Posted by Mike Massie on March 11, 2010
Want To Fail Fast? Make Every Decision Based On What Other People Think…
Nope, I can't do it... but that doesn't mean I'm going to criticize someone else for doing it if it makes them happy and successful.
This morning on our forums, one of our members who is just getting started asked if she should start teaching three year olds.
Apparently, she is good at it and likes teaching that age group. And, there’s a demand for it in her area.
Here’s the thing… she was worried about what other people would think if she started teaching that age group. Of course, this created doubt in her mind regarding the best course of action for her to take in her business.
Thankfully, one of the members of the forum who has been in business for a few years stepped in and told her not to worry abut what other people think.
And I agree with what he said, completely. Running your business according to what other people think is the surest path to failure of any that I’ve seen in over two decades of teaching.
You may disagree with me in this particular instance, but bear with me… I am going to use it as an illustration of why you need to make business decisions based on your own judgment, and not on the opinions of others.
Getting Back To The “Teaching Three-Year-Olds” Dilemma…
Here’s the thing about this particular example – it just makes good sense from a business perspective for her to start this class.
For starters, she is just starting out. In this economy, and especially when you’re launching your school, you just can’t afford to turn away business.
Also, there’s a serious lack of competition in this niche. Think about it – no one wants that age group, and I mean no one.
And the best part is that it’s a hot market if you can handle it and you enjoy doing it.
Personally, I tried running a three and four year old class, and I hated it. But, that’s because I wasn’t good at it. I had plenty of interest though, and if I happened to be good with three-year-olds, I’d have stuck with it.
Would some instructors look down on me for it? Sure, but they aren’t paying my bills.
And, I’ll tell anyone – although I suck at working with three year olds, I greatly enjoy teaching the slightly older 4-6 year old group. In fact, they’re my favorite age group to teach.
So what if other instructors think I’m doing a romper room routine when I run that class? I could care less. I am doing something I love, providing enjoyment for those kids and their parents, and making a living doing it.
Let me tell you – there is NOTHING wrong with that.
Besides, It’s All Relative
When you think about it, anything under age 7 or 8 is just prep for the older kids classes, and any classes from ages 7-8 to teen is just prep for the adult classes. And, adult beginner’s classes are just prep for the advanced classes.
You know… where the “real” martial arts instruction takes place. 
It’s all relative… so who said you have to meet someone else’s standard of what a “real” martial arts class is in your school?
Don’t get caught up in that – it’s the quickest way to worry yourself out of business.
Who Makes The Rules On What A “Real” Martial Art School Is, Anyway?
Ten years ago, you’d have never seen a BJJ or MMA school with a kids program.
Now, every serious full-time BJJ or MMA school has some sort of kids program. Why do you think that is?
Obviously, it’s because we all deal in the same reality when it comes to running a business. What goes up must come down. The sun comes up in the east and sets in the west. Hot in summer and cold in winter. Businesses operate on cash. It’s just common sense.
Personally, if I want to learn combat sports or self defense, I am going to find the most qualified person around to train with. Then, I am going to try a few classes to see if I like that person… if I “click” with them, in other words.
If they are a world champion jiu jitsu player and a good instructor, what the heck do I care if they run a three and four year old class or an after-school pick-up program in the afternoons to make ends meet? How is that any different from them working a part-time job outside of the school to help pay their bills?
Personally (and professionally as well) I think it makes more sense for them to be making that extra income in their school rather than by working a part-time gig.
Why? Because that means their focus isn’t split – and that is going to make the school better because they are going to be able to be 100% committed to running that school.
So Before You Pass Judgment – Check Yourself
So, before you go passing judgment on a martial art school owner for teaching a program that you wouldn’t touch – let me give you some advice… check yourself and remember that you aren’t paying their bills.
Besides, someday you may be in their shoes… and you’d be surprised at how your opinions change when you have to make the rent on a full-time martial art school every month.
Posted by Mike Massie on September 29, 2009
I really enjoy grappling. While I don’t consider myself even to be an advanced student of grappling, I really enjoy the training and conditioning it provides. And, without a doubt good grappling skills are essential to being a well-rounded martial artist.
Grappling is a lot of fun... and the great thing is there are tons of great resources available these days for learning more about the grappling arts.
While good local grappling instruction has become easier to find over the last five or ten years, some of you may not live close to a good grappling school.
And even if you do, I can tell you from experience that without understanding the principles and strategies that underlie good grappling technique, you can flounder for years at the same skill level… even when under the supervision of a knowledgeable instructor.
More Opportunities Than Ever To Get Top-Notch Grappling Instruction
The great thing is that there are some really phenomenal grappling instructors right here in the U.S. that have chosen to share their hard-earned knowledge with the public via DVDs, online content, books, and seminars.
In no particular order, here’s a short-list of four American grappling coaches that offer really top-quality grappling resources and information for instructors and school owners:
Stephan Kesting
I happened across an ad for Stephan’s DVDs a while back, ordered one, and was highly impressed with both the quality and the content of the material. More recently, I subscribed to receive his Roadmap for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program, which I believe is the best free jiu-jitsu program for beginners I’ve ever seen.
In fact, his free books and DVDs are better than some of the grappling resources I’ve paid for in the past…
Stephan has a way of breaking down the basic concepts in a way that makes it easy to see the entire game of grappling, and how different pieces fit together. Stephan is also giving away a free grappling DVD right now, in order to promote his new online grappling concepts course (I don’t think he’s going to be offering it for much longer, so if you want the free DVD go get it now.)
David Meyer
David Meyer and his Aussie business partner John Will created one of the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu curricula designed to help martial arts instructors learn and teach BJJ. Although the course has been around for quite some time, the material is still relevant as a valuable resource for any school owner who would like to teach jiu-jitsu in their schools.
