Congratulations! You have been running a commercial studio part-time and have been consistently growing to the point that you are considering going full-time. That in and of itself is an incredible achievement. Most businesses fail within the first few years. In addition, the majority of martial arts studios have less…

Just come to class, work hard, and listen to the instructor. In other words, train. This is certainly a great recipe to learn something, even at a high level. However, to master something such as a martial art, much more learning is required. The truth is, you can get a…

One size fits all. This is a great concept when it comes to socks and hats but does not apply to self-defense techniques. It is often said that good technique will overcome size and strength. While this is true, there are limits to this statement. Even with perfect technique and…

We all strive to be the best we can be. We all desire to improve ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. This is especially true when it comes to martial arts. One of the reasons for training is to become a better person, in all facets of life. In most martial…

Prior to getting into this post regarding the part-time commercial studio, let’s do a brief recap of how we got to this point. We got the ball rolling by starting some classes at a YMCA, fitness facility, community center, or similar type venue. …

The following article is the story of a student I had for many years. To respect her privacy, I am going to refer to her as TJ in lieu of her real name. The main reason I am sharing her story is that it is an inspirational one. Many people…

My goal is black belt. This is a black belt school. Black belt excellence. Minimum time required to earn a black belt. These are all things that you will see posted on the wall of a studio or hear being discussed by students, instructors, and parents. …

March 10 th, 2020. That was the last day I taught a normal, restriction free martial arts class. Over a year later, masks and socially distanced activities are still required in my area. We are quickly approaching a year and a half since the start of the COVID19 pandemic. While…

In this post I will continue my series on how to start, grow, and maintain a karate studio. In my last post I explained the importance of having a business plan and started going through the ins and outs of the business plan as it pertains to a martial arts…