A dance club is a nice idea. But what kind of club are you looking at -- a Ballroom Dancing Club, Strip Club, or something else?

The best way you can begin is to write up what you really want to do. You can start by consulting with your close friends and associates and see if your idea is workable with them. They may become your first clients or members (some may even be willing to invest with you). This is particularly crucial if you are thinking of something like a strip club, where the moral guardians in your locality may object.

Then you can make a survey of the area where you live. Do you think there will be enough number of people who would join your club? Search for a good location. A place where it would be safe for your members to be, specially at night.

For legal issues, you have to consult with the authorities at your City Hall. They will be your best guide and advisors as to the legality of your club. Since you will have music and possibly a little bit of noise, you have to make sure that you do not invite complaints from neighboring homes or establishments. The Zoning division should be able to give you advice on where you can establish your club. One thing is clear, though: this kind of business will not be classified as home business and may not be allowed in a residential area.

As in any kind of business, write up a business plan for yourself. It will give you a "birds-eye-view" of what you have at hand and what you plan to do. It is the map of your business and it will be your guide on things you have to do. Plus, it will help you thresh out the start-up requirements and capital you need to have. Specifically, it help you conceptualize your business and provide answers to the following questions:

- How do you plan to operate? Will it be a membership fee driven club or people can come in and pay at the door?

- How about your interior design? What look will your club have? Do you have the capital to create the kind of look and atmosphere for your club? What equipment would you need -- e.g. a bar, tables and chairs, etc.

- What kind of space do you intend to occupy? If you need a ballroom type of setting, is there one available for lease in your locality? If none, what considerations are you looking for in its location? What is your budget for lease? You have to foresee the maximum number of people you want to accommodate at a given setting.

- Will you have food and drinks served inside? Your Music, will you have a live band or just a stereo system?

- How many employees will you need? Will you need dance instructors, bouncers or security to help protect your club, waitresses, cashiers, etc? Do you have capital to hire people to help you out?

- How do you plan to market the business? Establishments like a dance club depends on the kind of image it projects to attract its patrons. How are you going to reach your potential clients?

These are but a few I can think of for your plan. I hope it helps.

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About the PowerHomeBiz.com Guide: 

Nach Maravilla is the Publisher of Power Homebiz Guides. He has over thirty years experience in sales and marketing of various products, which covered as he jokingly describes, "from toothpicks to airplanes"  He also had extensive experience in International trading and he always excelled in special promotional ideas for  retail outlets. 

The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, not of PowerHomeBiz.com. Users should not treat the Guide's response as legal, accounting, or professional advice as all answers are intended to be general in nature. Such advice can only be properly given by qualified professionals who are fully aware of a user's specific geographical areas or circumstances, such as an attorney or accountant.