I don't know how to make this explanation short, but I'm gonna try. I own a personal training business that has never really taken off. I decided when I created it that I was going to use profits to help train special needs kids and adults go achieve higher levels of competitiveness. That idea started because I have an autistic brother in law that is quite the athlete and through him my wife and I have met quite a few others that, if training had began when they were younger could easily have become competitive athletes in the traditional sense. It just seems ludicrous to my wife and I that these athletes are relinquished to only ever compete among other special needs athletes when they clearly have the natural talent to compete in traditional competition.
The past few years, as I've put my business on a temporary hiatus I've been trying to figure out how I can convert the business into one that solely trains and prepares special needs athletes for standard competitions, to include marathons, cycling races and endurance swimming.
I believe I've figured a way to do so that will actually be profitable enough to sustain the business and provide a decent wage for all involved. Of course, that leads to the next, most important challenge, finding these athletes and finding parents willing to support them. Sadly, if you aren't aware of the troubles, many parents of special needs athletes, that I've encountered anyway, seem less willing to support or encourage these abilities as they would their other children.
So I figured I'd ask here first, among brothers, if any of you have special needs children or are close to friends or family that do, would you be willing to encourage and, in a sense, go out on a limb, to help make these kids competitive among traditional sports or would you have reservations?
I ask here because, I feel, that in this forum I'd get honest answers.
I should also mention, since I'm aware there are several experienced and successful businessmen here, if my idea is legitimate.
Here's the idea, I didn't want to create a nonprofit and lose control of the organization. Nor did I want to make the services available to only those with deep pockets. What I want to do, once I've created the physical gym itself (which will be relatively small considering the needs) is to create a monthly flyer, a periodical in a sense. Every athlete can sell this magazine to their friends and family for a slightly inflated price. I'll take a percentage off the top for costs (overhead, salaries, equipment, etc) and the remainder will be available to the athlete, in an personal fund, that will pay for entry fees, travel costs, etc.
In my mind the sales of this periodical will finance all the endeavors including training available to the athletes at any time, without having to create a non profit or rely solely on donations. It should help me avoid the need for professional fundraising organizations. I will be able to make the periodical available for sale online to anyone willing to buy it on a regular basis so that there's a larger base providing income.
The periodical would contain photos of the athletes competing, short bios and experiences, and upcoming events. Ultimately it would serve to not only finance the organization but to let people know that these folks, despite their mental challenges, can participate physically on the same level as all other athletes.
So, if you had the special needs athlete in your care, would this be something that interested you?
As a business model, is this a legitimate plan or am I missing something big?
The past few years, as I've put my business on a temporary hiatus I've been trying to figure out how I can convert the business into one that solely trains and prepares special needs athletes for standard competitions, to include marathons, cycling races and endurance swimming.
I believe I've figured a way to do so that will actually be profitable enough to sustain the business and provide a decent wage for all involved. Of course, that leads to the next, most important challenge, finding these athletes and finding parents willing to support them. Sadly, if you aren't aware of the troubles, many parents of special needs athletes, that I've encountered anyway, seem less willing to support or encourage these abilities as they would their other children.
So I figured I'd ask here first, among brothers, if any of you have special needs children or are close to friends or family that do, would you be willing to encourage and, in a sense, go out on a limb, to help make these kids competitive among traditional sports or would you have reservations?
I ask here because, I feel, that in this forum I'd get honest answers.
I should also mention, since I'm aware there are several experienced and successful businessmen here, if my idea is legitimate.
Here's the idea, I didn't want to create a nonprofit and lose control of the organization. Nor did I want to make the services available to only those with deep pockets. What I want to do, once I've created the physical gym itself (which will be relatively small considering the needs) is to create a monthly flyer, a periodical in a sense. Every athlete can sell this magazine to their friends and family for a slightly inflated price. I'll take a percentage off the top for costs (overhead, salaries, equipment, etc) and the remainder will be available to the athlete, in an personal fund, that will pay for entry fees, travel costs, etc.
In my mind the sales of this periodical will finance all the endeavors including training available to the athletes at any time, without having to create a non profit or rely solely on donations. It should help me avoid the need for professional fundraising organizations. I will be able to make the periodical available for sale online to anyone willing to buy it on a regular basis so that there's a larger base providing income.
The periodical would contain photos of the athletes competing, short bios and experiences, and upcoming events. Ultimately it would serve to not only finance the organization but to let people know that these folks, despite their mental challenges, can participate physically on the same level as all other athletes.
So, if you had the special needs athlete in your care, would this be something that interested you?
As a business model, is this a legitimate plan or am I missing something big?
