black belts out there that are going to feel they are worth more than that an hour and I respect that, but I am not going to hire them.
Awesome! Let me know if there is any topics you would like to see or clarification on anything I have said through the series. Made about 6 videos so far that will run through April and early May.
I'm glad it was helpful. Please let me know if there is any topic that I didn't cover in the "How to start a Jiu Jiitsu School " Playlist on my channel.
Fantastic video! I’m confident your channel will grow rapidly because of the valuable content you’re sharing. I was wondering how I can get in touch with you. I’m planning to open my own BJJ academy in the next 1-2 years, and I’ve already started working on the business plan. My main question now is about choosing the right location.
Thanks for the kind words and I am really glad you are finding my videos helpful. I created a playlist for how to open a BJJ school and talk about the location selection th-cam.com/play/PLOzai3sHJLriEd1KoVyVncsk3nj_Jowaj.html&si=9Uo0duevm7ArZh9A
Thanks for the great information! I was wondering if you could give some numbers on how many students joined month by month until you were in the red from when you opened your doors. And about how many students you kind of hover at this many years later? Thanks
I believe it took approximately 4-5 months before we had enough students to cover the cost of operating. Overall our first year we were in the red, but have been profitable since then. Our student population stays somewhere between 150 to 200 students.
Hey Professor, What are your thoughts on garage gyms, and do you get concerned when one of your students starts to show interest in opening up a gym? Is there an appropriate way yo discuss this with your gym professor that ensures the upmost respect? I am relectuctant to broach this subject with my professors because I dont want them to see me as a competitor.
I think garage gyms are a great way to build up a student base before you commit a lot of money into retail space rent. As far as competition with your professor just talk with them about your plans and maybe affiliate under your current school. For instance one of my brown belts recently opened a school 7 miles away from my school and the school is an affiliate under me so I go teach there from time to time as well as my other black belts and we do their belt promotions.
For more information on Semper Fortis Jiu Jiitsu www.texasbjj.com
I ran a bjj gym for 3 years (closed it to move out of state). One mistake I made was renting retail space rather than warehouse space. I was paying $3,500 per month that increased every year. By the end, I was paying $3,700 per month just on rent for a 2,000 sf space. Way too much, but inventory was low at the time and I had to take what I could get. Next time around, I would go with a non-retail space for the gym.
You make an excellent point on the cost difference between retail space and warehouse space. Huge difference! Best wishes on when you open your new school. If you are ever in San Antonio please stop in and train with me.
Nice one mate. We’re planning to open a gym with my wife in a year or so. I’m very grateful for your insight 😊
Wishing you tremendous success and I hope the small business videos I have created are helpful. Please let me know if there are ant specific questions or topics I can help you with.
Literally the most helpful thing I've seen on you tube as far as this kind of info i truly appreciate it.
Thank you so much for the kind words. I sincerely appreciate it.
Hello coach! One of your old students here from 2017-2018ish. Love this video, it’s awesome to see helping out your students on and off the mat. Really drives home the community aspect of bjj. What I would be interested in seeing would be hearing what your experience was like on your very first day you opened the gym! How did you get students in and advertise yourself. And any other experiences you think would be beneficial while you were opening up. Also do you recommend having a black belt vs brown, purple, etc. and the pro cons. Keep up the good work, it’s my inspiration for today!
Good to hear from you Cody! Having a black belt instructor at the school when you open is definitely a big advantage in the USA market. Not because of skill so much as because most Americans see a black belt as an expert and really don't know anything about skill levels of other belt colors. I have trained with brown belts who are way better Jiu Jiitsu teachers than some World Champion black belts, but the perception of the novice customer is to go with the black belt.
What I did to get new students on the mat is offered all students a 30 day free trial, so from the first day I opened I had students show up because it was free and I built momentum off that.
absolutely thank you so much for this information Semper Fortis! i really aim to make rectify a studio in 2 to 3 years.
i'm currently a blue belt who would love to be the financier of a black belt in charge of the studio space that i would own. beside saving $$$, would you mind telling me what i could do NOW to get the most preferable start 2 to 3 years from now.
I suggest with a 2-3 year time-line to start looking for a black belt or even a person who is currently a brown belt and talk about a potential partnership. Plus analyze their work ethic as well as character. I have a video coming out in a couple weeks about hiring employees or selecting a business partner that will go in depth about this subject.
