mugenheimer
Registered
Hi there,
I am looking for some info on setting up a dive shop. I have been doing a bit of soul searching lately and it is something which interests me greatly and I would appreciate some advice and maybe a reality check!!
My situation is as follows, I currently work in a normal job. I am thinking that if I work until the end of 2011 I could save with my girlfriend about $30000US. Ideally I would like to set up a shop in South East Asia or Central America but I am not limited to those areas. I would however like to stay away from places like Ko Tao, Gilis, Cozumel etc. basically I would like a nice dive destination with a few dive shops.
I would think that I would rent a place and set up a small business and hopefully expand over time. I would be working as an Instructor / DM and my girlfriend would also help out on the Admin side of things.
How much of an original investment would be needed? I realise a large investment would be needed at first to purchase equipment, a boat, tank refill system. Assuming that I would start off catering to 8 people at most a day, is 20 tanks, and sets of equipment more than enough. Also the boat would not need to be too large either.
Also, what are insurance costs like? And is there any other recurring costs to think about other than rent, wages, gas, etc. anything not obvious to me. Is it straightforward in these countries to get finance from a Bank?
I would really appreciate any advice or help I can get. I am no fool and I dream of owning a shop. I think I would do well but I am under no illusions of how difficult it is. I am also not going into this thinking I will walk away with a bucket load of cash, however I would like to make a living out of it and if in ten years time I sell the business I would hopefully get back the original investment I made.
Thank you
I am looking for some info on setting up a dive shop. I have been doing a bit of soul searching lately and it is something which interests me greatly and I would appreciate some advice and maybe a reality check!!
My situation is as follows, I currently work in a normal job. I am thinking that if I work until the end of 2011 I could save with my girlfriend about $30000US. Ideally I would like to set up a shop in South East Asia or Central America but I am not limited to those areas. I would however like to stay away from places like Ko Tao, Gilis, Cozumel etc. basically I would like a nice dive destination with a few dive shops.
I would think that I would rent a place and set up a small business and hopefully expand over time. I would be working as an Instructor / DM and my girlfriend would also help out on the Admin side of things.
How much of an original investment would be needed? I realise a large investment would be needed at first to purchase equipment, a boat, tank refill system. Assuming that I would start off catering to 8 people at most a day, is 20 tanks, and sets of equipment more than enough. Also the boat would not need to be too large either.
Also, what are insurance costs like? And is there any other recurring costs to think about other than rent, wages, gas, etc. anything not obvious to me. Is it straightforward in these countries to get finance from a Bank?
I would really appreciate any advice or help I can get. I am no fool and I dream of owning a shop. I think I would do well but I am under no illusions of how difficult it is. I am also not going into this thinking I will walk away with a bucket load of cash, however I would like to make a living out of it and if in ten years time I sell the business I would hopefully get back the original investment I made.
Thank you