All businesses have their myths, which are often perceived by a customer who thinks the place has a license to print money, or it will make their dreams come true. So before you jump into roller rink ownership, here are some common myths that need to be debunked.
1. It’s easy money.
No. It’s. Not. Like any business, it requires hard work, passion, and a knowledge of the industry. After a few years of figuring out what works best with your customers and your way of doing things, then, yes, you can make a living. However, not everyone gets a full-time job with benefits. Most of the staff will be part-time wageworkers. The money part will depend on how many you are supporting within your own family. For those in their 20s with no spouse and kids, it won’t be an issue. But once you get married and have 3 kids to support and put through college, your financial needs will change.
2. I can skate anytime I want.
Oh, the dream of lacing up your skates at 2 am, and rolling around the rink by yourself to your favorite music is a huge benefit. But will you? Ask any rink operator about this, and they will tell you that they are either too tired, don’t have the time, or don’t want to risk a bad fall with no one else in the building. Plus, skating alone can be boring. The more people in the rink, the more exciting it is. I do see rink owners putting on skates and joining their session skaters for a few laps. But you won’t see them out there long. During busy sessions, there is always something to attend to.
3. I can trust my family members and partners with cash and getting the job done right.
Thankfully, it’s not always the case that a family member would help themself to the till, but I’ve heard about the twin of an owner in his 50s raiding the cash drawer regularly before heading out to the local casino. I’ve also seen working family members steal time: hanging out while on the clock and playing video games on their phone, while the place remained dirty.
4. I love to skate, therefore I know how to run a rink.
Unless you’ve operated a similar business, such as a restaurant, mobile DJ, or other job that requires entertaining and managing a diverse group of people, you’ve got a lot to learn about rink management. The kids and their parents can get into arguments. There’s insurance, taxes, accidents, skate building, inventory, accounting, marketing, and a whole host of other duties to perform. You should know how you want them done, in order to hire the right people to accomplish the job.
5. I have great taste in music.
We all think we have great taste in music. But not all songs are appropriate in a skating rink, so it’s important to research of skatable music with clean tracks so parents won’t get mad and leave bad reviews online.
6. I’ll only be open on weekends and weekday evenings, so I can keep my day job.
If you have a spouse who can assist, this is somewhat feasible, but the best owners are in their rink, even when its closed. There will be maintenance, upgrades, deep cleaning, deliveries, event planning, marketing, payroll, bills to pay, bank deposits, food orders, skate repairs, and other tasks to keep the rink running smoothly. Another job will be a huge distraction.
7. It’s something for my kids to do.
Do your kids like skating? Is this their dream, or yours? Some of the worst rule-breakers are the owner’s kids, or grandchildren. They can be out of control, helping themselves to candy, running amok, and setting a bad example, which makes it hard to discipline other rule-breakers. Unless your kids fully understand that your rink is a business, and not a playground, then it will work. However, if you’re starting a rink just to keep your kids out of trouble, you may want to re-examine your motives. I’ve seen several rinks fail because they opened a rink to keep a close eye on their children. It’s not what the bank wants to hear when applying for a loan.
This is just a short list of roller rink ownership myths, however they are the most common. Before you make the plunge, find out if you have what it takes, if your local population will support it, and if it’s a feasible venture. Roller rink ownership is not as easy as it looks.
