To start a business with three young children?

[Soitis83]

So, I have this idea.
I'm from a relatively small town (close to bigger towns) and I'm thinking of opening a woman's only gym with childcare on site. I've looked into the costs of everything and what I will need if I go ahead with it, so that side of things is covered. My only concern now is, is there really a huge market for it? Are women interested in this? I also have 3 young children so is it possible to start such a huge venture right now? Would this be something you wish you had in your town?
Any advice/crisism/knowledge/notes welcome!

Actual women, the XX type only?

Absolutely

Good on you. Do you have a partner and will they step up and support you during the busy phases - all new businesses have insanely busy phases?

And yes I think there’s a market! Or you could have certain hours when men are allowed but most times are women only.

I would go to a women's only gym just for that, I don't need the childcare personally.. I have no clue about business but to my thinking having only women is cutting the custom in half? Would it be an option to be open to everyone with set days or times for women only?

I do, he's fully supportive of this idea. But he would support me with whatever so it's hard to know if he genuinely thinks it's great or if he's just adorably applauding me along. I also have great support around me for childcare.

We have a gym near us with a women's only gym as part of it and childcare on site. Not sure how well used it is but it has been going a long time now so must be doing ok!

It's definitely an option, not one I've thought of though. It mainly came to me as I was looking for a gym myself that had childcare and realised there are none close to me. So I would be prepared to make it set times for men but I feel like men in this town have their set gyms already. There's quite a few small gyms that aren't advertised as men only, but I certainly don't know a single woman who steps foot in one.

Interesting! Obviously you don't have to tell me the exact location but can you give me a rough idea where it's based?

www.itsleisureltd.co.uk/our-impact?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLfxy1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABp_SVzyeG9aPI0gz8hrEynk8-eGM_qlsYQz8HVASdsN6wPmvkmvxuzPTK76F0_aem_nPa7M5q9iASXZIgEyw7yuQ

Thank you! 28 years and going strong, good for them!

Do it 👏

I read that as going into business with actual children as business partners 🫣.
I'll get my coat.

I have two answers to this. Actually one is of a question.

I would be interested if it was only women, yes. As in, Cis women. If not, and trans women are allowed, then no , I wouldn’t go. How do you plan on dealing with trans women who will no doubt kick up a fuss to the local press if you don’t let them in? Will you be able to deal with the potential negativity of not letting in trans women? In this day and age unfortunately a female only gym that is strict about women only is often privy to a lot of unwanted negative press.

Plus how do you prove a woman is female born? Do you just take their word for it?

My second point is only do it if you have proper support at home for your three children, or you can afford a nanny. Starting a business is hard and you might begin with working 15 hour days as you start up. Not to mention with possibly dealing with the negative press as above.

The prices have to be competitive too. With the quality of pure gym, and how it’s open 24 hours (pretty much empty the time I work out, and the cardio area very rarely has men in it at the late time I go time) and is so cheap, it would have to be something pretty special to tear me away from that, even if it offered childcare. That said I expect an independent business to cost a little more and not be open quite as much.

I also wouldn’t want to be locked into a contract.

If he works FT as well, childcare is something you will have to consider especially in the early stages of your business

It’s a brilliant idea OP

Do you have any experience managing a gym or will you be paying a manager ?

Starting a business with 3 kids will be even more work but of course you can succeed especially if you have a reliable support system in place. I did visit a ladies only gym as I was self conscious about my flabby bits wobbling but it was further away from my home. My dh reminded me that most people (men included)are focused on their own workouts and not all men are out to ogle so I shouldn't let that worry me. I now go to my local gym instead. I do tend to go at quieter times but that's just a preference. For me any gym with childcare would have worked well when mine were little.

Best of luck op.

That's hilarious 😂😂

Good question. No, women only to me means women only. Not men who wish to be called female.
How would I deal with the backlash? Ignore it. If it got to the point it was negatively affecting my business? Address it. I would explain my reasons why but I'm not stupid, I see these activists won't stop until they ruin your livelihood because your views don't align with theirs. And if that happens, I'll have to just accept it. I won't change my views for money.

Support - yes I have incredible support. I currently work and have great help. I have the village so many woman need and deserve, it's actually what I've considering calling the gym.."the village gym".

We don't have a pure gym around us (for now), we have two big brand gyms and lots of little independent ones that seem to be very men focused.

I don't know, maybe I'm being too naive. Maybe my dream will only stay a dream. I just love the idea of it!

Not personally, but a very close family member does and would help me.

Thank you. That's the thing that's needed most I think, the childcare. So many more women now are caring less about what men think and going to gyms regardless, but so many women can't because they have little ones and no support.

I’m a single parent OP and would love somewhere like this. The only place near me that’s similar is the David Iloyd

We have a David Lloyd about an hour away from us. So for those that don't drive, don't want to travel far or risk the dreaded baby car danger naps, closer to home would be ideal.

What kind of business partners do you expect three young children will make?! Terrible idea.
Go it alone, sounds exciting.

😂😂😂
Good advice, my one year old will be devastated but I'm prepared to cut ties..