Is your brain abuzz with a dynamite business idea? Do you think you’ve got what it takes to open an innovative cheerleading business or gym—and just need the resources to do it? We’ve got the goods to get you there, thanks to Nfinity’s Young Entrepreneur Competition.

We’re partnering with Nfinity to offer this exciting new venture designed to help up-and-coming cheer professionals get started on their professional path. Prizes include a $5000 cash prize from Nfinity, booth space at multiple events, a print ad in an upcoming issue of CheerProfessional and graphic design services for your business logo and ad.

To be considered, contestants must be 25 or under and submit the following business plan components to marketing@nfinity.com by 11:59 p.m. on August 16, 2013:

• projected overhead
• revenue sources
• projected revenue
• start-up costs
• past and/or present marketing strategies
• executive summary on your product or service (250 words)

So what are you waiting for? Go get started on your business plan to be the cheer industry’s next big thing!

The summer issue of CheerProfessional is headed for a mailbox near you! Designated as our “Athletes’ Issue,” this edition is designed to help you get up to speed on all things athlete-related. From collecting overdue bills to hiring an athlete onto staff, you’ll find it all in our pages, along with stories like:

The Long & Winding Road for LGBT:  Have the industry truly come a long way? CheerProfessional explores the treatment of gay athletes in all-star cheerleading, talking candidly with cheer professionals from FAME All-Stars and ACE Cheer Company to see where we stand.

Shades of Grey: Our writer Janet Jay talks with gym owners from Cheer Athletics, CheerGyms.com and more to find out where the line should be drawn between “good” and “bad” recruiting. Has your gym been on the receiving end of dirty recruiting? Tell us about it by emailing jen@thecheerprofessional.com.

More Than Business: Forming strong bonds with athletes is par for the course, but where should cheer professionals draw the line? This article explores the close-knit relationships many cheer professionals form with athletes—and the positive and negative ways they can affect the gym as a whole.

Two Sides: Are too many at-large bids being given to Worlds? Debbie Sprague of Capital Elite All-Stars and Theapia Best of New Jersey Spirit Explosion debate.

Cheer Pro-files: This issue is chock-full of great profiles of some of the industry’s most prominent faces and figures. Don’t miss our story on USASF “rules guy” Les Stella (and get a peek into his “Day in the Life!”) Also, meet the trio behind Texas’ perennial powerhouse Cheer Athletics—Brad Habermel, Jody Melton and Angela Rogers—and find out how they went from humble beginnings to hit machine.

Those are just a few of the stories we have in store for you this season—can’t wait to hear your feedback!

Inspired by our juicing article to go the DIY route? Here are some recipes to help you get started:

“Beet” the competition with this detoxifying, antioxidant-rich juice recipe from Cynthia Sass (300 calories):

Ingredients:

• 1 medium pear
• 3 beets
• 3 large carrots
• 1-inch fresh ginger root 

Get your fix of greens and fruits with this healthy concoction from Jared Koch (approximately 140 calories):

Ingredients:

• Approx. 6 medium kale leaves
• 1 large pear (add more pear if more sweetness is desired)
• 1-2 lemons
• 1 1/2 inches of ginger
• 2-3 celery stalks

**Add ½ cup water if juice is too thick 

Fill up on antioxidants with a cell-cleansing juice recipe from Jared Koch (under 150 calories):

Ingredients:

• 5 large, cleaned carrots
• 2 cups fresh cleaned blueberries (or other berries like strawberry or raspberry)
• 1 cup (packed) spinach or other leafy green

**Note: choose organic whenever possible.

Pressed for time? Outsource your juice habit to cold-pressed, organic juice delivery companies like Paleta (www.paleta.com) or Cooler Cleanse (www.coolercleanse.com).

Business experts and Gym Kix owners Carrie Harris and Stephanie Beveridge

Number five on our checklist of key steps that every business should take to start their business out on the right track is the Legal Requirements for Starting a Business.

To operate a business legally an organization needs to meet all the laws of the federal government, state government and the city and/or county where the business operates. 

Most businesses are going to need an Employer Identification Number even if they don’t have employees. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides clearly written documentation of what is required in terms of reporting. Other agencies may also have legal requirements. If you have employees, you will also have labor laws that you will need to follow. The Small Business Administration operates local offices in every state. These offices can be a great source of information about other local regulations you may need to be following.

There are laws and regulations governing the actual registration of the business and the business name, and there may also be licenses and permits needed to operate certain types of businesses. For instance, if you offer childcare at your gym, you may need to have special permits from social service or educational agencies. You can find out more about such regulations from your state business resource offices.

Helpful websites:

www.sba.gov

http://www.irs.gov/Businesses

-Carrie Harris & Stephanie Beveridge

Past posts:

Starting a Gym 101: Making the Big Decisions

Starting a Gym 101: Writing a Business Plan

Starting a Gym 101: Legal Forms of Business Ownership

Starting a Gym 101

Do you know an amazing coach who deserves to be recognized? Here’s your chance to give that person the spotlight he or she deserves!

This week, we are excited to announce our brand-new partnership with Americheer: “Dreams for Coaches, Too,” which will honor 20 show-stopping coaches for consideration as 2014’s Coach of the Year at the 2014 International Championship. The top 20 nominated coaches will receive:

• Custom Tote
• VIP Coaches Club Status
• Limo from Disney’s All Star Resort to Victory Party
• Champagne Toast at Private Coaches Reception at Disney’s Hollywood Studios following the Victory Parade.

One lucky coach will be selected as the 2014 Coach of the Year on Sunday, March 23^rd at the HP Field House at Disney’s Wide World of Sports! The winner will receive:

• Designer Tote
• Custom Coach of the Year Jacket
• Featured Article in CheerProfessional
• Airfare and Hotel Accomodations for the 2015 InterNational Championship
• Up to $1000 to compete at any AmeriCheer, AmeriDance or Eastern Cheer & Dance competition for the 2014-2015 season.

Nomination forms are coming soon—to find out more about eligibility and this exciting new program, click here….and make a coach’s dream come true!