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...

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...

In the fast-paced world of martial arts studio management, success requires more than just passion and skill. It demands a winning mindset and a dynamic approach to team engagement. Just like martial arts students need discipline and adaptability to excel, studio owners must equip their teams to thrive in an evolving landscape.

The days of rigid, one-size-fits-all solutions are over. We’re now in the era of mass customization, where personalized, immediate solutions set the pace. If your studio’s operations and mindset aren’t aligned with this new reality, you risk falling behind competitors who are already embracing change.

Here are seven essential principles to transform your studio’s mindset, create an unstoppable team, and keep your students engaged and growing.

1. Prepare Your Team to Always Say “Yes”

Empower your instructors and staff to solve problems instead of merely reporting them. Whether it’s resolving student concerns or adapting class schedules, ensure your front-li...

In these uncertain times, where even the retail sector feels the impact of pre-election jitters, 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 our control, providing an exceptional experience isn't. Every class should be an escape from the outside wo...

Introduction:

In the dynamic world of martial arts, the journey of a studio owner is unique and challenging. It’s not just about teaching martial arts; it’s about building a successful business and leading a fulfilling life. In this post, we’ll delve into three critical aspects that every martial arts studio owner should focus on: Money, Meaning, and Self-Mastery.

1. The Role of Money in Your Dojo’s Success

Money is often seen as a controversial topic, yet its significance cannot be understated. For a martial arts studio owner, financial stability is not just about personal gain. It enables you to provide a better life for your family, invest in your dojo, and contribute to your community.

But how do you attract financial success? The key lies in action. Money is drawn to those who are decisive and proactive. Indecision and procrastination, on the other hand, are major deterrents. Your choices today directly influence your financial health tomorrow. Embrace this mindset, and wat...

Growing a successful martial arts business takes dedication, hard work, and a solid plan. If you're looking to take your business to the next level, having a business coach can make all the difference. In this blog post, we'll explore the invaluable insights and guidance a business coach can provide while also diving into the essential elements for success in the martial arts industry.

Building a Strong Foundation

To build a strong foundation for your martial arts business, you need to establish a clear vision and mission, a strong brand identity, and an effective business plan. Your business coach will be there to support and guide you through this crucial phase. Together, you'll create an inspiring vision that outlines your long-term goals and aspirations. Your mission will be concise and actionable, specifying how you'll achieve those goals. Your coach will help you craft a compelling brand identity that resonates with your target audience, ensuring your business stands out from t...

They all go through hard times.

Even the most successful people suffer through valleys and peaks of hardship and failure.

The mindset of belief that they can and WILL succeed allows them and will allow you to NOT be poor but to be a success!

Belief in self is critically important, but its important to note that it is the STARTING point to success.

The next step is to take action towards that belief.

Want an edge on taking that step?...

www.businesskombat.com

No matter where you are now, no matter how small of a step you take. You've gotta start.

"Success isn't a big step taken in the future, its a small step taken right now!"

I believe in you-

MAKE THIS A WEEK TO REMEMBER 

I’ve gotten this question so many times and it really makes my blood boil. Not so much at the question itself, but at the underlying psychology behind it.

And the question is: Should I raise my rates?

My answer: YES! Stop over thinking it. Stop it. Just raise your rates.

Here's why. You are worth more. In fact, 95% of you reading this right now are UNDERCHARGING!

The first digit in your monthly tuition price should be a 2. As in $200+ per month.

You owe NO ONE an explanation... (unless your plan is to raise current active paying member rates-which I'll discuss below)

As you already know, everything else in our world increases in price every year, heck, some things even increase every month. Yet, too many martial art school owners don't increase their rates.

Seriously, think about it, gas, milk, electricity, dry cleaning, beer, wine. water, airline prices, gymnastic lessons, health insurance, college tuition, gym memberships, rent, mortgage, payroll, internet, cell phones, Netfli...

Last week in one of our coaching groups I came across a question from an owner about some push back that he was experiencing from his staff about some forward changes he wanted to implement in his business.

Far too many of us struggle with this same issue of trying to keep everyone on our team happy while we trying to keep our business successful, so I felt it was important to share this with all of you.

As the leader of your martial art business there are some hard realities you have to learn to accept.

Reality #1. You will NEVER please everyone. You make decisions for your business based on the best information that you have and that you feel are in the best interest of YOUR business. The most successful people in the world today were once though of as "crazy" and got resistance at every turn. (ELON, JEFF, STEVE, BILL,)...The difference is, they BELIEVED in what they were doing and they KNEW that their idea would be for the better in the long term.

Reality #2- Humans are creature...

Implement these 5 things into your business this week and watch how different your results can be.

Doing things differently is going to be one of the secrets to improving your results for this year. Try and make your business the  go-to weekly thing for your members. Read on for our “in use” best practices on scaling your business, so you can build a lasting brand. 

Have a PLAN for referrals!  

There are two things we know that studio owners crave: a dedicated network of students and pro shop merchandise sales. With our new student referral program feature, there’s now an opportunity for your existing students to refer their friends to your school. If you need more details on this reply back to this email and we will send it to you FREE.  Now, owners of any size school can take advantage of student referrals immediately. This will  increase your revenue improve your sales and expand your student retention.

Product Updates 

Got a pro shop item that is new? Or maybe one that is good...