Hello dear diving community,
I've been toying with the idea of starting my own small, service-focused shop and workshop as a side business for some time now. The focus will clearly be on professional regulator servicing and cylinder logistics (as long waiting times at existing shops have bothered me immensely, two shops have closed due to the owners' retirement in the last 5 years, and the last remaining one is completely overloaded).
Since there's a wealth of experience here in the forum, I would be extremely grateful for some honest assessments and tips from you:
* Hurdles & stumbling blocks: What unexpected hurdles did you encounter (or are you aware of) when starting your own business in diving? What about liability and insurance (PPE)?
* Manufacturer recommendations: Which brands/manufacturers do you think are particularly beginner-friendly in terms of access to workshop training and spare parts? (I was thinking of brands like Mares , Scubapro or Apeks to start with).
* Requirements for training courses: Is it absolutely necessary to already have official dealer status to be admitted to the technician seminars, or is a business license sufficient?
* Best Practices: Do you have any tips on how a newcomer to a part-time diving business can gain the trust of local divers and clubs without having to build up a huge inventory?
I look forward to your feedback, your honest criticism, and your experience reports!
Have a good time and best regards,
Sabrina
