WHAT IS THIS?
As part of the FEC Network, we have been in the amusement attractions industry since 1995. From those years of experience, and our Fun Center Feasibility service, we developed the Startup Academy program. A simple, cost-effective, DIY business planning and startup course, for new amusement entrepreneurs looking to get a professional feasibility analysis, and completed fun center business plan, at a reasonable price.
There are many services out there that will do this for you (including our own feasibility & planning service), but they can be expensive, and it can be difficult to present to potential funders, if the entrepreneur does not have a grasp on the completed plan and it’s market data.
Startup Academy addresses this, by having the entrepreneur do the local research and build-out the plan with our materials and direct experience, coaching and consultation.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The Academy program is a 37 page WORD document with (7) modules, delivered online and in regular telephone consultations supporting each of the modules:
* Demographics
* Competitive Analysis
* Lease Space
* Build-Out
* Revenues
* Operating Expense.
* Project ROI
Each module contains a number of ‘Attachments’ which are the financial worksheets that support the written part of the plan. The program may be purchased as a complete package (all modules with the fun center business plan), or spearately with which ever modules may be helpful. All of the individual modules below are “Stand-alone Consultations” based on our Fun Center Plan. The fun center business plan needs to be purchased to support the individual modules. This may be a good option for developers who already have, or are capable of completing the feasibility and plan without all of our assistance, but require specific support with a particular part of the plan/process.
Each module is supported by our telephone consultation (coaching) and covers all aspects of not only the financial attachments, but the opportunity, the market, and the business as it relates to that module. That consultation is then used by you to complete the module on your own time. Proceed to the next module, repeat… and so on.
Once enrolled in the Academy course, materials are emailed direct to your desktop so you can get to work right away (this is not a course that may be completed on a mobile device).
After you have had a chance to review the materials included;
* 37 page WORD document written plan
* 27 Sheet financial statements (Excel)
* Full business forms and manuals
* 16 pdf guidebooks
Your business coach sets up an initial telephone consultation to further review the above materials, including your project goals, your local market and the industry. Typically lasting 60 minutes or so, this is our initial consultation and offers you a chance to ask any questions and for you and your coach to get on the same page regarding your business goals, the opportunity and a timeline for moving forward within the program.
Initial Consultation
In order to start moving forward, we need to uncover your market opportunity, and prosped project scope. What kind of amusement attraction best fits your business goals, the local market, your access to funding, and available space within your target market area and demographic age group? We help you find all the resources and data needed to answer these questions, and along with industry specific market data, amusement trends and potential activity mix, so we can start working with each course module.
The Academy program is an excellent online business development program that helps you keep focused and motivated while working together to complete your plan (project information is kept strictly confidential during the startup academy program).
Jason Hurly –
My wife and I have been thinking about starting a fun center business for some time. With Covid nearing an end, we felt this would an opportunistic time to get serious. Startup academy has been the right program at the right time for us. Derek has been incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. We look forward to working on each module with him
Thomas F. –
I purchased the FEC business plan then decided to upgrade to the academy program for more focused assistance. Very happy with materials and course. Able to use my original purchase towards payment, thank you!
Mr. Cleemont –
A note to the developer of this program. We started our fun center journey back in 2016, but struggled with the many facets of starting a new venture, especially with regards to the feasibility of such a business in our area. Nobody wants to waste time and money on a path of little or no return. We eventually found this program and were intrigued as the service seemed to be exactly what we had been looking for. Derrick has been very supportive and knowledgeable, and although we have had to step away for a few months, we are excited to once again be working with your office. We look forward to completing our project plan shortly.
Latricia Merrick –
Wow! At first I was quite skeptical about the value of this service for the price. Now, as a recent graduate I am very impressed. The information is current and goes way beyond what is promised. Our coach was available any time and the insight he brought to our concept was beyond expectation. Can’t say enough good stuff about this service, thank you!
Danny Patel –
Materials as described, plan is very well written and all the guidebooks and forms have been helpful to. The telephone consultations and support is very important and worth the price. thank you. I give you 3 star because the download process was very confusing.
Amusement Hub –
Hi Danny. Thanks for the review and explanation. Agreed, the process was a bit confusing, as we were having issues with our PayPal connector. We have made those updates 🙂
George Van Demere –
After going through this program we determined that the market for our project was not what we thought it was. It was sad news, but it saved us from making a huge, expensive mistake under our own assumptions. We were able to reconfigure a plan that is a much better fit for the opportunity and have since secured most of our funding. Thank you big time.
Anita Carlise –
I will admit I was very cautious about spending for this product. However, the program has been excellent for us. After paying we received an email as described, with a download link. There were a lot of materials in the zip folders and it took us several days to go through it all. Having the opportunity to work one on one with our coach is very helpful. Our many questions get answered and conversations are very informative. I can’t imagine not having this information and trying to “go it alone” with equipment suppliers, our landlord or the banker. The completed plan has led to three very good meetings with our own banker and two others in town, all of which have complimented us on our plan. We expect to be fully funded within a few months. Very helpful, and I can not thank you enough.