Social media makes running a martial arts studio look sexy and easy.

You see the highlight reels—packed classes, smiling students, black belt graduations, and big wins.

But what you don’t see?

The behind-the-scenes grind that actually makes a studio thrive.

Stuff like:
✅ Reviewing student retention numbers and fixing the leaks
✅ Analyzing class schedules to maximize enrollment
✅ Training your instructors so they can deliver exceptional experiences
✅ Handling parents’ concerns, answering DMs, and responding to Google reviews

This is the boring, unsexy work—the stuff no one cheers you on for.

But if you want a thriving, highly profitable martial arts business, it’s exactly what separates successful studio ownersfrom those who burn out and fade away.

The 3 Key Habits That Helped Us Scale to 17 Locations

After decades in this industry, I can tell you with 100% certainty that flashy ads and shortcuts won’t get you where you want to be.

Here’s what will:

1. Do the Boring, Unsexy Work

Entrepreneurship isn’t like most sports. There’s no final score, no trophy waiting at the end, and no finish line to cross.

And... Running a martial art studio?

That’s an entirely different kind of game.

It’s a game built for leaders who can take a hit and keep moving forward.

The truth is, success isn’t about avoiding failure. It’s about getting knocked down and refusing to stay there.

The First Wins Feel Easy… Until Reality Hits

When I first started, I had some quick wins.

💥 Students signed up.
💥 Revenue was growing.
💥 Friends and family gave me props.

I thought I had it all figured out.

Then… reality checked me. Hard.

📉 The new sign-ups slowed down.
📉 Referrals weren’t automatic anymore.
📉 The "hype" around my school started to fade.

And then came the talk from family—the one every martial arts business owner dreads:

“Maybe you should think about something more stable.”

Sound familiar?

If you’re an entrepreneur, this moment is inevitable.

Most people underestimate how muc...

Why Exceptional Class Experience and Customer Service Are Vital for Martial Arts Studios Now More Than Ever

In these uncertain times, where even the retail sector feels the impact of looming tariffs, martial arts studio owners have a unique opportunity to shine. Just as the broader economic environment influences spending habits and investment decisions, your ability to offer outstanding class experiences and stellar customer service can set your studio apart and stabilize your business.

Navigating Uncertainty with Superior Service: Recent trends indicate a significant slowdown in consumer spending due to economic uncertainties, such as those observed during tight election races. This nervousness can undoubtedly extend to memberships and class enrollments in martial arts studios. Now, more than ever, it's crucial that you make your studio an oasis of stability and positive engagement.

Focus on What You Can Control - Experience and Engagement: While macroeconomic factors are out of o...

Let’s talk about first impressions.

I was about five years into running my martial arts school when I decided it was time to buy my first new car. Up until that point, I had always driven used cars—or even cars I had taken in on trade for martial arts lessons. But now, I was ready to level up.

So, I did what most people do—I went shopping around.

A Tale of Two Dealerships

First stop? The Ford dealership.

The moment I walked in, something felt… off.

The sales guy greeted me wearing a wrinkled plaid jacket, a mismatched tie, and an energy that screamed ‘I don’t care.’ His office? A mess. Old food containers, scribbled notes, and prices written down on a yellow legal pad with no real transparency.

Sure, he was willing to “work a deal,” but the whole experience felt outdated and unprofessional. It was the kind of place I couldn’t wait to leave.

Next stop? The Mercedes dealership.

It was like stepping into another world.

Every salesperson wore crisp, black button-down shirts and m...

Let’s be real—feeling stuck sucks.

Maybe your motivation has tanked, you’re off track on your goals, or you’re drowning in negativity. Maybe it’s stress from business challenges, the never-ending noise of social media, or just the winter blues hitting harder than expected.

Whatever it is, I see so many people—business owners, professionals, even high achievers—struggling with the same thing right now.

So here’s the question: How do you break free from negativity, take back control, and actually start moving forward?

The answer isn’t some magic formula—it’s about one thing: leading yourself first.

Reality Check: No One is Coming to Save You

This might be tough to hear, but it’s the truth:

❌ No one is handing you a magic pill to fix your problems.
❌ No one is swooping in to change your circumstances.
❌ No one is going to do the work for you.

If you want to overcome negativity, anxiety, or the feeling of being stuck, it starts with YOU.

The biggest source of stress? Feeling like yo...

