Tips On Starting Your Own Harpeth River Kayak Rentals Business

By Anna Olson


You can share your love for paddling by setting up a business that rents out canoes in your area. However, before opening shop, there are a few things that you need to learn. Keep reading for tips on starting your own Harpeth River kayak rentals business.

Do your market research. You need to be sure that the business you are looking to start is viable. Therefore, establish the existing demand for kayak rentals in your area. Also, you should look into the kind of services that many paddlers are asking for. In addition, it is imperative that you study your future competitors to understand their operations so as to draw up your market entry plan.

It is also vital that you create a business plan for the company you are looking to open. The plan that you draw will guide you in starting and running your venture. Therefore, it needs to be comprehensive and contain all the most critical aspects of what you want to do. Some of the things that you need to plan for include your initial capital requirements, operational and growth strategies.

Choose a location. Finding the ideal spot for your canoe rentals business is important to your success. So, look along Harpeth River for a great place to set up your company in. Ideally, you should select a location that is close to the water and has a favorable current. Such a spot will be conducive for both new and experienced paddlers. Also, you need to look into zoning regulations when deciding on a location.

Licensing is another critical issue to take into consideration when setting up a new company. Therefore, reach out to the local municipal authorities to find out about the minimum requirements for licensing of canoe rentals. You will also need to get the health and safety certifications that a business like yours requires. Getting appropriate insurance covers for your venture will be vital too.

To fund your kayak rental venture, there are a couple of financing options that you can explore. These include seeking a loan from your bank or any other lender. Most lenders will ask for your business plan so as to verify the viability of your startup. Other ways of funding your startup include borrowing money from family and friends, working with an investor and using your personal savings.

To succeed, it is important that you provide your clients with a variety of high-quality kayaks to choose from. As a result, you need to do your research so as to buy the best vessels. The website of the America Outdoors Association has a list of suppliers of both new and used canoes. The organization also lists sellers of various canoeing equipment such as paddles and safety gears.

Prior to starting operations, you will need to recruit a number of staffs. You will need people to be in charge of receiving reservations, guiding new paddlers and repairing the vessels. To succeed in this industry, marketing is extremely vital. Therefore, ensure that your business has a website and social media presence. Also, you should focus on providing the best services around the Harpeth River. This will make getting repeat and new customers easier.




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