First of all, congratulations! Designing your gym and waiting for the league's response is, frankly, the most nerve-wracking step in the whole process. What will follow should be a far simpler task!
I do, as a matter of fact, have a few bits of advice to offer, though you may find some of them torturous and unpleasant at first. They are as follows:
1. FILL ALL YOUR PAPERWORK AS PRECISELY AS POSSIBLE AND IN A TIMELY MANNER. You'll thank me later. This is especially important when it comes to expenses that need to be reimbursed. Keep all receipts, separate those purchases from any personal items, and do not wait more than a day before sending them to the League accountants.
2. Becoming a gym leader makes you a public figure, as far as the locals are concerned. This will grant you a certain measure of respect, but also leaving open to their comments and judgements. Behave irreproachably when you are out and about, and make sure to be seen playing an active and positive role in the local community. Any form of charity they cannot witness will not count in their minds.
3. Unprepared beginners will attempt to challenge you, no matter how many warnings you may put in place. It's best to have a gentle but encouraging refusal speech ready, especially if you fear for their Pokémon's safety. As that might still not suffice, a medical kit on the premises is essential, as are a few snacks to soothe their disapointment.
4. Bring a book. Every gym has its slow days.
5. Your Pokémon that are too young for gym battles or that are not adapted to your format may become jealous of their teammates. Be sure to dedicate some time to their training outside of work hours, or give them tasks to accomplish around the gym while you battle. (I tend to put my little ones on garden path-clearing duty. No visitor has yet slipped on a stray leaf!)
6. If you have a specific theme, lean into it. Make it the first thing people talk about when they speak of you. It'll help spread the word about your gym. Also, if I must be honest, watching people's reactions to your performance is also amusing.
7. Lock any room in the gym that is not intended to be open to the public twice over. Thrice over. Travelling trainers are curious and see closed doors as a challenge. Strongly-worded warnings are not a deterrent.
I hope these meager tips will be of some use to you. Should you have any other questions or concerns on the subject, please do not hesitate to contact me. It would be my pleasure to assist you if it is within my power.
Sent at an ungodly hour of the night aka during gym business hours
First of all, congratulations! Designing your gym and waiting for the league's response is, frankly, the most nerve-wracking step in the whole process. What will follow should be a far simpler task!
I do, as a matter of fact, have a few bits of advice to offer, though you may find some of them torturous and unpleasant at first. They are as follows:
1. FILL ALL YOUR PAPERWORK AS PRECISELY AS POSSIBLE AND IN A TIMELY MANNER. You'll thank me later. This is especially important when it comes to expenses that need to be reimbursed. Keep all receipts, separate those purchases from any personal items, and do not wait more than a day before sending them to the League accountants.
2. Becoming a gym leader makes you a public figure, as far as the locals are concerned. This will grant you a certain measure of respect, but also leaving open to their comments and judgements. Behave irreproachably when you are out and about, and make sure to be seen playing an active and positive role in the local community. Any form of charity they cannot witness will not count in their minds.
3. Unprepared beginners will attempt to challenge you, no matter how many warnings you may put in place. It's best to have a gentle but encouraging refusal speech ready, especially if you fear for their Pokémon's safety. As that might still not suffice, a medical kit on the premises is essential, as are a few snacks to soothe their disapointment.
4. Bring a book. Every gym has its slow days.
5. Your Pokémon that are too young for gym battles or that are not adapted to your format may become jealous of their teammates. Be sure to dedicate some time to their training outside of work hours, or give them tasks to accomplish around the gym while you battle. (I tend to put my little ones on garden path-clearing duty. No visitor has yet slipped on a stray leaf!)
6. If you have a specific theme, lean into it. Make it the first thing people talk about when they speak of you. It'll help spread the word about your gym. Also, if I must be honest, watching people's reactions to your performance is also amusing.
7. Lock any room in the gym that is not intended to be open to the public twice over. Thrice over. Travelling trainers are curious and see closed doors as a challenge. Strongly-worded warnings are not a deterrent.
I hope these meager tips will be of some use to you. Should you have any other questions or concerns on the subject, please do not hesitate to contact me. It would be my pleasure to assist you if it is within my power.
Cordially,
Cecil