How to Start a Business
Starting a DUI School
Launching a DUI school is your ticket to owning a good, stable business if you do it right. We provide nuts-and-bolts information that may be key to your ultimate success.
Wondering how to start a DUI school? We take you step-by-step from start to success.
DUI Industry Basics
Like it or not, the DUI industry is alive and well throughout the U.S. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.5 million drivers are arrested each year for a DUI offense. When faced with the possibility of a license revocation or even jail time, first-time and repeat offenders often classes at DUI schools to demonstrate the sincerity of their willingness to reform.
DUI students may be mandated to enroll in a class or they may do so voluntarily. Either way, the financial burden for participation in a legitimate DUI education program falls on the shoulders of the offender, often totaling thousands of dollars per class.
Marketing a DUI School
DUI schools are unique in that they aren't marketed to end-users. Most prospective DUI students don't know their options and don't know how to locate a school that meets the court's requirements.
So instead of marketing directly to students, you'll want to focus your marketing efforts on the legal community. After you have met state requirements for a certified DUI school (if applicable), the next step is to network with local attorneys, law enforcement and court representatives. As an introduction, you may want to personally invite key members of the local law enforcement and legal communities to attend a grand opening event or to provide instruction at the school as adjunct faculty.
Expansion Opportunities
Although DUI education will form the backbone of your startup, there are several expansion opportunities that are worth considering, even in the early stages of the business. Once you have the facilities and faculty in place for a first-rate DUI program, it doesn't take much effort to expand course offerings to include defensive driving and driver education courses.
To strengthen your DUI program, you can also become a retailer/installer of interlock ignition devices. These devices are breath-analyzer ignition devices that meet court requirements and prohibit intoxicated drivers from operating their vehicles.
Creating Business Plans for a DUI School
Never underestimate the value of a good DUI school business plan. With the right ingredients, your DUI school's business plan will serve as a blueprint for success.
To assist your efforts, you may want to consider enlisting the aid of a professional business plan writer.
The right business plan writer can give your DUI school a competitive edge over other startups in your industry. However, outsourcing doesn't completely eliminate your responsibilities in the writing process.
As the primary stakeholder in your DUI school, you will intentionally need to insert yourself in various stages of the plan's development.
Review the Competition
Prior to launching a DUI school within your community, it's essential to find out how many competitors you have. Use the link below to get a list of local competitors in your area. Complete the form by entering your city, state and zip code to get a list of DUI schools that are close by.
Gain a knowledge of how existing firms have positioned themselves in the marketplace, and then design your business in a way that sets you apart from the others.
Getting Advice from Experienced Entrepreneurs
If you want to open a DUI school it's a smart move to talk to somebody who is already in the business. If you think your local competitors will give you advice, you're being overoptimistic. It'd be crazy for them to teach you the business.
On the other hand, an individual who has a DUI school in a different city can be a great learning resource for you, provided that you won't be directly competing with them. In fact, they are often very willing to share startup advice with you. If you are persistent, you can find a business mentor who is willing to help you out.
Where can an aspiring entrepreneur like you find a DUI school manager in another community?
It's not that hard. Just use the handy link below and enter in a random city/state or zipcode.
Should You Buy or Start a DUI School?
Tough decisions are what business ownership is all about. And one of the first decisions you'll have to make is whether to start a business from scratch or buy an existing DUI school.
In general, purchased DUI schools fare better than startups, at least during the initial few years. When you buy an established DUI school, you gain access to a functional business operation with a customer base and a steady revenue stream.
If you can't find a suitable DUI school-for-sale, you'll need to start a new business. But for the sake of minimizing risk and maintaining your sanity, a business purchase is often the right move for emerging DUI school entrepreneurs.
Franchising May Be a Better Way to Go
The probabilities on your avoiding failure in business are higher if you opt for franchising in lieu of doing everything yourself.
If your goal is to start a DUI school, you ought to assess whether purchasing a franchise might simplify your entering the business.
The link below gives you access to our franchise directory so you can see if there's a franchise opportunity for you. You might even find something that points you in a completely different direction.
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These additional resources regarding getting started as an entrepreneur may be of interest to you.
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Coming Up With Good Business Ideas
Buying vs. Starting a Business
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