Open Your Own Paintball Field
If you really love paintball, and you want to open your own commercial field, you should consider some things first. Paintball is a game, but having and operating a commercial paintball field is a business, and should be treated as such by the people running it.
You should know what you are getting into. Visit all of the commercial fields that you can, especially the fields that will become your competition. Take notes. You need to pay attention to what they are offering the players, how they are set up, the type and quality of the products that they are selling from the field, and their fee’s. Pay close attention to what distinguishes the “good” fields from the “bad” fields.
Before you do anything else, you need to make sure that the property you own, or the property you intend to buy, is zoned for paintball. You can find this information through your local zoning commission. If your land is not properly zoned for paintball, work with the commission to get it re-zoned, if possible. Do not start a paintball field on land that is not zoned for it.
If you do not feel that you are ready to strike out on your own, you may consider talking to an owner that lives far away from the area that you want to open a field in. The other owner may be willing to open a branch field on land that you own, and share the profits.
If there are no fields in your area, you need to find out why. Are there not enough people interested in paintball in that particular area?
The next step is to determine whether you are willing to make the necessary investment to start a paintball field. Expenses will include, but are not limited to, insurance, getting the land ready for paintball, incorporating your business, legal expenses, taxes, financial service expenses, necessary equipment (a CO2 tank, nitro tank, paintballs, paint guns, etc.), uniforms for referees and other employees, and advertising costs. These are just a few of the costs.
Other costs may include setting up public restrooms, setting up a pro shop, business equipment, and utility expenses.
You will need to write a good business plan, or have a professional write one for you (another expense). This is necessary when you start looking for financing. Nobody will talk to you without a business plan.
You will need to look for companies that you will be doing business with. You will need paintball supplies in bulk. You should be able to work out a good deal or discount with some or all suppliers. You should also start shopping for insurance, to get an idea of what liability insurance is going to cost you.
Finally, you need to look over your business plan, consider all the expenses, and really think long and hard, making sure this is a venture you want to invest your time and money into.
You should know what you are getting into. Visit all of the commercial fields that you can, especially the fields that will become your competition. Take notes. You need to pay attention to what they are offering the players, how they are set up, the type and quality of the products that they are selling from the field, and their fee’s. Pay close attention to what distinguishes the “good” fields from the “bad” fields.
Before you do anything else, you need to make sure that the property you own, or the property you intend to buy, is zoned for paintball. You can find this information through your local zoning commission. If your land is not properly zoned for paintball, work with the commission to get it re-zoned, if possible. Do not start a paintball field on land that is not zoned for it.
If you do not feel that you are ready to strike out on your own, you may consider talking to an owner that lives far away from the area that you want to open a field in. The other owner may be willing to open a branch field on land that you own, and share the profits.
If there are no fields in your area, you need to find out why. Are there not enough people interested in paintball in that particular area?
The next step is to determine whether you are willing to make the necessary investment to start a paintball field. Expenses will include, but are not limited to, insurance, getting the land ready for paintball, incorporating your business, legal expenses, taxes, financial service expenses, necessary equipment (a CO2 tank, nitro tank, paintballs, paint guns, etc.), uniforms for referees and other employees, and advertising costs. These are just a few of the costs.
Other costs may include setting up public restrooms, setting up a pro shop, business equipment, and utility expenses.
You will need to write a good business plan, or have a professional write one for you (another expense). This is necessary when you start looking for financing. Nobody will talk to you without a business plan.
You will need to look for companies that you will be doing business with. You will need paintball supplies in bulk. You should be able to work out a good deal or discount with some or all suppliers. You should also start shopping for insurance, to get an idea of what liability insurance is going to cost you.
Finally, you need to look over your business plan, consider all the expenses, and really think long and hard, making sure this is a venture you want to invest your time and money into.
