Paintball is a game designed to eliminate contestants by
firing gelatin paint-balls at the opponents. The mode of delivery is pistol and rifle that deploy the paint through a compressed air mechanism.
Paintball companies organize hunts, tournaments, group
activity in indoor and outdoor fields. The fun lovers usually wear customized
military outfits to create mood and effect.
There are lots of paintball business ideas to consider in
the industry. Many entrepreneurs focus on opening a recreational field.
However sub-sectors in the industry include gear rentals,
coaching classes and sales of equipment. There are strong legislation guiding
paintball companies including age restrictions and police control.
Different
Paintball Business Ideas
There are basically six income steams in the paintball
industry. They are running a field facility, organizing coaching classes
including selling paintball gear and accessories. The others are online sales
of equipment, manufacturing equipment, repair and maintenance.
Manufacturing
Paintball Gear
If you are interested in investing in the paintball
industry you could consider manufacturing. The paintball equipment are
customized and standardized to certain requirements.
Specialized equipment's are customized jerseys, safety
hats, gelatin balls and firing mechanisms. To start making the gear understand
the manufacturing process and acquire appropriate machinery.
You could focus on certain gear and develop high quality
products. Apply branding, marketing and target wholesalers, retailers.
Start
Wholesale, Retail of Paintball Gear
You could decide to open a store or shop and sell
anything related to paintball business. Stock your store with gear, outfits and
lots of paint-balls. You need a good location, moderate funding, staff and a
good business model.
Paintball
Repairs
Paintball repair shops are specialized businesses. They
focus on gear repair, refurbishment and sales of new equipment.
Find a good location for your shop and use signage boards
to attract patronage. You need to invest in hand tools and other equipment to
make your job easier. You also need to acquire knowledge on how to repair such specialized
gear.
Online
Paintball Store
Create a paintball website to sell your gear to the
world. Make sure the website has high definition photographs, description of
items and a checkout area.
There are two ways to run an online store. You could use
an affiliate arrangement with larger companies or have a physical store. The
method you use in shipping the items depends on your business model
Paintball
Coaching Classes
Many paintball enthusiasts regularly need to acquire new
skills. There are also new people interested in learning how to use the
equipment.
A good location for your coaching class is close to a
paintball field. Coaching involves lots of practical teaching and on hands
approach.
How
to open a Paintball Facility
To open a facility you need a large open space or field.
There are two ways to go about this leasing the field or outright purchase.
The field should be fitted with safe obstacles and fun
activities. You need storage to keep your equipment, staff and proper facility
management.
How to start a Paintball Business
Determine
the Business Model
Before you invest hard cash know your area of interest. The
sector you choose determines the location, type of equipment, staff and company
structure.
Write
a Paintball Facility Business Plan
If you are interested in opening a paintball facility you
need a business plan. Make sure the plan has an executive summary, management experience,
location, design and objectives.
Include a mission, vision statement, facility capacity,
type of equipment and safety arrangement. What are your key to success, games
options and overhead?
Register
the Enterprise
Register the business as a sole proprietorship or limited
liability company. Carry out a feasibility study and locate your target
customers. You need a business license, insurance cover and tax clearance
certification.
Locating
the Company
Paintball fields are usually located away from
residential areas. However a massive warehouse could be turned into a field.
Underutilized fields, vacant farm lands are good locations
for fields. Manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers could be subject to
zoning.
Purchase
Equipment
The amount of sophistication of the equipment depends on
the cost, functionality and manufacturer. Purchase good quality equipment from
top manufacturers of paintball gear.
There are inventory you need to buy such as paintball
guns, camouflage outfits and safety goggles. Other gears are knee, elbow pads,
safety helmets or caps.
The guns are spring or gravity fed and uses compressed
air action. Purchase your items in bulk to reduce cost and increase profit
margin. To find dealers conduct a simple search online, use yellow pages or locate
fields in your area.
A
List of Paintball Equipment
- Camouflage Outfits
- Safety Goggles
- Safety Helmets, Mask
- Elbow and knee Pads
- Paintball Pistols
- Pods, pod packs
- Athletic supporters
- Auotcocker
- Paintballs- spherical gelatin capsules
- Paintball Barrels
- Vehicles used for scenario play
Pricing
The business is competitive so make sure you offer the
best cost saving prices. Calculate your prices based on overhead, fixed and
working capital, administrative fees, leasehold and playtime. Hire experience staff
with knowledge of the game.
Safety
Protocols
It is important to put in place safety protocols to avoid
litigation. Design the field to prevent injuries and unnecessary accidents.
You need a good insurance cover for the business. Get a
lawyer to draft play ethics, behavior, violations, consequences and rules.
Common rules involve enforcing participants to wear safety
gear, minimum strike distance, ramping and overkill. Other rules are non-contact,
wiping, hits.
Marketing
the Company
You need lots of advertisement to attract patronage. Organize
demonstrations, discounts, giveaways and other fun activities.
Use traditional advertisement such as distribution of
flyers, business cards and newsletters. Create huge billboards, signage boards
and use electronic media such as television and radio.
You could network with other entertainment centers in your
area such as parks, recreational companies and theme parks.
