How to Start a Gymnastics Business

[Pages:146]How to Start a Gymnastics Business

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How to Start a Gymnastics Business

2015 Edition

How to Start a Gymnastics Business

by Michael A. Taylor

Published by USA Gymnastics

? 2015 USA Gymnastics. All rights reserved. $19.95

How to Start a Gymnastics Business

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Disclaimer........................................................................ 6 Acknowledgements.......................................................... 7 Preface.............................................................................. 7 SECTION I - STARTING A NEW BUSINESS Chapter One ? Business Basics

Why do you want to start your own business? .......... 11 You are the critical factor............................................ 11 What kind of business should you start? .................. 11 Will your business succeed?...................................... 12 Becoming a USA Gymnastics Member Club.............. 12

Chapter Two ? Choosing the Right Legal Business Structure

The Main Legal Business Structures......................... 13 Sole Proprietorship..................................................... 13 Pass ? Through Taxation............................................. 14 Partnerships................................................................ 14 Limited Liability Company (LLC)................................ 15 Corporations............................................................... 17 LLCs vs. Corporations................................................. 18 Choosing the Best Structure for Your Business........ 19 Analyzing Your Risks................................................... 19 Government Requirements ? Federal, State, & Local............................................ 20 Free and Low Cost Legal Resources.......................... 20

Chapter Three ? Business Planning A Business Plan is Essential ..................................... 23 Outline of a Typical Business Plan............................. 24 Vision, Mission, and Values for your Business .......... 25 Facilities Planning....................................................... 25 Equipment Planning................................................... 30

Chapter Four ? Sound Financial Planning Start Up Financing...................................................... 33 Small Business Administration Programs................ 35 Establishing Fees for Your Programs........................ 35

SECTION II - OPERATING A GYMNASTICS BUSINESS Chapter Five ? Policies and Procedures (Organizing your Business)

Policies and Procedures Principles........................... 37 How to Get Started...................................................... 37 Employment Issues.................................................... 38 Operational Issues...................................................... 38 Manual Dos and Don'ts............................................... 39 Unwritten Rules.......................................................... 40 Documentation............................................................ 40 Preservation and Retention of Documentation......... 41

Chapter Six ? Human Resources (Staffing your Business) Employment Interviews.............................................. 45 Employment Principles.............................................. 47 Managing a Multi-Generational Workforce............... 47 Organizational Leadership......................................... 48 Employee or Independent Contractor........................ 49 Safety Practices in Hiring Staff................................... 51 Preventing Child Abuse............................................... 51 USA Gymnastics Background Checks........................ 52 US Olympic Committee Safe Sport Program............. 52 USA Gymnastics We Care Campaign......................... 53 TB Testing.................................................................... 53 Post Hiring Orientation and Training.......................... 53 USA Gymnastics University........................................ 54 Employee Overtime..................................................... 54 Vacation and Time Off Requests................................. 55 Employee Evaluations................................................. 56 Positive Coaching Your Staff....................................... 56 Mentorship in Gymnastics Organizations.................. 58 Characteristics of a Good Mentor............................... 59 Employment Rules and Policies Manual................... 61 Staff training................................................................ 61 Staff Responsibilities ................................................. 62 Performance Management........................................ 64

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How to Start a Gymnastics Business

Anti-Harassment and Workplace Violence Prevention.................................................... 65 Easy Ways to Reward Your Staff ................................ 65 Professional Memberships and Networking............. 66 Conducting Effective Staff Meetings ......................... 68 Employee Performance Evaluations.......................... 69 Seven Habits of Highly Effective Gymnastics Professionals............................................................... 70

Chapter Seven ? Gymnastics Operations (Running your Business)

USA Gymnastics Programs........................................ 79 Gym Culture................................................................ 80 Improving Operations Checklist................................. 81 Post-Registration Customer Service......................... 82 Teaching Gymnastics.................................................. 82 Benefits of Participation in Gymnastics..................... 82 Statistical Benefits of Gymnastics.............................. 83 Coaches Role in Developing Assets in Youth............. 84 Five Best Practice Things to Say When You Coach ... 85 Core Teaching Principles............................................ 86 Lesson Planning ......................................................... 86 Teaching DON'T list..................................................... 89 Points of Good Supervision ........................................ 89 Class Management..................................................... 90 Five Step Approach to Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution .................. 93 Positive Coaching a Competitive Gymnast................. 94 Student Responsibilities ............................................ 94 Parent Responsibilities............................................... 96 Conducting Parent Booster Club Meetings............... 97

Chapter Eight ? Risk Management (Protecting your Business)

Legal Responsibilities............................................... 101 Risk Assessment....................................................... 102 Risk Control Selection.............................................. 102 Risk Control Implementation................................... 103 Waivers and Hold Harmless Agreements................ 103

