Going into business is a big decision. It is exciting, scary, and at the same time it will be the hardest you’ll ever work in your life. It can be rewarding, especially if you thrive on a constantly changing environment and like to make ALL the decisions.

I’ve had many people tell me they want to open a jump center so they can spend more time by bringing their kids to work. Yes, this is a good theory that works if your kids are old enough they don’t need constant attention. But, if you have toddlers, they will still need to be supervised at all times. My 10 and 5 year old would come along to work 3-4 times per week – especially during the school year, but the 2 year old would visit maybe 1-2 times per month. Why not more? It is really difficult to run a business & take care of all the details while chasing a toddler. This should not be your primary reason for opening a center.

Consider these other issues before jumping into self employment. Vacations are few & far between. They are also usually kept close to home for the first few years. Sick Leave does not exist for the owners. I was 8 months pregnant when we first opened. I had my baby on a Thursday and had to return to work on Monday to process payroll. Health Insurance is also a big consideration. It is expensive. We sacrificed health insurance on our family for two years. It was just too costly.

What’s the worst that can happen? Can you handle bankruptcy? Remember the statistics say over 50% of all first businesses fail. These are issues to consider. I have had many people ask me if a jump center can be a profitable business. YES it can, if it’s managed by the right business person. But this is true for ANY business. Remember, there are people who make money selling dirt, water, and anything else you can think up.

My disclaimer. The jump center I opened in 2004 has been very successful. Even through the many, many mistakes I’ve made. This does not mean every center that is opened will be successful. I had a few advantages that helped. My center was the first in my region. There was nothing similar anywhere. This was a big bonus for building name recognition. My husband & I also have a background in hospitality & customer service industries. We know customer service is what we sell and keep our customers returning. There are several jump centers that have gone out of business, some for sale because owners did not realize the obligation of self employment.