The other day someone said to me in passing, "but you make a lot of money". It was a good thing I had finished chewing my food because I seriously would have choked! I think maybe some think I make good money but then I think many who know a thing or two about an opening business know we probably aren't. They say the first year of business is the make-it or break-it and that many don't actually make profit the first year. Well, we're definitely breaking it to make-it. Going out to spend money on something like a Subway sandwich is discussed with Snickers because it's simply extra money we don't have. Back in the day when I had a steady paycheck, coffee shop coffee was a daily routine, now it's a special treat that is limited to once a week and for road trips.
We've estimated that we need to make more than the average two-person's income to cover all our expenses for both our club and house -- to break even. This estimated figure covers ONLY the necessities but you know there are always unexpected expenses that come with running a business. There are no extra nights out or extra spending money in this estimated figure. Instead there is rent, electricity, water, insurance, internet, security, and so forth... the list goes on, longer than one might think. I get $50 a week for my food and I have no choice but to make it work. You see, our priority is our club, our dream -- keeping it going and paying off the start-up load that I'm sure my father would seriously poop his pants if he knew I took on such a gigantic lump sum of cash. Our priorities aren't fanciful things and spending extra money that we don't have for pleasure no longer gives us much pleasure because our first thinking is our club.
Every month it can get pretty nerve-racking, not knowing if we can cover all the bills and be able to payback some of our start-up loan but we constantly remind ourselves to stay positive. No one wants to train with a grumpy coach and energy is contagious, both negative and positive energy. More importantly, the struggle is to be expected and it's very much a part of the story so we're trying hard to enjoy it. In trying to stay positive and enjoy the struggle, we've made a simple point game out of making money to cover all our expenses. Not only does it really help make light of a topic that has the potential to be as uncomfortable and stressful as it is necessary, but it's been very interesting. We ARE afterall a business and yes, money is a necessary because smiles don't pay the bills.
The Hulk Point Game:
(total of expenses % 4 weeks in the month) % the price of a monthly membership = 8.89 (9 points)
According to our point game, we need 9 points each week to cover our monthly bills, that's 36 points per month. Any extra points earned (and by that I mean any extra money earned) is either put towards our start-up loan, catching up on a random overdue expense or using it for one of many random extra expenses, like new tiles for the girls private shower stall. No extra point ever makes its way to our personal private bank account. It ALL goes back into the club, perhaps the biggest misconception people have that leads them to believe we make loads of money. Yes, we make loads of money but it also takes an extra big load of money to run the club. Our club's monthly water bill alone, for example, ranges from $340-450.
How to gain points:
1pt. = 1 month membership (both new and renewal)
2pts. = 3 month membership
4pts. = 6 month membership
7pts. = 1 year membership
Last week I scored 12 points and this week we scored 3 points on just Monday and Tuesday alone. Today Snickers scored an impressive 4 points by himself so we scored 7 points already this week and only need 2 more to meet the minimun point requirement for this week. So far Snickers has the lead this week but I am anticipating either gaining 4 or quite possibly an impressive 8 points with a meeting I have tomorrow with one of the parents of two of my mini Hulkies.
Point Game Rewards:
For the coach who gets the most points...
Bragging rights plus an end-of-week perk of that coach's liking. For me it's often a back and foot massage, for Snickers it's usually him staying out extra late with his boys or me giving him some of my leftover weekly food money.
For both us coaches...
Usually it's lunch out together before work, a special road trip out of town or buying something we've wanted to add to the club, like a display case I'm hoping to cash my extra points in for.
For our Hulkies...
With every extra point scored, we give out random bonuses and prizes to members though I'm sure they know nothing of our point game system we've devised. Such random things range from Hulk tank tops and chicken parties to driving members home after training and giving out free monthly memberships. A couple of weeks ago I had stacked up a couple of week's worth of extra points and offered a few of my friends free unlimited memberships. I must admit, it felt really good telling them that they could train for free at our club and for as long as they live in Korea.
Point Game Punishments:
We have designated punishments for not making the week's minimum point score. It usually means I give our cleaner kid the weekend off and I clean the club entirely by myself and then Snickers comes and works a chunk of his day off on Friday or we both go in extra early to work one day.
I really don't like focusing in on the money aspect of running a business but we are a business and it's a fundamental part of running a business so it's either we do so or we crash and burn. Making a game out of it has really helped us to discuss the financial aspect of business more freely and more comfortably because now it's viewed as a fun competition. And ultimately we all benefit from it because of the rewards and punishments we've included into the game.
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