New Student Risks.................................................... 105 Insurance................................................................... 106 USA Gymnastics University Safety and Risk Management Certification........................................ 107 Administration Operations Risk............................... 107 Facility Considerations............................................. 108 Equipment Considerations....................................... 108 Participant Considerations....................................... 112 Accident Prevention.................................................. 112 Specific Safety Concerns.......................................... 113 Emergency Action Plans........................................... 114 Incident Reports........................................................ 115 Dealing With the Media After a Crisis...................... 115 Employer Risk Management.................................... 116 Managing Social Media Risks................................... 118 Blood Borne Pathogens............................................ 118 Contagious Disease Exposures................................ 120 Ergonomics for Coaches........................................... 120 Keep it Safe............................................................... 122

Chapter Nine ? Developing your Business (Helping your Business Grow)

Programs................................................................... 128 Equipment................................................................. 128 Services..................................................................... 129 Aesthetics.................................................................. 129 Fees .......................................................................... 129 Expanding your Business......................................... 129 Branding your Business........................................... 129 Communications Technology................................... 131 Social Media Marketing............................................ 133 Press Releases.......................................................... 134 Annual Program Reviews......................................... 136 Dealing with Mistakes............................................... 137

References & Resources.............................................. 141 Appendix....................................................................... 143

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DISCLAIMER

This publication is intended for reference information only, and presents tools for consideration in establishing a model of operations and examples of best practice systems. It is not intended to be used as a complete solution to all gymnastics club operations and gymnastics programs, and the use of the information included herein is the choice and responsibility of the user. It is recommended that an attorney be consulted for any matters relating to liability and legal issues, particularly in the use of the sample forms included.

Information provided in this publication has been prepared by the Author and is published by USA Gymnastics as a service to the gymnastics industry. It does not contain all information about all possible business operation issues, nor does contain all information that may be relevant to particular business operation situations. The information provided is of general application, and intended to facilitate communications and discussions between gymnastics professionals, including coaches, teachers, administrative and management staff, accountants, attorneys and other professional advisors. The information cannot be relied upon as a substitute for seeking guidance from appropriate professionals such as accountants, legal counsel and insurance advisors.

User acknowledges and agrees that neither the Author nor USA Gymnastics is responsible or liable for the results of the user's decisions and actions resulting from the information in this publication, including, but not limited to, a user pursuing or not pursuing advice from business planning professionals such as accountants, attorneys and insurance advisors.

The information provided in this publication is provided "as-is" and without warranties or conditions of any kind, either expressed or implied. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Author and USA Gymnastics expressly disclaim all warranties and conditions, express or implied, including, but not limited to, warranties and conditions of quality, correspondence to description and fitness for a particular purpose. Neither the Author nor USA Gymnastics warrant or represent that the information provided in this publication will be correct, accurate, timely, or reliable for any particular situation, circumstance or user.

While this publication may be updated periodically, unless and until that occurs, any changes in law, rules, regulations, requirements, or best practices may cause the information and forms provided in this publication to become out-of-date, with respect to which neither Author nor USA Gymnastics accept any responsibility or liability.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, under no circumstances, including, but not limited to negligence, shall the Author or USA Gymnastics be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages, or lost profits, that result in any manner from the use of or reliance on information provided in this publication

"Best practices" are sometimes defined as a technique or methodology that, through experience and research, has been proven to reliably lead to a desired result. "Best practices" evolve over time as improvements are discovered.

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How to Start a Gymnastics Business

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Author would like to thank the staff and the organization of USA Gymnastics, particularly Loree Galimore, Cheryl Jarrett, and Lynn Moskovitz-Thompson for providing me with the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of the gymnastics industry. I would also like to thank my wonderful wife, Kristy Roos-Taylor for her patience and understanding as I pursue my passion of safety, education and continuous improvement for the sport of gymnastics.

USA Gymnastics would like to thank Michael Taylor for his time and efforts in writing this book. Also, thank you to Krissy Klein, Woody White, Elizabeth Dooms, Stephanie Marron, and LaKesha Hutchinson for their input and time in creating the final product.

PREFACE

So you think you want to start your own gymnastics business. Congratulations! You have taken an important first step--getting information. USA Gymnastics developed this booklet with two goals in mind--to help you determine if starting a club is the right decision for you, and to improve your chances of success with your new business, or to make your current gymnastics school more successful.

The first section of this book deals with starting your new business and the second part of the book is the details in operating your business. You may feel that there are more questions than answers, but we have tried to highlight the myriad of issues you will face before you even open the doors to your new club, or make your business better. Wherever possible, we have included options for you to consider or provided typical ranges and solutions.

The end of this book includes the appendices that include several resources on a variety of business-related topics. Since so many of the steps involved in opening a gymnastics school are intertwined, we suggest you read through this entire manual first before you get started.

Reading through this booklet and watching the videos is only the first step. If you conclude that you are ready to get started opening your own gymnastics school, you have lots of work to do! And USA Gymnastics is ready to help. Just look at all the resources we have available to club owners on .

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How to Start a Gymnastics Business

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