Unconventional Wisdom: Eight Wacky Schools
For these entrepreneurs, teaching their unusual skills — from exotic dancing to swallowing swords — is big business.
Entrepreneurs often are adept at combining a personal skill or interest with business savvy to create a new enterprise. But what happens when a person’s area of expertise is a little, well, unusual? As in fire-eating and snake-charming type of wacky. The enterprising performers on this list have created businesses out of teaching their special talents to others. And as it turns out, the businesses behind these schools are growing. Revenues in the fine-arts schools category, which as unlikely as it may sound includes such training, are projected to increase by nearly 3 percent this year to $4.73 billion, says industry research firm IBISWorld. By 2015, revenues are expected to jump to $5.72 billion. That’s a lot of clowns, dancers, musicians, sideshow performers — OK, you get the idea.
Trapeze School of New York
Founders: Year opened: Locations: Fee: Trapeze School of New York Acrophobics
Yogalaff
Founder: Year opened: Location: Fee: Yogalaff
The New York Goofs Clown School
Founders: Year opened: Locations: Fee: New York Goofs Clown School
Celebrity Bus Drivers Academy
Founders: Year opened: Location: Cost: Celebrity Bus Drivers Academy
New York School of Burlesque
Founder: Year opened: Location: Cost range: New York School of Burlesque
Scratch DJ Academy
Founders: Year opened: Locations: Fee: Scratch DJ Academy
Oaksterdam University
Founder: Year opened: Location: Fee: Oaksterdam University
Coney Island USA’s Sideshow School
Founders: Year opened: Location: Fee: Coney Island USA’s Sideshow SchoolEntrepreneurs often are adept at combining a personal skill or interest with business savvy to create a new enterprise. But what happens when a person’s area of expertise is a little, well, unusual? As in fire-eating and snake-charming type of wacky. The enterprising performers on this list have created businesses out of teaching their special talents to others. And as it turns out, the businesses behind these schools are growing. Revenues in the fine-arts schools category, which as unlikely as it may sound includes such training, are projected to increase by nearly 3 percent this year to $4.73 billion, says industry research firm IBISWorld. By 2015, revenues are expected to jump to $5.72 billion. That’s a lot of clowns, dancers, musicians, sideshow performers — OK, you get the idea.
Trapeze School of New York
Founders: Year opened: Locations: Fee: Trapeze School of New York AcrophobicsYogalaff
Founder: Year opened: Location: Fee: YogalaffThe New York Goofs Clown School
Founders: Year opened: Locations: Fee: New York Goofs Clown SchoolCelebrity Bus Drivers Academy
Founders: Year opened: Location: Cost: Celebrity Bus Drivers AcademyNew York School of Burlesque
Founder: Year opened: Location: Cost range: New York School of BurlesqueScratch DJ Academy
Founders: Year opened: Locations: Fee: Scratch DJ AcademyOaksterdam University
Founder: Year opened: Location: Fee: Oaksterdam UniversityConey Island USA’s Sideshow School
Founders: Year opened: Location: Fee: Coney Island USA’s Sideshow SchoolThe rest of this article is locked.
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