Podcast Description

Summer should be a time to recharge — but for martial arts school owners, it often turns into a season of burnout and overwhelm. In this episode, Duane Brumitt and Allie Alberigo share real-world strategies to help you enjoy your summer while keeping your school healthy and profitable.

They break down how to plan intentional time off, train your team to operate smoothly in your absence, and use systems and automations to keep your leads and students engaged — so you can step away without losing momentum.

https://youtu.be/BzSDvTvGGfc

Key Takeaways

Why scheduling planned closures can strengthen retention and family loyalty

How to set and enforce communication boundaries with staff and parents

Tools and routines Duane and Allie rely on for owner self-care and productivity

The difference between delegating and abdicating — and why it matters

How Parkinson’s Law can help you work smarter, not harder

Real examples to protect your time off — without guilt

Action Steps for School Owners

Block Time Off in Advance: Review your calendar and set clear closure dates for breaks and vacations. Communicate these confidently to students and families.

Document and Train: Record videos and create clear SOPs so your team knows exactly what to do in your absence. Empower them to make decisions.

Establish Boundaries: Use Slack, email auto-responders, and defined office hours to train parents and staff when to expect replies.

Automate Marketing: Schedule your emails, push notifications, and social posts in advance to keep new leads and current families engaged.

Plan Recharge Time: Prioritize activities that truly help you reset — whether that means hobbies, quiet time alone, or family time.

Additional Resources Mentioned

Parkinson’s Law: Work expands to fill the time you allow for its completion. Give yourself less time and watch your efficiency increase.

Recommended Tools: Slack for staff communication, Spark CRM for marketing automations, ChatGPT for creating and refining content and SOPs.