@@semperfortisjiujitsu 💙 i would love that very much, sir. thank you so much.
this was actually deceptively great advice. i guess i never reckoned its the companion that's harder to save up for, in some sense, instead of the money
Thank you for your insights. It's very daunting opening a school, and risky.
It is definitely a lot of work with a high risk of failure. Hoping my videos can increase your chances of success. Thanks for watching!
This is such great timing. Could you cover how much you would/should pay instructors? Not just lead instructors, but the helpers too.. Like the blue belts who help with the kids classes and stuff? Thanks for the info!
Absolutely! For me and my school what I have is that both my wife and I are BJJ black belts and she is also a Judo black belt, so she teaches the kids classes and I teach the adult classes and we haven't needed to hire anyone else. Anyone that is volunteering to help her with the kids classes on a limited basis I will normally just let them and/or their family train for free. If I was to pay someone to teach classes it is usually somewhere between $25 to $50 an hour depending on their skill level. Meaning a regular BJJ black belt $25 an hour and a high level competition black belt $50 an hour. Please keep in mind that is what I consider fair pay and there are going to be black belts out there that are going to feel they are worth more than that an hour and I respect that, but I am not going to hire them.
Sharing your wisdom and experience 👍✊️
Lovin it ✌️
Thanks my friend.
Taking notes!
Awesome! Let me know if there is any topics you would like to see or clarification on anything I have said through the series. Made about 6 videos so far that will run through April and early May.
Awesome content! Can you please speak on your most successful marketing strategies?
I am releasing a video on my marketing lessons learned on the 30 April 2024. Great question!
Wonderful information friend!
Thanks you! Hope it is helpful.
Very informative and positive. Thank you
Thanks! Hope you have a great weekend.
Awesome video, great information.
I'm glad it was helpful. Please let me know if there is any topic that I didn't cover in the "How to start a Jiu Jiitsu School " Playlist on my channel.
Great information. Thank you
Thanks! Have a great weekend!
Love your honesty
Thanks for watching and I appreciate the compliment.
Fantastic video! I’m confident your channel will grow rapidly because of the valuable content you’re sharing. I was wondering how I can get in touch with you. I’m planning to open my own BJJ academy in the next 1-2 years, and I’ve already started working on the business plan. My main question now is about choosing the right location.
Thanks for the kind words and I am really glad you are finding my videos helpful. I created a playlist for how to open a BJJ school and talk about the location selection th-cam.com/play/PLOzai3sHJLriEd1KoVyVncsk3nj_Jowaj.html&si=9Uo0duevm7ArZh9A
I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have. My email address is smalaziz@hotmail.com
@@semperfortisjiujitsu that's very helpfull... will check it out! thank you very much for all the information shared here. OSS
Thanks for the great information! I was wondering if you could give some numbers on how many students joined month by month until you were in the red from when you opened your doors. And about how many students you kind of hover at this many years later? Thanks
I believe it took approximately 4-5 months before we had enough students to cover the cost of operating. Overall our first year we were in the red, but have been profitable since then. Our student population stays somewhere between 150 to 200 students.
Gold
Thanks! I am glad that you found the information useful.
Hey Professor,
What are your thoughts on garage gyms, and do you get concerned when one of your students starts to show interest in opening up a gym? Is there an appropriate way yo discuss this with your gym professor that ensures the upmost respect? I am relectuctant to broach this subject with my professors because I dont want them to see me as a competitor.
I think garage gyms are a great way to build up a student base before you commit a lot of money into retail space rent. As far as competition with your professor just talk with them about your plans and maybe affiliate under your current school. For instance one of my brown belts recently opened a school 7 miles away from my school and the school is an affiliate under me so I go teach there from time to time as well as my other black belts and we do their belt promotions.
why don't you teach heel hooks ? I understand if you have only gi classes but if you do nogi ,why?
I teach heel hooks as well as strikes, but I don't allow either during sparring. Yes I only teach gi classes.
I heard the saturation comment a bunch when I started. Its totally not true.
I agree with you! Thank you for watching!
Great great advice…thanks a lot …..sounds like I need a wife though.
Glad to help! My wife has been a tremendous help in the business success.