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...

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...

If someone were to ask you, “Where do you want your business to be in five years,” what would you say?

Would you answer one way out loud while your mind worries about being stuck in the same place you’ve been at for the last few years?

You know what I mean when I say “stuck”…

Low enrollment numbers, missed bookings, no show appointments and trial memberships that don't convert…

Month after month.

Here’s the thing about mistakes…

They’re meant for learning, not REPEATING.

What’s the definition of insanity? “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

It’s time to STOP the madness and face the FACTS…

• Your PLAN isn’t working, and you need one that routinely does the trick
• You have SYSTEM FAILURE, and you need one that’s proven and duplicatable
• Your STRATEGY went sideways, and you need the right one to attract, enroll and retain your ideal students

With the right plan, system and strategy, everything finally clicks and falls into place. It’s...

BONUS Clip from the Business Kombat Live show:🎥