This set of answers is the "teaching at your local PA dive shop or as an independent"
A second set of answers is the "I have a captain's license, speak more than one language, can repair all makes of gear, fix the compressor, diesel engines and anything else"
I can't provide the second set of answers.
1. How soon could I get my investment back based upon current wages paid?
Never, unless you are an independent, but that will require additional investment well beyond your current investment.
2 Do you consider selling gear( only what the shop stocks may not be the best for the diver) a conflict of interest?
No. The shop stocks something in each category that I have no problem selling. I will drag the customer away from a Dacor reg to an Apeks reg for sure.
3 How many people do you think make a good living teaching?
As an instructor? Zero. As a dive shop owner/instructor, many. As a course director, a couple.
4 Will a Training facility only(no gear sales ) make a good profit?
No. Absolutely not. Not selling equipment to your customer is a disservice. I sell product into an indusrty that generates revenue through services and product sales. Revenues from services is finite relative to space and personnel. Revenues from product sales can increase many times over withouth additional space and personnel. Gear sales is vital for the shop and for the customer.
5 Do shops consider training a loss leader and attempt to make the profits on gear sales? (it appears Air sales are a loss leader)
Most do. This is an industry mistake and needs to change. This worked fine when gear sales were almost guaranteed, but the world has changed. Alternate distribution channels are here to stay.
People need professional training. They spend, say $250 for a class. For this they receive approximately a minimum of 32 hours of instructor time. That's $8/hour. The plumber charges $50/hour, the HVAC guy bills out at $65/hour.
It's time to think out of the box and provide added value and a comprehensive experience to get divers in and keep them diving.
By the way, the average life span of an instructor is 5 years.
A second set of answers is the "I have a captain's license, speak more than one language, can repair all makes of gear, fix the compressor, diesel engines and anything else"
I can't provide the second set of answers.
1. How soon could I get my investment back based upon current wages paid?
Never, unless you are an independent, but that will require additional investment well beyond your current investment.
2 Do you consider selling gear( only what the shop stocks may not be the best for the diver) a conflict of interest?
No. The shop stocks something in each category that I have no problem selling. I will drag the customer away from a Dacor reg to an Apeks reg for sure.
3 How many people do you think make a good living teaching?
As an instructor? Zero. As a dive shop owner/instructor, many. As a course director, a couple.
4 Will a Training facility only(no gear sales ) make a good profit?
No. Absolutely not. Not selling equipment to your customer is a disservice. I sell product into an indusrty that generates revenue through services and product sales. Revenues from services is finite relative to space and personnel. Revenues from product sales can increase many times over withouth additional space and personnel. Gear sales is vital for the shop and for the customer.
5 Do shops consider training a loss leader and attempt to make the profits on gear sales? (it appears Air sales are a loss leader)
Most do. This is an industry mistake and needs to change. This worked fine when gear sales were almost guaranteed, but the world has changed. Alternate distribution channels are here to stay.
People need professional training. They spend, say $250 for a class. For this they receive approximately a minimum of 32 hours of instructor time. That's $8/hour. The plumber charges $50/hour, the HVAC guy bills out at $65/hour.
It's time to think out of the box and provide added value and a comprehensive experience to get divers in and keep them diving.
By the way, the average life span of an instructor is 5 years.
