How to Start a Gardening Class Business

Start a gardening class business by following these 10 steps:

1. Plan your Gardening Class Business
2. Form your Gardening Class Business into a Legal Entity
3. Register your Gardening Class Business for Taxes
4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
5. Set up Accounting for your Gardening Class Business
6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Gardening Class Business
7. Get Gardening Class Business Insurance
8. Define your Gardening Class Business Brand
9. Create your Gardening Class Business Website
10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your gardening class business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

• What will you name your business?
• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?
• How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Gardening Class Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability.

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a gardening class business?

Costs for opening and running a gardening class business can be kept to a minimal, but there are some essentials that you'll need to get started and remain in business. This business requires gardening supplies, both for the instructor and for the students. You can stick with the basics to begin, but you will likely need to restock the supplies of tools, fertilizers, pots, buckets, soil mixes, watering cans, and other gardening essentials. You'll also want to create or rent a space in which to hold your classes. If you have space on your property, you may be able to create a permanent gardening classroom that works for classes year round. Chairs, workbenches, hoses, and a wheelbarrow or two are all good investments.

You'll need to spend some money on advertising, internet and phone access, a website and monitored hosting, business cards, signs and posters, and any business licenses specific to your area. You will also need comprehensive insurance, as you'll be interacting with the general public and asking them to engage in hands-on learning.

What are the ongoing expenses for a gardening class business?

Most ongoing expenses will be the tools and materials for explaining your gardening techniques. Lumber, soil, pots, and gardening tools are some examples. Additionally, you'll need to pay for internet and phone service, website hosting and maintenance, and some advertising.

Who is the target market?

Your target market will consist of individuals, 30-60 years old, who wish to increase their knowledge and understanding of gardening or farming.

How does a gardening class business make money?

Gardening class businesses make money from the fees paid by students or participants to take your classes.

How much can you charge customers?

The costs to run this type of business can be fairly small, but you will need to factor in materials costs for each class. Make sure you charge an amount that more than covers operating costs, yet isn't so expensive that it deters potential customers. Research the costs for similar hands-on seminars or classes in your area to help gauge appropriate and competitive rates.

How much profit can a gardening class business make?

A gardening class business can earn a reasonable amount of profit, most likely in the area of $7500-$10,000 annually.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Once you're established as a successful and knowledgeable teacher and gardener, you can look into teaching some more niche aspects of gardening, farming, and horticulture. Grafting, cloning, and pollinating or building planters and greenhouses might be too advanced for some, but will be interesting classes to offer in order to gauge student interest. You may also consider opening your own gardening shop, where you can offer students the same products you use in your classes.

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your gardening class business is sued.

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a travel photography business.

Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

In addition, certain local licensing or regulatory requirements may apply.

• Check with your town, city or county clerk’s office

Get assistance from one of the local associations listed in US Small Business Associations directory of local business resources.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

Is this Business Right For You?

Do you have gardening experience and a knack for talking to small and medium-sized crowds? Do you enjoy explaining and demonstrating gardening work to others? If so, teaching gardening classes could be an excellent fit for you. This type of business venture looks to help individuals become more adept at gardening, in exchange for a reasonable fee. Small business experience or teaching experience are also beneficial for starting up such a career. Gather your materials and organize some lessons and see your students’ gardening dreams come to life.

What happens during a typical day at a gardening class business?

A gardening class business needs class participants in order to be successful. Your biggest concern, then, will be connecting learners with the classes you are offering. This means catching their attention through numerous types of advertising and marketing campaigns. Social media posts, print and billboard ads, managing a website and related blog, joining online and regional gardening forums and organizations, and communicating and networking with people at any opportunity are all excellent ways to attract students. Additionally, you'll be preparing for current and upcoming classes, which requires gathering and storing various gardening materials and designing lessons. Finally, you'll be studying some yourself to stay on top of the latest trends, products, and techniques, even if you consider yourself a knowledgeable and experienced gardener. More knowledge is never a bad thing.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful gardening class business?

Since you'll be explaining the ins and outs of gardening and horticulture, it’s critical you have significant experience and knowledge in growing numerous different species in various conditions and climates. You should have hands on experience and a track record of success. You should also be excited about sharing your knowledge with others. Your enthusiasm will be an important factor in attracting new students and retaining prior learners.

You should also have some experience talking to crowds, either through public speaking or as a teacher or instructor. While you can always improve your delivery and lesson plans, it is important to be able to connect with your students and convey the ideas and techniques you'll be demonstrating from day one. This type of experience will also help you when planning for classes, as you'll be able to reflect on what materials will be needed and determine the scope of learning for each class. Planning for classes maximizes the effectiveness of the lesson and gives you more of a professional rapport with your student clients.

Finally, since you'll be running your own business, you should have some experience, knowledge, or training relating to small business management techniques. You'll need to regularly consider your budget and bottom line, the best ways to advertise, market, and promote, and how to turn teaching into earning. Although your gardening know how will be your biggest wealth of knowledge, understanding how to successfully run a small business is just as important.

What is the growth potential for a gardening class business?

Gardening is a popular and healthy trend. More and more people are choosing to grow fruits and vegetables or beautify their outdoor spaces with flowers. This also means greater numbers of consumers are looking for advice and insight on how to be more successful in their gardening endeavors. By positioning yourself as a knowledgeable and experienced, yet approachable, gardener you can create a teaching environment full of eager students. Factoring in the location in which you'll be operating, there is considerable room for growth in this market.