So I've been considering opening a business for sometime and in addition to getting people's reaction to the general idea I'd like to ask people about how they went about getting funding.

First of all I'm based in Portland Ore. which is a fairly active city but to be honest doesn't have a lot of good gyms - and I'd venture to say even fewer good gyms for women.

So the idea in a nutshell is a high-end womens' specific fitness center; kind of a curves meets the downtown athletic club. I know the market is saturated with curves-like gyms (which I think is great for somebody who is just starting to exercise, but nobody who is committed to fitness would join) and there are lots of coed gyms (which I think of as gyms that are geared towards men than women i.e. big weight floor etc...).

I think there are fundamental problems with both of these types of gyms; Curves is too dumbed down and coed gyms are not really geared right for women. I've seen that in addition to fitness, women are very interested in group interaction/socialization, fitness/nutrition/lifestyle education, personal empowerment/support, a comfortable/clean environment.

My gym will focus more on these other area's and less on the traditional "here's a weight room you know what to do" gyms and this is how.

1. classes, classes, classes - yoga, aerobics, pliates, strip-aerobics, bootcamp, you name it we'll have it. I think this has to be the major focus
2. large and diverse cardio area - let's face it, when I look around in the cardio area it's 75/25 women to men.
3. Education - interesting not necessarily fitness related classes on a less frequent basis that encourage knowledge and empowerment - self-defense, nutrition, fashion sense, rock climbing, introduction to free weights...
4. Provide a hip and clean environment to work out in - think four-star hotel lobby, sauna, steam room.
5. A good sized weight room that provides that has spotters who encourage you to ask the question "am I doing this right or how to you use this" not personal training more personal education again.
6. Good spiffs - everyone gives you a free personal training seminar when you join - but what about a free one every quarter or twice a year?
7. Great services - massage, maybe partner with laundry service for drop off pick up, maybe a small health bar
8. Unique promotions / pricing - biggest loser competition - winner free membership for year. Have annual memberships but also have affordable day passes. During nice weather offer free classes in downtown parks open to anybody...

So what do you think?

I've pretty much written a business plan and the SBA loved it but they kind of ran out of ideas really quickly when it comes to funding. I have some funds ($75K) but they are mostly tied up in retirement and I think to do this how I want would require 750K to 1M startup.

anyway thanks for reading and your opinions.