Okay, so you wanna know how I started my CPR business? Buckle up, it’s a bit of a ride.
First things first, I got certified. Obvious, right? But seriously, don’t even think about teaching CPR if you haven’t been properly trained yourself. I went through the American Heart Association (AHA) – seemed like the most recognized name. Found a local instructor, took the course, and got my shiny new certification card. Felt pretty official.
Then came the research. I spent a good chunk of time online, looking at what other CPR businesses were doing. What were they charging? What kind of classes did they offer? Who were their target customers? I even called a few pretending to be a potential client just to see how they answered the phone and what their sales pitch was like. A little sneaky, maybe, but hey, gotta do your homework!
Next, I figured out my niche. I didn’t want to just offer generic CPR classes. There are a million of those already. I decided to focus on daycare centers and schools. Figured they’d have a consistent need for certified staff and would be willing to pay for it. Plus, I genuinely wanted to help keep kids safe.
Got the legal stuff out of the way. This is the boring but important part. I registered my business name, got an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS, and looked into liability insurance. Talked to a lawyer friend to make sure I wasn’t missing anything crucial. Don’t skip this step! You don’t want to get sued down the line.
Started small with equipment. Didn’t go crazy buying a bunch of expensive manikins right away. I bought a couple of adult manikins and a baby manikin to start. Plus some pocket masks, gloves, and training supplies. Got a decent deal on Amazon, actually. You can always upgrade later once the money starts rolling in.
Created a simple website and social media presence. Nothing fancy, just a basic website with my contact information, class schedule, and pricing. Threw up a Facebook page too and started posting some helpful tips about CPR. Tried to make it informative, not just salesy.
Now for the hustle! This is where the real work began. I started calling daycare centers and schools in my area, introducing myself and explaining my services. It was a lot of cold calling, and I got rejected a lot. But I kept at it. I even offered a discount for their first class. Eventually, I landed a few clients.
Delivered awesome classes! This is key. If you want repeat business, you gotta make sure your classes are engaging, informative, and fun (as fun as CPR can be, anyway). I used real-life stories and scenarios to keep people interested. Got great feedback, which led to more referrals.
Reinvested the profits. As the business grew, I reinvested the money back into it. Bought more manikins, upgraded my website, and started running some targeted Facebook ads. Slowly but surely, the business started to take off.
And that’s pretty much it! It wasn’t easy, and there were definitely times when I wanted to give up. But I stuck with it, learned from my mistakes, and kept hustling. Now, a few years later, my CPR business is thriving. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it’s rewarding knowing I’m helping people be prepared for emergencies.
- Get Certified
- Do Your Research
- Find a Niche
- Get Legal
- Start Small
- Make a Website
So if you’re thinking about starting a CPR business, go for it! Just be prepared to work hard and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Good luck!
