Planning to open a dive shop? Hoping to cash in on tourists visiting or aiming to show your home’s natural splendor?
With over 2.7 million people getting into it, why not give the business a shot?
Starting a local dive shop requires a bit of ingenuity, dedication, and a good deal of business sense. Divers and dive instructors would find that starting up a dive shop is the next step.
However, you can still venture into setting up a local dive shop. Here are some pointers that can help you prepare in starting.
1. There is More to the Local Dive Shop
In starting up your own local dive shop, remember that there are multiple aspects in play. In this case, you will consider the following parts:
- Training and Instructing
- Traveling to Dive Spots
- Tools and Equipment
In these instances, you have these factors to work with when opening and running a local dive shop. The mostly utilized section is in the training and traveling, where you instruct newbies into the basics of diving and equipping them, as well as sending them into diving areas.
However, there is also the aspect of equipment. This will encompass purchase of equipment, rental of diving gear, air cylinder refills, and even servicing of diving equipment.
In essence, the dive shop tackles close to about 6 different businesses in one (tools having the part about rentals, repairs, and even refilling).
Some of these aspects may be small and almost invisible. However, each part has a purpose and may prove vital for the business to continue.
2. Have a Solid Business Plan
In starting a business, especially dive shops, being a great diver is not enough. Running a business will require a different set of skills, which includes management and customer service. Business plans tend to be complex compared to the regular dive plan.
When starting a dive shop, try to build a comprehensive dive plan. If possible, take some business or marketing courses to know what you need for this venture to work. Try to put the legwork behind them and understand the inner makings.
While it can take at least a few months putting the plan together, you can be sure that you will be ready to open the shop.
3. Pick the Right Location
Another aspect that you will need in setting up a dive shop is the location where you will put it up. Will your shop’s location be in an urban area where you recruit and train new divers before sending them off to dive?
Or will it be more of an on-site dive center that offers a diving spot and also equipment to use when diving?
Whichever your intention, location is key in starting up a local dive shop. This will also help you figure out what you need in terms of equipment, marketing, and operations. Dive centers are often found in high traffic, high rent areas.
So you might need to keep that in mind in case you are planning to set up in such an area.
You will also need to negotiate for the right spot and may involve some more legwork and paperwork with the locale that you are planning to set shop on.
4a. Tools: Keep Yourself Well-Supplied
One other aspect is in the sale of diving equipment. This may include air cylinders, diving masks, wetsuits, and other forms of paraphernalia. Having a go-to shop for divers to get their supplies from is something that you may need to consider when setting up a dive shop.
Make sure that you are well supplied in the equipment needed. This is one challenge that dive shops tend to face. Consider having secure and reliable suppliers within reach. For example, Neptonics offers a variety of diving gear and accessories alongside spearfishing equipment.
Always prepare in the aspect of inventory control.
4b. Tools: Take Note of Maintenance and Replacement Costs
One of the things you will consider in equipment rental is with maintenance and replacement. This can be a consideration when starting a diving business. Dive gear can be quite an investment, ranging at roughly $1000 or so.
The gear may last a long time if well cared for and maintained.
This, on the other hand, may prove to be harder when the equipment is being rented, as they may only last for a few months. This is a consideration to note but it is possible to address with the right preparation.
5. Training: Provide Courses
Providing training courses for beginning divers is one aspect that you will include to bring in new people. Although in terms of training them, this can also be rather hands-on as it may need equipment present.
In comparison, this is akin to a driving or skiing lesson that would need the car or the location to practice. The only difference would be in where the diving school will be.
Another thing to note is in the approach of how you would assist the new divers. Compared to running a shop, this is more of a service where you bank on them having a great learning experience.
Not only that, also consider the difference between these two leading scuba diving training organizations: PADI and SSI.
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors, or PADI, allows a dive instructor to directly deal with their headquarters once he becomes certified to teach. Although in this case, he will need to order his training material. Once a student completes training, the dive instructor sends the documentation necessary for the “C” card.
A thing to note is that PADI instructors can work independently without any formal business if they wish.
Scuba Schools International, or SSI, works similarly to a college and focuses on the business. There are instructors qualified to teach. But the school is the one responsible for ordering the training materials and instigating certification paperwork. SSI Instructors, on their own, cannot certify students.
PADI is more into the training side while SSI works on the business end. So consider which of these two will be in use for your dive shop.
Prepare to Start Your Dive Shop Today!
Preparation is key when setting up your own local dive shop. Take note of the location where you will set up shop. Also, prepare for your training courses and certifications. Have a supplier available as well to keep your inventory of diving gear well-stocked.
Most importantly, have a business and marketing plan with you in starting this venture.
Did you find these pointers useful? We also have various tips and advice that you can make use of to help your business. You can check this branding guide boost your small business.
