En Garde Fencing Academy

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Executive Summary

En Garde Fencing Academy will be a USA Fencing affiliated fencing academy in New York offering beginner through competitive programs for youth and adults, summer camps, adult classes and armory service. Fencing is an Olympic sport that combines physical athleticism with quick decision-making. It tends to attract athletes who love a challenge and are willing to work at something difficult.

Most young people who try fencing have never considered it. It is not in most schools, and few communities have a club nearby. When a curious athlete does find it, the learning curve and the equipment cost can be barriers.

Here is what our numbers show. We expect about $116,205 in sales in Year 1, growing to about $324,180 by Year 5. We expect a small profit of about $3,600 in Year 1, then about $19,200, $55,600, $74,400 and $114,700 in Years 2 to 5. We need $93,500 to open, as the Funding Need Calculator in this plan shows, and we plan to start with $94,000: $15,000 of my own savings and a $79,000 small business microloan. These figures are estimates built from the assumptions at the end of this plan, not promises.

I am Sofia Vasquez, the owner and head coach.

Company Description

En Garde Fencing Academy will be a limited liability company (LLC) owned by Sofia Vasquez and based in New York. We will lease about 2,500 square feet of gym or studio space suitable for six fencing strips and equipment storage.

What we believe. Fencing teaches young people to think fast, lose gracefully and come back to the strip ready to try again. Those skills go well beyond the sport.

What we offer.
- Beginner classes for ages 9 and up with no experience required.
- Intermediate and advanced training for students ready to compete.
- A competitive team for USA Fencing sanctioned tournaments.
- Summer camps for one-week intensive programs.
- Adult evening classes for recreational and competitive adult fencers.
- Armory service: weapon repair, rewiring and tune-ups for fencers from other clubs.

What we do not do. We do not allow students on the strip without proper protective equipment at all times. We do not allow unsupervised minors in the facility. We do not guarantee a national ranking or a college scholarship.

Safety and rules. We carry liability insurance, require signed waivers and inspect equipment before every class. All protective gear must meet USA Fencing standards. Blades are checked for safe condition before every bout.

Where things stand today. I have coached fencing for several years, hold a USA Fencing certified coach credential and have identified a suitable space. Thirty-two students expressed interest before we had a building.

Problem & Opportunity

Many young athletes and adults who would love fencing have nowhere to learn it.

Availability. Fencing clubs exist mostly in major cities and in communities where the sport has an existing base. Many New York neighborhoods have no club within a practical distance.

Cost. A complete fencing kit costs $200 or more. Many beginners are not sure they want to commit that before trying the sport. A club with loaner equipment removes the upfront barrier.

Awareness. Young people who are told about fencing for the first time are often surprised to learn it is an Olympic sport with a clear competitive pathway and a strong presence in college admissions.

Adult options. Adult athletes who fenced in college or high school often have nowhere to train when they move to a new city. Adult recreational fencing is also a growing interest among people who have never played a sport before.

What we hear.
- A parent says her daughter watched an Olympic fencing match and asked every week for a year if she could try.
- An adult man says he has always wanted to try swordfighting and did not know there was a real version of it.
- A high school athletic director says he would love to offer fencing as a club sport but has no one to run it.
- A college fencer who recently moved says she has looked everywhere for a club to train with.

We do not promise to make every student an Olympian. We offer a serious program for anyone willing to start.

Products & Services

En Garde gives students of every level a real fencing program with certified coaching, proper equipment and a clear path to compete.

How it works.
1. Try it. New students can join a beginner class without equipment. We provide everything for the first month.
2. Join. Students enroll in a monthly program at about $175 a month in Year 1 for beginner or intermediate classes or $85 for adult classes.
3. Learn the basics. Beginner classes cover footwork, blade work, the three weapons (foil, epee and sabre) and the rules of a bout. Students try all three weapons before choosing a specialty.
4. Advance. Students who are ready move to intermediate training with more bout time and technical feedback. Coaches track progress and set individual goals.
5. Compete. Competitive team members train for and enter USA Fencing sanctioned tournaments. We cover entry logistics and provide coaching at the tournament.

Equipment lending. We keep a full inventory of loaner weapons and protective gear so new students do not need to buy anything to start. As students advance, they typically want their own equipment, and we help them choose and fit it.

Armory service. We repair and retune fencing weapons for fencers from other clubs, which brings in steady income between class sessions.

What we do not promise. We do not promise a ranking, a scholarship or a national team spot. We promise sound technique, honest feedback and a club that is serious about the sport.

Market Analysis

Who we serve.
- Children and teenagers ages 9 to 18 who want to try or develop in a sport with a competitive pathway.
- Competitive fencers who have moved to the area and need a club.
- Adults who want a sport that is different, challenging and something they can keep doing for decades.
- Schools and youth organizations looking for a fencing enrichment program.

