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.
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