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Home / Business Ideas / Airso Field Last Updated: September 19, 2023 by the TRUiC Team

HOW TO START AN AIRSOFT FIELD

Airso is an exci ng, fast-paced ac vity that people
can enjoy indoors or outside. Many individuals play it
as a team sport, some mes with military-style
objec ves. Basically, the game involves firing pellets at
opponents while trying to avoid ge ng hit. Players
o en seek specialized airso fields where they can
safely par cipate in the sport. You could start a
business by providing them with space, equipment, and
supplies.

Ready to turn your business idea into a

reality? We recommend forming an LLC
as it is the most affordable way to
protect your personal assets. You can do
this yourself or with our trusted partner
for a small fee.

Northwest ($29 + State

Fees)
DIY: How to Start an LLC

Start an airso field by following these 10

steps:
1. Plan your Airso Field
2. Form your Airso Field into a Legal En ty
3. Register your Airso Field for Taxes
4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
5. Set up Accoun ng for your Airso Field
6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Airso Field
7. Get Airso Field Insurance
8. Define your Airso Field Brand
9. Create your Airso Field Website
10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to star ng your airso field. These steps will
ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally
compliant.

Exploring your op ons? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essen al 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 very important. Read our detailed guide on how to name your
business. We recommend checking if the business name you choose is available as a web
domain and securing it early so no one else can take it.

Find a Domain Now

Search for your perfect domain... SUBMIT

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What are the costs involved in opening an airso field?

You'll need to rent or buy a substan al amount of wooded or open land. Some players
prefer rough terrain with hills and ditches. The field ought to have a small shop and
restrooms at a minimum. Op onally, a larger building can provide space for indoor play.
An old warehouse may serve this purpose well.

Your business needs airso weapons to rent out. Many guns sell for $50 to $275
individually, and high-end units can cost over $800. If you buy them in bulk, you'll pay
about 35% to 55% less. You will have to stock your shelves with basic supplies. Safety
gear proves necessary as well. You can buy a large commercial first-aid kit for around
$100. Be sure to obtain goggles, masks, and protec ve clothing.

What are the ongoing expenses for an airso field?

Even when players sign waivers and wear protec ve gear, you s ll need liability insurance.
A few insurers offer specialized airso coverage. This business involves more hazards than
the average establishment, so you're likely to spend at least $1,000 per year. Other costs
include maintenance, u li es, property insurance, adver sing, food, wages, and rent or
mortgage payments. You'll have to periodically replace rental gear as well.

Who is the target market?

Airso fields primarily a ract young men. Demographic data for the Airso ology podcast
suggests that about two-thirds of enthusiasts are between 18 and 34 years of age. Some
children and a few women par cipate. People may turn to airso as a way to escape from
stressful or mundane daily life. Many also play paintball, but airso holds greater appeal
for individuals who desire more realism and/or a less messy experience.

How does an airso field make money?

At a minimum, players pay for access to the field. These businesses frequently have daily
and weekly rates; some also offer hourly passes. Customers can rent equipment they don't
own, such as weapons and helmets. Most fields have retail stores that sell supplies like
ba eries, pellets, snacks, and beverages. You could prepare and serve meals or rely on a
food truck to do so. Income varies depending on the weather, and you'll probably have
more customers during weekends.

How much can you charge customers?

On average, players pay around $23 per day for field access. They frequently spend $12
to $25 to rent guns. Customers usually receive discounts when ren ng equipment or
paying admission for an en re week.

How much profit can an airso field make?

Thanks to considerable startup and opera ng costs, entrepreneurs find it difficult to turn
a profit on entrance fees alone. Retail sales can produce greater revenue. It's not unusual
to earn a 40% margin on guns, according to Independent Retailer. The same goes for
accessories like op cs. Try to carry products that people can't find at big-box stores such
as Walmart and Bass Pro Shops.

How can you make your business more profitable?

It doesn't make sense to pay for u li es and staff when you don't have any revenue. A er
you've had a chance to a ract customers, analyze your daily income, and only open the
business on profitable days of the week. Consider establishing an indoor arena so that you
become less dependent on dry weather.

Further ps include:

Add storage and order supplies in larger quan es.

Offer related ac vi es like paintball or laser tag.
Consider selling gear, supplies, and passes online.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a
step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal en ty

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when star ng your airso field is the
importance of establishing a solid business founda on. While sole proprietorships and
partnerships are the most common en ty types for small businesses, they're a far less
stable and advantageous op on than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and

partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business's debts and
legal ac ons, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your
business's liabili es.

In prac ce, this means that if your airso field were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts,
your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On
top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legi mate and
trustworthy.

More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC forma on
service to kickstart their venture. We've nego ated a tailored discount for our
readers, bringing the total down to just $29.

FORM YOUR LLC NOW

Note: If you're interested in more informa on before ge ng started, we recommend

having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best
LLC Services review (for those op ng for a professional service).

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!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more
about EINs, read our ar cle, What is an EIN?

