How do I get started with building roller skating not Ice rink business?
Hi everyone,
I am searching for rink consulting services in Ontario that can provide invaluable assistance for building a skating center from the ground up.
The skating and entertainment rink will include the following:
- Public skating
- Lessons
- Quad roller hockey
- Fitness unit
- Snack bar
- Others
I also would like to know about:
- Market analysis in Toronto, Ontario?
- Lease, building design, and interior layouts that provide an environment for both of entertainment and quad hockey exercises and league.
- Financing & Insurance
- Others
I was wondering if you might be willing to share some advice.
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Jun 19, 2014
Hesham ... In the US the Small Business Association has the Small Business Development Center and sponsors SCORE which provides all types of advice from retired executives. I would think that Canada has a very similar program. I would start there.
Market analysis of what? You need to better define what information you want to obtain. Is it population density, income and demographics (gender, nationality, age, etc.)? If it is, go to the local governments. They'll have all this information in there census data.
Second with respect to buildings you need to work with an architect/interior designer to determine how much space will be required. With respect to quad skate hockey there are publish rules that state the dimensions of the surface. That will be the starting point. Next, find your a good commercial real estate agent. They have all the tools to help you find the right size space in the right location. They can tell you all about the going rates for leasing a building and they can help you negotiate your lease.
You must have an insurance agent for car and home. Those agents typically provide business insurance as well. They will provide you information on what is the appropriate type and amount of insurance you'll need for your business.
You'll need an attorney to draw up liability waivers for the hockey participation and the other issues with your business.
You're not going to find it all in one person. You need a team. And one resource will lead to another. That is why it would be best to start at your "SCORE" or "SBDC" like services in Canada.
Jun 19, 2014
first and foremost you need to research if this could even be a viable business, doing a market survey and also how much the potential consumer would be willing to pay for and the frequency of their purchase. After that the rest would be pretty easy to discover and implement. Except for financing which will take some time.
Jun 19, 2014
Jonathan Wilks, yes I am doing that right now using a complete market research survey which received very positive perception from the community residents :)
Jun 19, 2014
Hesham....
have you googled 'ice skating rinnk consultants, ontario"? Because I have and found these folks http://www.icerinksupply.com/
They provide products and services regarding it. If they are not the right people, I bet you they will know who is. Go to product suppliers of ice rinks...you should find a specialized consultant.
Jun 19, 2014
Thanks Bernadette,
Actually, I am interested in roller skating not ice skating! I am sorry for the wrong question which I have corrected it now. It is about Skating and Quad Roller Hockey .
I have got some information from http://rsa.web-pros.com/locator/srchresultmnfg.asp but all in US and I am curious to know if I can get any here in Ontario!
Thanks
Jun 19, 2014
google - consultants specializing in roller skating rink development, ontario canada
http://www.whitehutchinson.com/leisure/skating.shtml?mobile
Jun 19, 2014
Yes Bernadette ... Always, always, always start by using your favorite search engine and use industry-related and location-related keywords. You'll be quite amazed in what information you'll find. For example, here's what you get when you search for roller skating market size Canada. http://bit.ly/1iLZkpa And for roller hockey surface dimensions http://bit.ly/Uix73E
Jun 27, 2014
Hesham,
I would like to encourage you to engage the services of a professional research company that can ascertain the viability of your concept. That is critical before anything else at all!
If that looks positive, the next step is to make contact with a very reputable property and casualty insurer that can give you a strong quote on what the liabilities are and the cost of insuring that business.
If all of that comes back positive, then you need to establish the tax entity and consideration to asset protection. This should be coordinated with an very good law firm and CPA firm that has very senior experience in the skating rink business. They will also recommend various scenarios comparing leasing a space vs. owning. There are great architectural design and build companies that can render drawings if you supply them with exactly, in writing what your image is.
You will need lot's of working capital as this requires a heavy up front investment long before it get's off the ground.
This will also include institutional relationships with commercial entities that agree to use your facility for all of the reasons that you have mentioned above.
If there are compeitirs, you would have to have a very very compelling model that would encourage them to change to your operation.
Jeff , thank you very much for your great guidelines. Yes, I am registered with OSEB here in Ontario and I am searching this information as part of my business concept assignment within the program.