Paintball came to us from the United States, where at first it was the entertainment of foresters and served to train soldiers, and later grew into a popular entertainment game that collects stadiums of spectators.
It is not so popular with us yet, however, the number of people who want to shoot at each other with paint balls and feel like a participant in the hostilities is growing steadily. Therefore, paintball as a business can safely be called a profitable business. Moreover, with the right approach, such a club is also a very promising occupation. We offer today to figure out where to start for those who are seriously interested in such a business idea.
Paintball: a business plan - the main
The main service that you will provide by opening your paintball club is renting out the equipment necessary for the game. After all, most of your customers will consist of lovers who from time to time have fun in a similar way with friends. Only true professionals in this business have their own equipment and guns for paintball, and there are only a few of them in our country.
What points should be considered when considering the idea of opening a paintball club?
If you are still questioning paintball as a business, then analyze some factors that will help you make a final decision:
- If you live in a small town, then you are unlikely to manage to organize a successful and profitable paintball club. It is best to do this kind of business in large settlements with a large number of inhabitants.
- If you want to open a paintball club as the main source of income, then to increase profits it makes sense to offer your customers a number of related services: organization of corporate events, preparation and sale of barbecue, beer, snacks, soft drinks, etc. In this case, you will be able to attract more visitors, which, accordingly, will allow you to earn more money.
- If you yourself are not particularly interested in paintball, it is unlikely that you will be able to organize a successful business in this direction. Since in this case it is not enough just to invest money in the business, it also requires constant involvement in the process, establishing communication, communicating with customers, organizing various events and events, etc.
How to legalize the organization of a paintball club
First you need to register as an individual entrepreneur whose business is the rental of sports equipment. Equipment for this game does not require certification. If in the future you move to a new level of business and start organizing official paintball competitions, then you will have to register as a legal entity. You will also need to contact the local authorities for official permission for such events.
Choosing a place for a paintball club
The organization of such a business requires the need for a certain space. It can be both a closed room and an open area. The choice, as a rule, is made on the basis of their own preferences and the size of the starting capital.
We bring to your attention several options for choosing a place to organize a paintball club:
- Land for rent in an entertainment country club with baths, saunas, pools, tennis courts, etc.Since people come here to relax and rest, there are many who want to run around with a paintball gun.
- The territory of abandoned enterprises and military units. Such places, due to their atmosphere, will attract customers like a magnet.
- Places on country campsites and tourist camps.
Keep in mind that investing in the arrangement of the territory will have in any case. After all, you need to fence the area for the game with a special grid, as well as organize locker rooms, showers, places to store visitors' belongings, etc.
Staff
Paintball as a business implies the need to hire a number of employees, including a client manager, instructor, game judge and equipment repairman. Quite often, one employee can combine part of the functions.
In the event that when opening a paintball club in the spring and summer, a lot of clients immediately reach you, do not rush to inflate the staff of hired employees. Since in winter, in any case, there will be much fewer visitors, and a large number of employees will be unjustified.
Equipment and supplies for paintball club
This item will represent the main article of your initial investment. The necessary kit for a paintball club consists of the following items:
- Protective uniforms: reliable masks, helmets, vests and knee pads.
- The form. It is best to sew it to order. However, keep in mind that there should always be a form in a wide variety of sizes: from the smallest to the largest. After all, your visitors can have a very different build.
- Paintball guns (correctly called markers) and spare parts for them.
- Air cylinders with reducers for each set.
- Protective synthetic mesh (about three hundred meters).
- Transport cylinder with a pressure of 350 atmospheres.
- Ammunition, representing gelatin balls with paint of different colors.
- Equipment for the battlefield (inflatable figures, wooden and metal shelters, obstacle courses from tires, etc.).
If you plan to provide your customers with additional services, then you will need to take care of the purchase of appropriate equipment, raw materials and supplies.
Advertising and promoting your paintball club
Without advertising, at least initially, this business is indispensable. Therefore, when planning expenses, lay a certain amount for printing leaflets, business cards, banners, creating your own website and contextual advertising.
It also makes sense to submit several PR articles to local print media on leisure and leisure activities.
Also do newsletters for companies in your city commercial offer to hold corporate parties at your paintball club. Today, such teambuildings are very popular not only in foreign companies, but also in domestic ones. In addition, you can organize special promotions for students by providing them with certain discounts and bonuses.
Also keep in mind that in order to grow your business, you must generally promote and popularize paintball in your city. To do this, try to organize large holidays, promotions and events, attracting the press to cover them. Collaborate with other clubs, hold joint paintball championships, because you all benefit from this.
Paintball as a business: the financial side of the issue
Perhaps this item is the most important. To a reasonable question: “How much does paintball equipment cost?” - it will not be possible to precisely answer, since everything will depend on the quantity and quality of the sets. However, the minimum amount required to start this business is 4 thousand dollars.
At the same time, the cost of renting the territory is not taken into account, since this issue is very subjective and depends on many factors.If you plan to equip your paintball club with showers, locker rooms, parking, and provide additional services, then the minimum starting investment will be from 10 to 18 thousand dollars.