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 essen al for personal asset
protec on.

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 protec on.
Makes accoun ng and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best
na onal bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Ge ng a business credit card helps you:

Separate personal and business expenses by pu ng your business' expenses all in

one place.
Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build
your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accoun ng

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

Make LLC accoun ng easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

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

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’ Compensa on
Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will
require you to carry Workers' Compensa on Coverage.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by
the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from compe tors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo,
then check out our Design Guides for Beginners, we'll give you helpful ps
and advice for crea ng the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended: Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up
required, or use a Premium Logo Maker.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code
Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and
publica ons, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market an airso field

A field isn't like a hotel or gas sta on that needs a highly visible loca on. Enthusiasts
willingly seek out these businesses and travel long distances. Make sure they can easily
find your website and contact details; add the business to well-known online field
directories. While you could adver se your establishment to exis ng players on relevant
podcasts and forums, it's also beneficial to promote the sport itself. Inform the public
about appealing aspects that a ract newcomers, and consider using limited- me specials
to encourage a faster response.

How to keep customers coming back

You could appeal to novice players by offering everything they need in one place. They
can get started far more easily if they don't have to go elsewhere for any of the
equipment, protec ve gear, or supplies. Allow new customers to play without prior
registra on. Avoid making the rules too lax or strict; find the right balance that ensures
safety while le ng people have fun.

To keep exis ng players, focus on providing an enjoyable, unique experience. Do

something special from me to me, such as offering free admission or bonuses on a
customer's birthday. Sell a membership that includes discounts on entrance fees and
merchandise. It's important to retain large groups as your customers; charge them a lower
per-person rate. You could also encourage repeat visits by handing out coupons that
people can only use at a later date.

STEP 9: Create your business website

A er defining your brand and crea ng your logo the next step is to create a website for
your business.

While crea ng a website is an essen al step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach
because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a
reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past
few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

All legi mate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your
business does not ma er when it comes to ge ng your business online.
Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a
replacement for a business website that you own.
Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made crea ng a basic
website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to
create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check
out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Ge ng a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your
personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also
helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legi macy, and makes
it easier for poten al customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone
system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and
ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the
best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the
features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

Airso is an exci ng, fast-paced ac vity that people can enjoy indoors or outside. Many
individuals play it as a team sport, some mes with military-style objec ves. Basically, the
game involves firing pellets at opponents while trying to avoid ge ng hit. Players o en
seek specialized airso fields where they can safely par cipate in the sport. You could
start a business by providing them with space, equipment, and supplies.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

ENTREPRENEURSHIP QUIZ

What happens during a typical day at an airso field?

You'll need to perform many different tasks, such as selling supplies, ren ng out gear,
ordering products, fixing equipment, and talking to customers. A referee watches the
players, taking ac on when necessary. Newcomers need to learn the rules and sign a
liability waiver.

What are some skills and experiences that will help

you build a successful airso field?
You will benefit from expert-level knowledge of this game and the associated gear. It's
helpful to know how to repair weapons, install accessories, and troubleshoot equipment.
Addi onally, you might perform some tasks more easily if you have experience working at
a retail or rental store.

What is the growth poten al for an airso field?

People started playing airso in the United States a er 1980. It has gradually gained
popularity since then. In 2019, Grand View Research predicted that airso gun sales
would grow at a rate of almost 7% through 2025. A few companies like Tac City have
started franchises. Small chains also exist; California-based Airso Extreme was
established in 1999. It operates several sites and stores in addi on to selling equipment
online.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informa ve videos about star ng a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you
start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the
help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough mes is a major factor of
success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about star ng a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit
Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and
advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered
necessary and useful informa on to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

Funding
Events
Guides
Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great
new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider ps for jump star ng an

airso field?
Many of the weapons look quite realis c, so people may suspect criminal ac vity.
Remember to inform the police before any outdoor games take place. Noise complaints
could also become a problem. Try to avoid loca ng your field anywhere near homes or
hospitality businesses. Make sure players follow the law. Ask for proof of each person's
age, and check guns for orange or red ps.

Supply customers with biodegradable pellets. Although it costs somewhat more, the
ammuni on dissolves when exposed to rain. This minimizes the mess le behind on your
field. It also reduces harm to wildlife and the environment. Warn people not to put
cheaply made or reused pellets in rented guns; they can damage the equipment.

Consider offering short-term passes for individuals who want to try the sport briefly
without staying all day. Treat newcomers and experienced players equally; be pa ent and
remember that many people have only just discovered airso . A person who spends small
amounts may eventually become a top customer if treated well.

How and when to build a team

One person would have difficulty opera ng the en re business. You'll probably need to
employ a referee. Look for someone energe c who possesses first-aid skills and thorough
knowledge of the sport. You could also hire a cashier for the shop. Both referees and
cashiers o en earn minimum wage.

Useful Links

Real World Examples

Michigan Airso Field

Further Reading
Online Airso Field Forum

Have a Ques on? Leave a Comment!

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