Opening an In-Home Studio

klfoster20081953 started this discussion · 11/7/2013

I started pole dancing about 2 years ago and I'm thinking about offering pole lessons at my home. I managed and instructed at a local studio for about 7 months and left due to the owner. We could not see eye to eye and I did not like how she taught and structured her classes. My ultimate goal is to open a pole studio within the next 12 months. To help with start-up costs and give me adequate to plan, I decided to offer lessons at home. Any suggestions on this and what's needed? Do you think this is a good idea? I would really appreciate any help that I could get. Thanks in advance! Here's a list of what I think I need: Website Pole Crash mat Private restroom/area to teach Music Yoga Mat Mirror Wavier?? Insurance??

20 replies

Runemist34 · 11/7/2013
Definitely insurance, and a waiver would probably be good, too. Some "mood lighting" can occasionally be good, and women think they look best under red or purple lights. Not too strong, but just that hint of colour can do wonders. Otherwise, it sounds like you've got a solid plan! Good luck, and good on you!
verucablue · 11/7/2013
I would also speak with a lawyer and an accountant regarding (and look into incorporating) as having a studio in your home can open you up to a lot of liability issues.
Krista Bocko · 11/7/2013
I would love to have a home studio, but not only do I not have the space, IF I did, it would need to be separate, somehow, because of the liability issues as VB said. With regards to insurance, the agent could direct you as well. MAKE SURE AERIALS ARE COVERED. Very few companies cover aerials.
Dancing Paws · 11/7/2013
So, I am going to be the downer here. Having an at home studio is a bad idea simply because you are automatically fusing your business to hour home assets. If you get sued, they can take everything. Your home, your car, everything. When you have a separate studio, that is a separate entity, so if you get sued, they can only take business related assets. I suggest you look into renting studio space somewhere and use some removable poles.
Dancing Paws · 11/7/2013
keep in mind that even when teaching at a studio as a private contractor, you'll need insurance, a music license, crash mats, waivers, etc.
Ive8899 · 11/7/2013
Oh wow i never thought all of this,there a re few studios in houston for yoga that well do it from home. And rhey seem pretty good been doing it for years. I like this topic hopefully we get more comments.
Ive8899 · 11/7/2013
Well sorry kne more thing what about those waivers studios make you sign isnt that to protect yourself. I really have been thinking about twaching at my house
Krista Bocko · 11/8/2013
Another thread on this topic: https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/52094beb-120c-444e-8fd2-472d0ac37250
Dancing Paws · 11/8/2013
Waivers are a good idea to let people know the risks of the activity, but they do not hold any ground in court. Yoga is far less dangerous than pole, so the risks are not as high as with pole, though it still is not a good idea to have it at home, for the same reasons. Totally not worth losing everything.
klfoster20081953 · 11/8/2013
I appreciate all the posts that were made! You guys have really given me something to think about. Although I managed and instructed at a studio, I never had insurance to cover me as an instructor. The owner said we were covered under policy. She also made it seem that the waivers released the studio and the instructors from ALL liability. I feel so misled :(, but glad to know the truth. We were not using crash mats and were taught advanced pole tricks too soon! I'm so glad no one was hurt. I only realized this was wrong after I left. I believed everything she said, be she had taught me everything up to that point. I even began a certifying at her studio up to Level 4. There's so much more to pole than tricks that I had to teach myself via YouTube. I have a few clients that are wanting lessons because of the lack of structure at that location and I thought I could offer my services at home until I open the pole studio. Unfortunately, I will have to turn them away until I open my studio and obtain an insurance policy. What's typically the coverage and cost of insurance for a pole studio?
Dancing Paws · 11/8/2013
I know others disagree with me on this, but both ACE and the insurance broker I spoke with said that instructors need personal AND professional liability. Personal is slip, trip, and fall insurance. Professional covers you if you make a mistake that leads to someones injury. You HAVE to have insurance. Some insurance companies require crash mats and fitness certifications. Either way, crash mats should be used, period. If you haven't already, I highly suggest getting a fitness certification. I got ACE group fitness certification.
Dancing Paws · 11/8/2013
Others will have to chime in on licensing and insurance costs, as I haven't started teaching yet.
Dancing Paws · 11/8/2013
You should start contacting local dance studios, yoga, etc, and see if they'd be willing to let you rent time at their studios.
Charley · 11/8/2013
If you plan to teach at your home or anyone else's I recommend studio coverage, this is what I have. Instead of teaching at my house, I give lessons at client houses, this gets me out of the issue of running a business out of my residentially zoned home, I avoid having to discuss it with my homeowners insurance, etc. I go,through insurance for pole dancers and was told the studio coverage covers me for this and I am able to take on employees (w2 employees not contractors) and they are also covered under my insurance. If you're an independent contractor you are not covered under the studio policy. I was told I would be covered to teach from my house but I don't like involving my home in possible liability. Studio coverage also covers subletting too like using a yoga or dance studio, I believe general instructor insurance does as well. Look Into it at www.insurance4poledancers.com. They can explain the differences better than I can. I pay 500/year but its worth it to me. Instructor insurance is about 270-300/yr. it's less than car insurance either way, but if you tell the, what you're doing they can guide into the right product.
Ive8899 · 11/8/2013
lol thanks Charley that was my next question, what about going to their houses. you read my mind, love this helpful comment.
klfoster20081953 · 11/8/2013
Thanks Charley! So if I provide lesson or parties at their home or location, my personal assets are safe? I feel the need to share this information with the ladies that are still teaching at the studio. We were all independent contractors, but she told us we were covered under her insurance!
Charley · 11/8/2013
She may have been misinformed. It's a misconception that contractors are covered. I was told that for many years too working at studios. Nobody was trying to,spread bad info just they don't know all the ins and outs of contractors vs employees. Usually pole instructors are technically employees according the IRS list of 16 questions. So,if the insurance company said employees are covered I'm betting that the owner assumed you were not thinking through the contractor vs employee and j defeat ding any difference, Do share though. It's really important information to have. If taxes are not taken out of your check then you need insurance is the basic rule.
Charley · 11/8/2013
And yes as far as I understand, but please ask, your home is safe so long as you are a legal business entity Llc or inc. for home owners if your mailman slips and falls on ice in your driveway, your liable, so any injury incurring on your property could be against your homeowners or renters and of course personal assets. I work like personal trainers who offer in home private care as opposed to having them at my house. And yep, parties are covered under basic instructor insurance last I heard. Now, keep in mind insurance changes all the time so do write down and ask all of these questions, to be sure you are getting the right product.
Kobajo84 · 11/9/2013
As far as home studios, some insurance for studios will not cover home operations. Be sure to ask your agent prior to purchasing your policy.
Dancing Paws · 11/9/2013
I want to add, some cities, like mine, only allow at home businesses to cater to one client at a time. So no multi person classes.