Brainstorming a triathlon coaching business name/website (Page 3)

I think Sisu is a really cool concept for multisport athletes and it sounds like a good name overall.  As a web address, I think you might run into the problem that it may be hard for people to spell.  One of the biggest things with business websites is that you want them to be short, memorable, and easy to spell.  I can see people spelling it "Sizu", "Sizo", etc.  I would also try to avoid having hyphens in a web address.  It's a lot easier to give the web address without hyphens and people will be more likely to get it right without them.  Just some things to keep in mind.

Good luck!  It sounds like you are really excited about this and it seems like it's reallly your passion.  I hope it goes really well for you. 

Congrats on your certification! How are you feeling these days?

Joel,

Although I'm a pretty poor slow awful mediocre triathlete, I did work as a teaching tennis pro for a while right after I finished college.  And in my business career I've advised a lot of start-up companies, helping them put together and execute their business plans.

To offer some comments & constructive criticism (in no particular order):

• Sorry, but "SISU" doesn't really do much for me. My first impression would be that it's an obscure anacronim for something, particularly if it's in all caps.  It's not a "strong sounding" word in English.  In my experience, it doesn't help when you have to keep explaining to your perspective clients what your name means.     
• Have you defined your target markets?  With most coaches I've known, the elite clients establish the reputation, but the grassroots (i.e., beginners) clients pay the bills. 
• Getting certifications is definitely a good thing.  USAT Level I would be a necessity to establish a minimum level of credibility.
•  Have you considered linking up with one of the established coaching franchises like Friel or Carmichael?  My local coach is a Friel Associate, which certainly helps with his marketing and credibility.
• Organizing as a business enity is good for the reasons mentioned above.  Don't know about the specific laws in VA, but in FL organizing as a LLC is the easiest and least complicated route.
• Even if you start part-time, make sure you keep separate books for your business.  Never intermingle your personal and business finances.
• Find a business mentor or advisor.  SCORE is a great resource for small businesses. 
• Consider linking up with a related, but non-competing business such as a LBS or local health club/gym/YMCA.  This can help you to tap into an already-established client base.  For example, gyms that hire golf pros to do specific golf strength & flexibility classes.  Our local YMCA brings in outside coaches a couple times a year to do Beginning Triathlon classes.   

HTH,

Mark

I appreciate your input Mark. I'll try to give you my thoughts below.

I understand...SISU/Sisu doesn't mean anything to anyone at first sight. I'm more interested in something that has a meaning to me and that fits my personality and the image that I want to project as a coach/athlete. I'm not looking to bring people in because seeing my company name gets theri attention directly. I'm not particularly interested in pulling random clients off the street. I'd prefer to build my client base on word of muth and my reputatation as a knowledgable coach with a passion for the sport. While this may not have people beating down my door, that's the way I'd prefer it. Once people chack out my web site and learn the meaning behind Sisu I think it'll really stick with them.

I'm open to coaching athletes of all abilities but I'd like to specialize in novices and folks looking to move up to the longer distances. I think that novices have the most potential to be rewarding clients for me personally. Taking someone who maybe battled their way through a sprint or Oly race and building them into an IM finisher...that's what excites me. Sure, it's be great to coach an elite level triathlete but we're talking maybe cutting a couple min off their IM PR or something. To me it just doesn't compare to helping someone achieve what they once thought was impossible.

I've got USAT Level I in the bag. I'm working on USA Cycling Level III and planning to get my CSCS certificate within the next year or so. I also have Total Immersion instructor certification, FIST certification, and USAT official on my list. Depending on how things go over the next couple years I'm considering going back to school for another degree...exercise physiology or something similar.

I've looked very briefly at a couple of those and I might consider it at some point. Right now I'd just like to get some experience and a bit more education. I'm not interested in loading up with clients so the marketing aspect isn't really that important. As for credibility, I guess it helps for people who just randomly stumble across me but like I said before, I'm looking to build my client base from word of mouth and my reputation from places like BT and my local triathlon shop.

I haven't looked into this yeat but I need to. Not sure what the difference is between LLC and Inc or what is involved with either.

Good advice. I'm going to look into opening up a small business account at my bank. I'm planning to buy some equipment like a CompuTrainer and some testing gear so I expect to show a loss for the first few years.

Awesome book