Unlike some other forms of martial arts, the purpose of self-defense training is to help people ward off an attack. Because of this, you may end up working with police officers, martial arts instructors, and assorted trainers and managers.
Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
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Start a self defense training business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Self Defense Training Business
- Form your Self Defense Training Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Self Defense Training Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Self Defense Training Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Self Defense Training Business
- Get Self Defense Training Business Insurance
- Define your Self Defense Training Business Brand
- Create your Self Defense Training Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your self defense training business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Self Defense Training Business Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a self defense training business?
The cost of opening this business depends greatly on the location of where you conduct lessons. For instance, many self-defense instructors start out offering lessons out of locations such as their own home, clients’ homes, and public venues such as colleges and gyms (with the cooperation and compensation of the relevant administrators). If you go with route, you can start this business for less than $2,000; the majority of that money will go towards setting up a professional website (which may take about $500), printing out fliers and business cards to leave in the appropriate areas (this should cost $250 or less), and safety mats (which should cost $250 or less). The rest should be spent on advertising yourself via radio, newspaper, and possibly television, money permitting.
If you desire to have a standing space to conduct lessons, you should consider renting a studio apartment. It will provide the space you need for individual and small-group lessons, and you can typically get started with $3,000-$6,000 (this is assuming you have to pay first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and a security deposit; the exact cost will vary based on studio size and your region).
What are the ongoing expenses for a self defense training business?
The ongoing expenses of this business hinge on where you conduct your lessons. If you are conducting them from your home, clients’ homes, or public venues, then you have no real ongoing expenses except fuel, fliers, and business cards, and the cost for these will vary but should be under $200 a month. If you are renting a studio apartment to conduct lessons, you will pay an additional $1,000 to $2,000 per month on rent and another $200 or less on utilities. You should definitely consider getting liability insurance, which should cost less than $500 per year.
Who is the target market?
Some of your best clients will be young adults. Many of them may be living away from the support structure of their parents for the first time and are interested in actively managing their own safety. Such learners are typically receptive to your instruction and may stay students for many years.
How does a self defense training business make money?
A self-defense trainer makes money by charging students for lessons. You may ultimately charge different amounts based on the age of the student, whether the lessons are private or as part of a group, and whether it is part of ongoing training or a one-time session.
How much can you charge customers?
How much you charge customers varies based on certain factors. For instance, you may charge $40-$50 per hour for private lessons, or $10-$20 per hour for group lessons. You may consider charging more for an initial lesson (up to $180) and then less for follow-up lessons (such as $35 to $45 per hour), which provides incentive for purchasing ongoing lessons. You may also consider modified charges for longer lessons with children, such as $120 per 90 minutes to teach up to ten children.
How much profit can a self defense training business make?
How much profit your business can make is contingent on how many clients you have and what you are charging them. For instance, if you were able to conduct thirty-one private sessions in a week and charging $50 per session, then you could make over $80,000 a year, and it’s possible to do more sessions (this example is assuming approximately 31 hours of actual lessons per week). Keep in mind that the potentially very low overhead of this business means that the vast majority of what you make is pure profit for you.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Don’t be afraid to raise prices (within reason) as your business thrives. Once you have a steady stable of clients, bumping the cost of lessons up by $10 can move the needle nicely on your profits. Consider diversifying the kinds of self-defense classes you teach and reaching out to certain niche audiences to increase your revenue streams. Finally, always be researching and integrating that research into your advertisement: when groups like college students know the risk that may be at late at night and you have statistics to back it up, they are much more likely to see the usefulness of what you offer.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your self defense training business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your self defense training business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?
Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a self defense training business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
For information about local licenses and permits:
- Check with your town, city or county clerk’s office
- Get assistance from one of the local associations listed in US Small Business Associations directory of local business resources.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Release of Liability
To avoid liability and potential lawsuits, self defense training businesses should have their clients sign waivers. This waiver is often included within the services contract. Here is an example of one such form.
Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional release of liability form for your self defense business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.
Certificate of Occupancy
A self defense training business is generally run out of a studio location. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
- If you plan to lease a location:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a self defense training business.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
- If you plan to purchase or build a location:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your self defense training business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
Services Contract
Self defense training businesses should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership. Here is an example of one such services agreement.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Self Defense Training Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Self Defense Training Business.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a self defense training business
As mentioned earlier, it wouldn’t hurt to start out by advertising in local media such as newspapers and radio stations. However, fliers and business cards are surprisingly useful: you can leave them at gyms, colleges, business offices, and anywhere else you think people would be interested. As mentioned above, it’s important to have a professional-looking website and a healthy presence on a variety of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. This helps you reach your key demographic at virtually no cost and allows people to communicate with you and get key details about your business almost immediately.
How to keep customers coming back
In addition to the marketing above, consider offering some of your shorter lessons for free at places like colleges and high schools; this demonstrates your talent and will leave folks wanting to come back for more. You may also consider some traditional promotional techniques such as holding contests for free or discounted lessons and also offering discounts for those who sign up for multiple lessons. As for retention, one of the best things you can do is make sure your lessons are constantly evolving. Clients want to know how to be safe in a wide variety of situations, so making sure each lesson has new techniques and new scenarios will keep them coming back.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
This business is great for people who are already healthy and active; looking “fit” is one of the best ways to advertise yourself. A prior background with martial arts and/or self-defense training can be a major help, as is any prior background in fields such as law enforcement and security.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a self defense training business?
The bulk of any given day may be occupied by preparing and conducting lessons for your students. You may also spend time prospective for future clients, communicating with existing clients, reading current self-defense literature and advertising your business.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful self defense training business?
Previous training in martial arts, law enforcement, security, and/or self-defense are all helpful in establishing your business. Existing connections with law enforcement, college, gym, and high school administrators can also help you establish yourself more quickly.
What is the growth potential for a self defense training business?
While the most recent data for self-defense trainers is not available, the job growth of this field is modest, with the adjacent fields of fitness instructor projected to grow by 13% and kickboxing instructor projected to grow by 8% between 2014 and 2024.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a self defense training business?
Don’t forget the importance of branding. Spend some time coming up with an interesting business name and having a logo designed. Don’t be afraid to observe other instructors and reach out to them for tips on what mistakes to avoid when you are first starting out. Finally, make sure you have an active presence on social media: while this is important for most modern businesses, your young adult clientele will be particularly active on social media.
How and when to build a team
Most fitness instructors work alone. This often makes it easier to operate and reduces your overhead. However, there are some scenarios where you may want to build a team. This may include more people wanting private lessons than you have time to conduct, or maybe a desire to expand your brand into neighboring cities. You may also want to bring people on board so that you can offer certain niche services (such as women’s self-defense courses).
Useful Links
Industry Opportunities
- Self Defense School franchise opportunity
- C.O.B.R.A Self-Defense System franchise opportunity
- PKSA Karate School