Business Overview:
Starting a paintball business is a great way to turn your hobby into a business while giving people the opportunity to shoot at each other in good fun. Paintball facilities can be outdoors or indoors and supply paintball guns, paintballs, protective gear and a course of some type that allows participants to plan covert ops and stealthily plot the ambush of their opponents. This fun business does take a great deal of planning, however, so it’s a good idea to draft a business plan to make sure you have addressed every detail before you get too far. First, you’ll need to decide if you want an indoor or outdoor facility. In warmer climates, outdoor facilities are preferable as they give customers the “hunting” feel of being outside in nature. You’ll need to find an area large enough that a dozen or so people can move around without being detected. If the area is not wooded, you can erect barricades in an open field that act as hiding places. If you live in a colder climate with harsh winters, you should consider an indoor facility. Obviously the bigger the better but there are limitations with a built structure so you will have to spend more time designing the interior of your playing field. Talk to your insurance agent to see what type of insurance is necessary for this type of business. You’ll need coverage not only for your business but for your clients as well so that you’re not liable in case of injury. In the US, this liability insurance can be provided by the American Paintball League. Once you have your facility set up and properly insured, you need equipment. Shop around to find the best deals on helmets, chest pads, goggles, paintball guns, paintballs and CO2 cartridges. Decide on a price structure that meets the needs of different customers. You may have a target area that customers can use for practice that can be rented out by the hour and can include the cost of paintball gun rental and a certain number of paintballs. Groups will be your biggest customers so be sure to have a variety of package deals set up that allow a certain number of people on your course at a time. Include paintball guns, balls and safety equipment in the package price. Be sure your customers sign rental agreements to protect your equipment in the case of irresponsible actions of your customers. Decide if your business will be open by appointment only or if you’ll have set hours on certain days where individuals can show up and play with or against another individual. Advertise your business in hardware stores and hobby shops; anywhere paintball accessories are sold. Also send flyers to area businesses who may use your services for team building exercises. Business ideas like this one require a lot of preparation before you start the business but you will find all your work is worthwhile when you see satisfied customers having a great time.
A Day in the Life of a Paintball Business Owner:
Your day will begin by checking your schedule for any appointments you have. If your course is open by appointment only, you will only need to be there when you have customers. If you have set hours, you will spend your day helping customers sign up for a paintball “hunt” and make sure they are properly prepared with balls, guns and safety gear. If you have hired a staff to handle the day-to-day operations, you will be able to come and go as you please and spend your day marketing your business.
About Your Customers:
Your customers will be individuals and groups interested in having a great time playing paintball.
What You Need to Start:
- Business plan
- Large area for playing field (indoor or outdoor)
- Staff (properly trained in paintball gun maintenance)
- Insurance
- Equipment
- Rate chart that applies to different types of customers
- Website
- Computer with finance software
The Good:
- Paintball is becoming more and more popular.
- This is a fun business to operate.
- It’s rewarding to see your customers have a great time.
- You are likely to see plenty of repeat and referral business.
- You can hire a staff to do the work for you.
The Bad:
- Start-up costs can be high.
- If you’re not properly insured, you can be liable in the case of irresponsible behavior of your customers.
Resources:
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