How we estimate demand. We plan from what we can count. Thirty-two people signed an interest list before we had a space. Our Year 1 plan is for about 480 student-months (an average of about 40 students over the year), 55 camper-weeks and 188 adult class participant-months. By Year 5 we plan for about 1,200 student-months (about 100 students on average), 136 camper-weeks and 460 adult participant-months.

Where students come from.
- Parent interest lists and school outreach.
- Competitive fencers who have relocated.
- Adult fitness seekers looking for something new.
- Word of mouth from current students.

Seasons. Fall and winter are busy, with competition season running from fall through spring. Summer camps fill daytime hours.

Capacity. Each strip can support a supervised class. We keep classes small enough that every student gets coaching attention during each session.

Competitive Landscape

What students do today, and how we are different.

1. No local fencing club. For many students, the choice is a long drive or no fencing at all. We fill that gap.

2. School fencing clubs. A few schools in our area have fencing clubs. They are limited in hours and supervision and typically do not have full competitive programs.

3. Online coaching. Some remote coaching exists for footwork and technique. It cannot replace live coaching and the experience of a live bout.

4. Other martial arts and combat sports. Boxing and karate studios serve some of the same interest in individual athletic combat. Fencing has a different culture, a different skill set and a different competitive pathway.

5. Another fencing club opening. If that happens, we will compete on coaching quality and club culture. We think there is room for more than one club if the sport grows as we expect.

What makes us different.
- USA Fencing certified coaching and a full loan inventory so students can try before they buy.
- Three weapons on offer so students can find their best fit.
- A competitive team with real tournament support.
- Armory service that brings in other fencers and builds club culture.
- Adult classes that serve the full age range.

What we will not do. We will not let a student on the strip without complete protective gear, and we will not overpromise on college or competitive outcomes.

Marketing & Sales Strategy

How students will find us.

Before we open (the three months ahead):
- Turn the interest list into founding members at a discounted first month.
- Build the website with class schedules, prices, an equipment guide and online sign-up.
- Reach out to middle and high school athletic directors and PTAs.
- Hold two open houses with beginner lessons and equipment demonstrations.
- Post short videos of footwork drills, a practice bout and what the strips look like.

After we open:
- Offer a free first class and a friend-brings-a-friend discount each semester.
- Hold a beginner clinic every Saturday morning for new students.
- Host a monthly invitational where students from other clubs can come and fence.
- Partner with two schools to offer an after-school fencing enrichment program.
- Send a short monthly newsletter with competition results and technique tips.

Pricing. We publish all prices. We offer a sibling discount and a discount for paying a semester in advance. Equipment purchases made through us earn a small credit toward tuition.

What we watch. New students per month, how many continue past the first term, competitive team size, camp fill rate and armory service jobs. We use that to decide where to spend our $3,600 marketing budget in Year 1.

Operations Plan

How the academy will run day to day.

Hours. Open four evenings a week for youth and adult classes, Saturday mornings and afternoons for all levels and full days during camps.

Safety. Every student wears a full-face mask, jacket and glove before touching a weapon. Blades are checked before every session. Coaches stop a bout immediately for a safety concern. Waivers are signed by every student and guardian. Children are released only to adults named by their families.

Equipment. We buy about $52,000 of equipment at the start: six strips with scoring boxes ($24,000), weapons inventory ($16,000) and protective gear ($12,000). We spend about $8,400 a year on repairs and replacement.

Staffing. In Year 1 it is me coaching full time. I add a part-time assistant coach in Year 2, and a second assistant in Year 4.

Money. Tuition is billed monthly. Camps and clinics are paid in advance. Armory service is paid at pickup. We keep simple books and review them monthly.

Risks and how we plan for them:
- An equipment failure during a bout. Blade checks before every session, spare equipment on hand and liability insurance.
- A slow start. Our cushion covers about three months of expenses.
- A competitive fencer moves away. We build the student base so no single student is a large portion of revenue.
- A lease problem. We negotiate a multi-year lease with a renewal option.
- Burnout. I add an assistant coach in Year 2 so I am not coaching every session alone.

Management & Organization

Sofia Vasquez, owner and head coach. I hold a USA Fencing certified coach credential and have competed and coached for many years. I have seen what happens to a student who throws herself into a hard sport and finds, after a year of work, that she has become a fencer. I will complete any additional certifications our insurer and USA Fencing require before we open.

What I bring. I am patient, technically precise and used to teaching a sport that most students have never tried. I also understand small business basics: clear pricing, careful spending and honest books.

Who helps me.
- A volunteer advisory group of three people: a college fencing coach, a physical therapist and a small business accountant.
- A bookkeeper, paid by the hour, who handles monthly books and taxes.
- An attorney who reviewed our waiver, membership agreement and lease.
- A weapon supplier who services our inventory.

My pay. I pay myself $44,000 a year from the first year. That is built into the numbers in this plan so the academy does not depend on unpaid work.

