How to Start a Lamaze Classes Business

Start a lamaze classes business by following these 10 steps:

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

We have put together this simple guide to starting your lamaze classes 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 Lamaze Classes 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 lamaze classes business?

Much of your initial costs will be tied to the training and certifications you will need to secure prior to opening for business. Certification and training classes can run anywhere from $300-1500 each, depending on the levels of instruction and the certifications being sought. If you also choose to intern or apprentice with an experienced instructor, you may need to budget for the income you won’t make, until you’re out on your own.

Other costs will include:

• Business license and insurance
• Rental fees for a classroom space
• Teaching aides, such as anatomy models, videos and pamphlets, birthing balls and related birthing tools, and other pieces of equipment, furniture, or electronics you deem necessary for teaching your classes.

What are the ongoing expenses for a lamaze classes business?

Overhead is relatively low, once established. You will need to periodically restock your class supplies, pay rent and web hosting fees, if applicable, and budget for travel expenses, in case you travel to see patients or to attend seminars or continuing education classes. The proper insurance for this type of business is critical for ensuring your organization is protected in the event of a loss of liability issue.

Who is the target market?

Your target market is expecting parents, both moms and dads. Especially first time parents, as they will be the most nervous and looking for proper guidance.

How does a lamaze classes business make money?

Lamaze class businesses make their money through the registration fees paid by the class participants.

How much can you charge customers?

Lamaze classes can range from $50 to $500, depending on the area in which you’re teaching and the levels of specific instruction you offer. Some lamaze instructors target more wealthy clients for one on one classes and follow-ups, throughout the pregnancy and even into the delivery room. This kind of individualized care is priced by the specific case, although some patients will easily spend thousands of dollars for a pregnancy assistant to be on call.

How much profit can a lamaze classes business make?

An instructors annual salary will average around $60,000. This will fluctuate, depending on where and who you teach, how many classes you offer, and how many teachers you have on staff.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Expand your fields of teaching to include other aspects of child birth, pediatric health, and child nurturing. As you broaden your teaching practice, you will be able to draw in greater numbers of customers, expand your business, and develop more marketable experience and expertise.

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

Certificate of Occupancy

A lamaze classes business is generally run out of a rented space. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

• If you plan to lease a location:
• It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
• Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a lamaze classes business.
• After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
• If you plan to purchase or build a location:
• You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
• Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your lamaze classes business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

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?

Although the logical choice for a lamaze instructor might be a person with a medical background, such as nurse, physical therapist, or medical trainer/teacher, there are persons from all walks of life thriving in this profession. Often, people experiencing their own pregnancies decide to learn more, become fascinated with helping others prepare, or find a passion in the child birthing and childcare fields. Ultimately, the best candidate is a person who enjoys teaching and talking to others, is detailed in their work, and desires to give the highest quality care and advice possible to new and expecting parents.

What happens during a typical day at a lamaze classes business?

Lamaze classes may be individual, high intensity one-offs, in which expecting parents are given lots of information over a few hours and are instructed on how to continue practicing techniques on their own. Or, the classes will stretch over many classes, in which techniques and information are introduced slowly, with more hands-on instruction. For both types, lamaze instructors are addressing class participants, discussing fears and misconceptions, and offering advice about how to proceed with your precious cargo. Day to day activities focus on preparing for these classes, re-stocking class instructional materials, scheduling future classes and enrolling new class members. Advertising and marketing the business and networking with related medical services and professionals will also figure into the day to day activities.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful lamaze classes business?

First and foremost, you have to become an expert in your field. Childbirth is a serious undertaking, with so many questions and concerns constantly arising. Expecting parents want to seek advice from highly qualified and experienced professionals. Your level of expertise and knowledge will directly correlate to your class loads. In addition to the lamaze instructions, you should have a background in medicine, either through practice or training, pertaining to patient care. You should also have some managerial or small business experience, as you are more than likely opening a small business without the assistance of a larger medical entity. Comfort in talking to patient/clients is also a bonus, as you will need to be able to speak clearly, with authority, yet also calmly and without elevating a patient’s levels of anxiety and trepidation about their approaching big day.

What is the growth potential for a lamaze classes business?

Traditionally, lamaze classes have been fairly popular, although some expecting parents have opted for a hospital and delivery doctor to be the primary caregivers. In more recent years, there has been a decided uptick in the number of lamaze instructors, midwives, and doulas entering neonatal workforce. Many parents are looking to be more aware of the childbirth process, want to explore alternative childbirth methods, or want to give birth in their own home. Accordingly, there is an expanding market for qualified and experienced lamaze coaches. And, don’t forget, babies are being born at a steadily increasing rate.