starting a dive shop

Question
Hi mike!!! I'm a grade 11 student and recently did my rescue course. I have to create a business plan for business studies and wonder if you could please help me by giving  me some pointer to  what steps I have to take to start a dive shop. for example do I have to get permission from PADI or any other organization to start a dive shop.... thank you for your time!! R

Answer
Hi Rochelle,

I've written lots of pages on starting a dive shop, including preparing business plans, so I'd first suggest looking through the questions I've already answered on this subject.  They're all listed in the section on previous questions I've been asked on the AllExperts website.  They include starting dive businesses in the United States as well as in other parts of the world.  You will probably find everything you're looking for in these previous answers.

However, one thing that I've not specifically answered is your question about needing permission from PADI or other organizations before starting a dive shop.  The short answer is "NO".  You can open a dive shop without the approval of any diving organization.  However, it's always to your advantage to gain the association of an organization like PADI after your shop is open.  As I've stated in previous answers, there are a number of requirements that a dive shop must meet in order to have their shop affiliated with an organization like PADI. Once you've gained the affiliation, the organization will provide you with lots of marketing assistance and will list your shop in their websearches so it gets your name out to millions of divers who would not otherwise know about you.  Affiliation with PADI is not cheap...you'll have to pay an annual membership fee to keep your affiliation but it's just another business expense.

Once again, Rochelle, look through all the stuff I've already written and see if it provides the information you need.  If you have a specific question that has not been answered, please write back and I'll be happy to answer it for you.

Best wishes for a successful study project!!

Sincerely,
Mike Giles
Mike's Dive Center