More an informal association than a draconian organization, their BJJ America affiliate program offers support and guidance for instructors who are sincerely interested in offering a legitimate grappling program in their schools. And although the DVDs and manuals aren’t cheap, their association fees are very reasonable (almost non-existent, in my opinion) and they are very easy to work with.
Roy Harris
It is my personal opinion that Roy Harris is the best-kept secret among American jiu-jitsu coaches and technicians. I have yet to meet anyone who combines the same degree of technical skill and overall intellectual depth as Mr. Harris. He turns out some of the most highly technical and physically precise jiu jitsu practitioners that I’ve had the privilege to witness.
You can find out more about Mr. Harris at his website, http://www.royharris.com/.
Erik Paulson
Erik is the guy MMA pros turn to when they need to know how to grapple for the cage and ring. One of the most highly respected grappling coaches in the United States, his knowledge of the grappling game and MMA makes him a highly sought after coach and trainer for both pro and up and coming amateur fighters.
You can find out more about Erik Paulson (and check out photos and videos of his new training center) at http://erikpaulson.com/.
In Closing
I know there are many, many more great grappling coaches here in the U.S., but please note that I chose to list the instructors above based on my own personal positive experiences with their DVDs and instruction.
At any rate, I hope that the above list may serve as a good starting point for those of you who may be just starting to add grappling to your repertoire, and also for those of you who are more experienced but are looking for new learning experiences.
Until next time,
Michael D. Massie
Blog: http://martialartsbusinessdaily.com/
Adult Curriculum: http://selfdefenseblackbelt.com/
Social Network for Martial Arts Instructors: http://www.masainetwork.com/
Business Manual: http://www.small-dojo-big-profits.com/
Resources: http://www.starting-a-martial-arts-school.com/
Summer Camp Manual: http://startingasummerdaycamp.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MartialArtsBusinessDaily
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mabizdaily
Posted by Mike Massie on January 28, 2009
Well, I said I didn’t see it happening anytime soon, but it looks like the UFC may coming to your home town after all.
And it ain’t going to be pretty.
Yesterday, Dana White of the UFC announced the launch of a nationwide chain of UFC branded gyms. White says he’s partnered with a private equity firm to help fund the venture (read: a bunch of people with a lot of freaking money). White’s partner, Mark Mastrov, says they have plans to open between 5 and 10 locations in the next 6-12 months.
Click here to see the interview on CNBC.com
That’s a very aggressive launch, and I don’t doubt that they’ll be able to do just that. In fact, if you operate a school in a large market (like Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Houston, Las Vegas, etc.) you should probably expect to be competing with the UFC very soon.
Yep, that’s right… you can expect to be going head-to-head with the biggest marketing juggernaut the martial arts industry has ever seen.
So, Should Martial Art School Owners Be Worried?
In a nutshell, yes. The UFC has the power and financial backing to do what no one else has done before – and that’s take martial arts instruction and training into the big box gyms.
Just imagine what it would be like if Bally’s, Gold’s, 24-Hour, or World Gym started hiring martial arts instructors and offered a full compliment of martial arts classes, that their members could take in an a la carte fashion… all incuded for their $20 – $40 a month membership price.
I think you can see where this is going. Even though White and Mastrov say they’re going after all those big-box gyms I just mentioned above, this bears some very bad mojo for martial arts school owners as well.
(And think about this for a second… if you have UFC equipment, hats, t-shirts, heavy bags, mma gloves, etc. on display or for sale in your school, you could very well be advertising for your future competition.)
So, Are There Any School Owners That Don’t Need to Be Concerned?
Yes, and here they are in no particular order:
- Martial art schools that have extremely low overhead and high profit margins; basically, those schools that follow a Small Dojo, Big Profits business model. (If you’ve been doing well during this recession by following such a model, you’re on the right track.)
- Martial art schools that cater to children, or that earn a significant portion of their income from teaching kids -
- Martial art schools that cater to families, and those that offer a family-friendly environment -
- Martial art schools in smaller communities and markets; chiefly those that don’t already have one of the big chain gyms in their area -
- Martial art schools that are owned and operated by savvy instructors who know how to capitalize on the UFC’s popularity (see below).
But, Here’s The Good News…
But, there is an upside to all this. Once again, the UFC is going to be doing something that no one else has been able to do on the same massive scale in the history of the martial arts industry.
And, that’s to introduce martial arts to the masses. So, it’s going to be up to the individual, independent school owner to capitalize on the UFC’s move into the fitness market, and to turn that to their favor.
How?
By doing what I’ve been telling you to do all along… and it’s the exact same thing that the most successful independent personal trainers in the fitness industry have been doing for years:
- Go small.
- Go niche.
- Go personal.
- Go boutique.
- Charge more.
- And, offer a higher quality of service than the big-box gyms can possibly ever offer.
In other words, don’t try to beat Wal-Mart at their own game. Specialize by picking a niche and do it better than anyone else in your market. (And you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be coaching my clients on how to do exactly that in 2009.)
A Few Parting Thoughts
Overall, since Dana White took over the UFC has been very good for the martial arts industry in general. Dana has taken a sport that had become something of an embarrassment to the industry, and he turned it into a household name.
And, in doing so, he’s helped bring a lot of business to martial arts schools worldwide.
So, if you end up with a UFC gym in your backyard, and you can’t find a way to turn the increased awareness and public interest in the martial arts that it’s going to bring into more business for your school, then don’t blame Dana White.
Instead, blame yourself for not figuring out your game plan now when I first told you about this potentially huge change in the martial arts industry.
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Mike Massie is the author of Small Dojo Big Profits and runs a martial arts business coaching website for new instructors and small school owners, StartingAMartialArtSchool.com.