Milestones Narrative

Our goals and when we plan to reach them.

Before opening (Months 1 to 3):
- Month 1: Register the LLC, open a business bank account and sign the lease.
- Month 1 and 2: Install strips, flooring and lighting and take delivery of equipment.
- Month 2: Run two open houses and sign founding members.
- Month 3: Open for regular classes.

Year 1:
- Reach an average of about 40 students, 55 camper-weeks and 188 adult participant-months.
- Enter the competitive team in at least two USA Fencing sanctioned events.
- Complete armory service jobs for fencers from other clubs.
- Ask students for feedback twice during the year.

Year 2:
- Add a part-time assistant coach and reach about 55 students on average.
- Partner with at least one school for an after-school enrichment program.

Year 3 and beyond:
- Reach about 70 students in Year 3 and about 100 by Year 5.
- Add a second assistant coach in Year 4.
- Explore hosting a regional USA Fencing youth tournament.

Funding Request

How much we need and how we will use it.

Total needed: $93,500, as the Funding Need Calculator in this plan shows. We plan to start with $94,000, which covers that amount, with a little room to spare.

Startup costs: $72,000.
- Fencing strips (6) with scoring boxes and reels: $24,000.
- Weapons inventory (foils, epees, sabres - 40 sets): $16,000.
- Protective equipment (masks, jackets, gloves - 30 sets): $12,000.
- Leasehold improvements (flooring and lighting): $8,000.
- Lease deposit: $4,000.
- Legal and business registration: $3,000.
- Insurance first payment: $3,000.
- Signage and website: $2,000.

Cushion. The calculator adds a cushion of about $21,400: roughly three months of Year 1 expenses. That way a slow first season does not force us to close.

Where the $94,000 comes from. $15,000 of my own savings and a $79,000 small business microloan. An SBA microloan is designed for small programs and new businesses and typically funds startup inventory, equipment and working capital. Loan: $79,000 at 10.5% over 7 years, which comes to $1,332 a month.

Phase 1: Open with three strips, the full weapons and protective gear inventory and beginner through intermediate classes, and add the fourth through sixth strips once enrollment reaches 50 students.
Phase 2: Add the competitive team and the adult armory service once the class schedule is full, using profit from Year 1 and Year 2.

Sales and profit. Year 1 sales are about $116,205. We expect a profit of about $3,600 in Year 1, then about $19,200, about $55,600, about $74,400 and about $114,700 in Years 2 to 5. Year 5 sales are about $324,180.

Cash. The lowest year-end cash balance in the plan is about $44,300 at the end of Year 1. At the end of Year 1 customers owe us about $3,486, so we follow up on unpaid bills each week.

Where each Year 1 dollar goes. Pay: Owner / USA Fencing Certified Coach $44,000. Direct costs of goods and services: about $7,400. Other yearly costs: Rent and Utilities about $24,000; Equipment Maintenance and Weapon Repair about $8,400; Insurance and USA Fencing Affiliation about $5,500; Marketing about $3,600.

Appendix Notes

Documents to attach before you share this plan:

- Your business registration and zoning confirmation.
- Your insurance certificate.
- Your lease or letter of intent.
- Your membership agreement and waiver.
- Equipment quotes for strips, scoring boxes, weapons and protective gear.
- Your floor plan and occupancy check.
- Your USA Fencing coaching credential.
- Letters of interest from schools and fencing clubs.
If you don't have any of this yet, no worries - let's continue.

The assumptions behind our numbers (change them in the Financials section to match your own):
- Student Tuition - Beginner through Competitive (per student per month): 480 in Year 1 at $175, growing to 1,200 at $195 in Year 5. About $8 each goes to direct costs.
- Summer Camps and Clinics (per camper per week): 55 in Year 1 at $295, growing to 136 at $335 in Year 5. About $45 each goes to direct costs.
- Adult Classes and Armory Service (per month): 188 in Year 1 at $85, growing to 460 at $97 in Year 5. About $6 each goes to direct costs.
- Pay (a full year, per person, including payroll taxes and workers' compensation): Owner / USA Fencing Certified Coach $44,000; Assistant Coach (part-time) $24,000.
- Other yearly costs in Year 1: Rent and Utilities $24,000; Equipment Maintenance and Weapon Repair $8,400; Insurance and USA Fencing Affiliation $5,500; Marketing $3,600. These grow between 3% and 5% a year.
- Equipment: $52,000 at the start, then $4,000 to $6,000 a year.
- Startup costs: $72,000, paid once from $94,000 in startup money.
- Students: an average of about 40 in Year 1 (480 student-months), growing to about 100 in Year 5.
- About 3% of each year's sales is still owed to us at year end.
- Taxes: 21%, as a simple estimate. Check with a tax professional about how your business is taxed.
- Every dollar amount is an estimate. Replace them with your own prices, quotes and real costs.

Startup Costs