Here we are—three weeks into 2025—and I’m hearing it loud and clear: “I want to level up this year. I want to be the best version of myself. I want to take my studio to the next level.”

That’s amazing! But here’s the deal: some of you have a plan, some of you don’t, and a lot of you are stuck in neutral, waiting for things to magically change.

Let me hit you with the truth: if you’re not actively growing, you’re standing still. And if you’re standing still, someone else is passing you by.

So, how do we level up this year? Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Get a Mentor

You’ve probably heard this before, but let me be crystal clear: if you want to level up, having a mentor is non-negotiable.

Here’s why:
1️⃣ Mentors Save You Time: A good mentor helps you collapse time. They’ve already walked the path you’re on and can show you the shortcuts, the traps to avoid, and the fastest way to success.
2️⃣ Learn From Their Experience: Whether you’re trying to grow your student base, improve retentio...

Ego: Your Greatest Ally or Your Biggest Obstacle?

In the fast-paced world of martial arts studio ownership, confidence is critical. It fuels ambition, helps you tackle challenges head-on, and drives you to set ambitious goals for yourself and your team.

But there’s a catch.

Left unchecked, ego can quickly transform from an asset into a liability. It can blind you to feedback, strain relationships, and—most dangerously—stall your progress.

The good news?

You’re in control. When balanced with humility and self-awareness, ego becomes a powerful tool that not only sharpens your leadership but also strengthens your studio’s culture and community.

Unchecked Ego Stunts Growth

Have you ever dismissed feedback from a student, parent, or instructor because you felt you “already knew the answer”? Or resisted trying a new approach because you believed your way was the only way?

That’s ego talking.

Unchecked, it creates a false sense of invincibility. You might think, “I’ve been running th...

Are You Fighting in the Wrong Ocean?

Imagine this: you’re spending $30 a day on Facebook ads. That’s $900 a month. After three months, you’ve spent $2,700.

What do you have to show for it? A few leads, maybe one or two students.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the hard truth: Facebook ads are a “red ocean.” Everyone’s doing it, and they’re all fighting for the same eyeballs. In this hyper-competitive space, you’re paying more and getting less.

The Problem with Facebook Ads

Think about it: people don’t go to Facebook to search for martial arts classes. They go to check on friends, scroll memes, and see what’s trending.

When your ad shows up, you’re interrupting their experience. They weren’t looking for you—they were just scrolling.

This is why your cost per lead is high, and your conversions are low. You’re fishing in a crowded ocean where your bait doesn’t even match what people are hungry for.

The Blue Ocean: Advertising Where People Are Searching

If Facebook is a “red ocean,...

The New Year Is Here—Are You Ready?

2025 has arrived, and with it comes the energy of fresh starts and bold ambitions.

But here’s the truth: most New Year’s resolutions won’t make it past January.

It’s not because people don’t have big dreams. It’s because they’re missing two critical things:

1. A clear, actionable plan.
2. A compelling reason to stay committed.

For martial arts studio owners, these two factors can mean the difference between falling behind or making 2025 your breakthrough year.

Why Most Resolutions Fail

Progress in life—or business—can be simple:
Know where you are and where you want to go.

But here’s why most resolutions fall apart:
1️⃣ No Clear Plan: Without actionable steps, people flounder. They try one tactic, then another, and eventually burn out.
2️⃣ No Strong “Why”: People think they want success, but they lack a deeper purpose that keeps them motivated when things get tough.

The Secret to Momentum: Small Wins

Here’s what I’ve learned: big wins do...

Think you’ve got your branding figured out?

I thought I did—until I learned something very important from my friend and mentor, Steve D. Sims.

Steve’s not just someone who talks about branding; he’s someone who lives it. He’s built a reputation as the guy who makes the impossible happen. And his lesson on branding hit me like a front kick to the chest.

Here’s what he taught me:

Branding isn’t just a logo.
It’s not a tagline.
It’s not even a flashy website.

Branding is a feeling.

It’s what people say about you when you’re not in the room.

Are You in Control of Your Brand?

Steve challenged me with a simple question:

"Are you in control of your brand?"

It made me stop and think about how my studio shows up online, in the community, and even on the mat.

He gave me this exercise: Google yourself.

What comes up?

For martial arts studio owners, that’s a powerful question. Is the first result your website? Is it your glowing reviews? Or is it something you’d rather not have repres...