PART 3 – Important food for thought
PC or laptop?
An inexpensive laptop and scheduling software to keep on top of your week and coaches and general computer business functions. I am finding more and more facilities using laptops for their portability when combined with simple wireless Internet service. You can run one machine and then you can expand to use your older or cheaper laptop just for programming.
The programming software is simple database software and does not require much of what makes computers expensive. (Microsoft has client appointment software that may have come bundled with your PC or laptop. Check before you buy what you already have.)
I HIGHLY recommend that you start writing a short newsletter for ALL of your students and their parents. Adjust it to the specific time of year or season. I time per month isn’t asking too much to show your interest in your students and it will pay big dividends in the short and long term… Use the Baseball Tips articles (I have no problem with this IF you credit Baseball Tips, Softball- Tips and the article-specific author). Knowledge is a powerful thing, and in this case, it costs nothing more than your time.
A comfortable room for parents… especially for mom
A clean cloth sofa and a few chairs plus a couple of inexpensive magazine subscriptions won’t break the bank and will go a long way. Think of a way to dispense or sell some drinks too
Know this:
If mom isn’t happy…no one is happy…she’s an important part of your future and runs the family calendar, so make her comfortable and supportive from day 1!
Concessions and Sale of Baseball Equipment
Do you really want to try to compete with the local sporting goods stores? Is this going to be a big part of your business plan? In addition to drinks and batting mitts, you may want to give some serious thought to this aspect of your business. And now that I think about it, batting gloves are available locally, come in various sizes and colors without making much of a profit either… at least not enough to shape your month. So:
- Dive in if you’re convinced it’s a viable profit center and staff will always be able to serve customers during all business hours. Know that you have your problems and that you will be tying up more cash than you thought… no matter what!
- Take only what is needed…like something to drink for the gamers, moms and little brothers…you can always add to this part of your business later.
Choose a location and expand on the cheap:
Just as a new bat is not a better hitter, prime real estate does not ensure a successful training facility. It’s actually a key benefit in this business because unlike, say, a dry cleaner, it doesn’t have to be as convenient because you probably don’t have competition on every corner. As word spreads, baseball families will find you, especially with a little guerrilla-type marketing! You and your sincere interest, your teachers and your services will fuel your success!
(Read the book called Guerrilla Marketing for some great, inexpensive ideas to jumpstart your opening.)
A location on the main street or in a strip mall is unnecessary and expensive, so keep those extra rental dollars in your pocket or in your business plan! Overhead expenses can kill a fledgling young business.
Go out the back door: This is an often overlooked thought.
If you have any areas outside and behind your building… think in terms of how it can be added to your stations or cages; therefore, “at a low price”.
You’ll probably be missing a batting cage or pitching tunnel during your working hours, so give us a call if you’d like some ideas on a free-standing batting cage or two (all can be removed during slow or cold seasons). Even our outdoor portable pitcher mounds are durable enough for the outdoors, yet portable enough to bring indoors!