When I became a billing client of EFC, I attended one of their seminars in Atlanta. At the time, I was doing well with my school, though nothing like some of the EFC stars of the day.
It was nice to be recognized by the guys in Atlanta, who knew my name from the martial arts magazines.
As is common at these events, we shared information about student counts, and when I mentioned that I had 245 students—mostly adults—they seemed impressed.
What I didn’t know at the time was that there had been a huge boom in the children’s market, thanks to the popularity of The Karate Kid.
The guys in Atlanta implied that I was missing out on half the market because I didn’t have many child students.
I listened, thought about it, and then made one of the worst decisions of my career as a school owner. I started adopting their methods to attract and retain kids.
I implemented the student creed, introduced the message of the week, and had kids yelling, “Yes, Sir!” on command.
Over time, my school transformed from an adult-oriented dojo to what some would call a “family school,” full of children. This shift was more influenced by EFC clients than EFC itself.
The Cost of Compromising Your Vision
While my income increased, allowing me to pay off my house and save money, I found myself hating the work. I no longer wanted to be at the school.
It became exhausting explaining to a mom why her straight-A daughter had failed her blue belt exam. I realized I had strayed far from who I was as a martial artist and as a teacher.
For me, quality of life is crucial, and for the first time in my martial arts career, I had a job I didn’t enjoy. Most of the kids were fine—many were great—but some drove me crazy, particularly because of the control factor.
Managing kids and their parents is not an enjoyable way for a control freak to spend time. While many instructors enjoy teaching children, I realized that I don’t.
I had lost my way by following someone else’s path. But this experience taught me a valuable lesson.
Since then, I’ve made it a point to emphasize the importance of knowing yourself and understanding why you do what you do.
This is especially important today, with so many programs and methods available.
Staying True to Your Purpose
The martial arts industry offers a variety of approaches to running a school, each promising success in different ways. However, success is not one-size-fits-all.
What works for one instructor or school may not work for another. That’s why it’s essential to stay true to your own values and vision.
Ask yourself: What kind of instructor do you want to be? What type of students do you want to attract? What do you value most in your teaching?
Understanding these aspects will help you make decisions that align with your core principles, ensuring that you build a school and career that you love, not just one that pays the bills.
Conclusion
Knowing who you are and why you’re in this business is crucial for long-term satisfaction and success in martial arts.
It’s easy to be swayed by the success of others and the latest industry trends, but if those paths don’t align with your vision, they can lead to dissatisfaction.
Stay true to yourself, and build a school that reflects your passion and values. In the end, you’ll find that success isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the fulfillment that comes from doing what you love.