In this episode, I tackle the 4 biggest myths about running school talks and show martial arts school owners how to turn them into a student-enrollment machine.

💥 Whether you think your area is too tough, or you’ve been burned by programs that didn’t convert, this episode is for you. Learn how to hack your way into local schools, convert 1-3% of students into paying members, and avoid burnout while growing your school. Don’t let these myths hold you back.

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, host Matthew Brenner interviews Aaron Hensley, a seasoned martial arts school owner of Premier Martial Arts, about his upcoming event in February 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. They discuss the event's keynote speaker, Andy Elliott, known for his controversial yet motivating style. Hensley shares insightful stories about his journey in martial arts, his successful business ventures, and his ambitious goals, including hosting a massive black belt graduation for 10,000 kids. The discussion highlights the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and pushing personal boundaries.

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In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, host Matthew Brenner speaks with Matt Chapman about his journey from running a successful martial arts school to transitioning into an online martial arts business.

Chapman shares his 35-year background in martial arts, his decision to move online after burning out from his physical school, and the use of the Thinkific platform to deliver his courses.

Chapman discusses how he started creating online content, his approach to selling courses both to his local students and a global audience, and the importance of maintaining physical teaching alongside online ventures. He emphasizes the importance of understanding your target audience, creating manageable courses, and building a community.

Chapman also shares revenue insights, reveals strategies for reducing churn rates, and offers advice for those looking to start their online programs, including the importance of marketing and maintaining discipline.

The conversation provides valuable tips for martial arts school owners considering expanding into the online space.

Want to see clips of episodes and behind the scenes footage of what it is like running martial arts schools? Follow Matthew on Instagram here:  ⁠@blackbeltbrenner1⁠

If you want to grow your martial arts school organically- WITHOUT relying on paid ads, and bring in 60 new students in 16 weeks, ⁠schedule a call with Matthew HERE to see if we’re a good fit for your goals: https://calendar.app.google/4iebpmfcm547p5Bu6

Want to see an 8 minute explainer video on how it all works? ⁠https://www.doubleyourdojo.com/⁠⁠

Matthew Brenner interviews Scott Bailey, a successful martial arts school owner who has achieved remarkable revenue and retention rates. His school makes almost $2M per year, with a 40% profit margin. Scott shares his journey from starting his martial arts school to becoming the number one school in the Spark software system. He discusses innovative programs, financial strategies, and the importance of community engagement. Scott emphasizes the significance of retirement planning, team development, and utilizing technology for efficiency. He also shares insights on expanding his business through real estate development and the success of birthday parties as a revenue source. This conversation is packed with valuable advice for aspiring martial arts school owners looking to grow their businesses sustainably.

Want to see clips of episodes and behind the scenes footage of what it is like running martial arts schools? Follow Matthew on Instagram here:  ⁠@blackbeltbrenner1⁠

If you want to grow your martial arts school organically- WITHOUT relying on paid ads, and bring in 60 new students in 16 weeks, ⁠schedule a call with Matthew HERE to see if we’re a good fit for your goals: https://calendar.app.google/4iebpmfcm547p5Bu6

Want to see an 8 minute explainer video on how it all works? ⁠https://www.doubleyourdojo.com/⁠⁠

Join host Matthew Brenner on the Black Belt Business Podcast as he sits down with Samantha Mitling, a martial artist, influencer, and five-time world champion. Samantha shares her incredible journey from starting karate at age five to becoming a competitor on the Amerikick National Team with over 200K followers on instagram alone.

In this inspiring episode, they discuss Samantha’s rise as a martial arts influencer, how social media is shaping the sport, and the challenges she faced growing up in a male-dominated field. Samantha also shares her insights on teaching, inspiring young girls, and her future plans to transform the industry through seminars and entertainment.

🎧 Don’t miss out on this powerful conversation about breaking stereotypes, building influence, and staying true to your passion.

Want to see clips of episodes and behind the scenes footage of what it is like running martial arts schools? Follow Matthew on Instagram here:  ⁠@blackbeltbrenner1⁠

If you want to grow your martial arts school organically- WITHOUT relying on paid ads, and bring in 60 new students in 16 weeks, ⁠schedule a call with Matthew HERE to see if we’re a good fit for your goals: https://calendar.app.google/4iebpmfcm547p5Bu6

Want to see an 8 minute explainer video on how it all works? ⁠https://www.doubleyourdojo.com/⁠⁠

Discover the secrets behind martial arts business success in this inspiring interview with Jennifer Waters, CEO of Seven Figure Dojo. Jennifer shares her journey from growing up in martial arts to building a seven-figure business that transforms martial arts schools nationwide.

Learn the core values, strategies, and systems she used to scale her business, the role of organic lead generation, and how embracing AI and innovative marketing can take your school to new heights. Whether you're just starting or looking to elevate your school to the next level, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you achieve your goals. Don’t miss out on learning from one of the top industry leaders. Subscribe for more business insights and success stories!

Want to see clips of episodes and behind the scenes footage of what it is like running martial arts schools?

Follow Matthew on Instagram here: ⁠@blackbeltbrenner1⁠If you want to grow your martial arts school organically- WITHOUT relying on paid ads, and bring in 60 new students in 16 weeks, ⁠schedule a call with Matthew HERE to see if we’re a good fit for your goals: https://calendar.app.google/4iebpmfcm547p5Bu6

Want to see an 8 minute explainer video on how it all works?

⁠https://www.doubleyourdojo.com/⁠⁠

Before you run paid ads or organic marketing, you are going to want to listen to this.

If you're running a martial arts school or thinking about scaling your business, this episode is packed with actionable insights! Josh Arcemont, a successful multi-school owner, shares his journey from running a family business to building a martial arts empire with over 350 students.

Discover how Josh leverages organic marketing strategies like school talks and partnerships, combined with powerful paid ad tactics, to create a steady stream of students. Learn how to retain top talent, scale efficiently, and avoid common pitfalls in the martial arts industry.

Whether you're just starting out or managing multiple locations, these tips will set you up for long-term success!

Want to see clips of episodes and behind the scenes footage of what it is like running martial arts schools? Follow Matthew on Instagram here:  ⁠@blackbeltbrenner1⁠

If you want to grow your martial arts school organically- WITHOUT relying on paid ads, and bring in 60 new students in 16 weeks, ⁠schedule a call with Matthew HERE to see if we’re a good fit for your goals: https://calendar.app.google/4iebpmfcm547p5Bu6

Want to see an 8 minute explainer video on how it all works? ⁠https://www.doubleyourdojo.com/⁠⁠

"Why Small Dojos Lead to Big Profits" isn't just a catchphrase—it's a proven strategy that martial arts school owners need to know. In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Matthew Brenner sits down with David Alvas, a multi-school owner, real estate investor, and personal finance coach.

Learn how David scaled his martial arts business to over $1.2M a year while leveraging smart partnerships, small-scale schools, and real estate flipping.

Topics covered:

How to scale your martial arts school without burnout.

Real estate investing tips for martial arts entrepreneurs.

The pros and cons of taking on partners in your school.

Lessons from David’s $400K profit flip during the pandemic.

Avoiding common mistakes in partnerships and leases.

Whether you're ready to step away from daily operations or thinking about taking your school to the next level, this episode is packed with actionable insights!

👉 Subscribe for more martial arts business tips:

https://www.doubleyourdojo.com/newsletters/3-min-black-belt-business-newsletter/subscribe

👉 Learn about Matthew's Triangle Codex system for organic growth: doubleyourdojo.com

Resources Mentioned:David Alvis’ Coaching: financialfitnessfocus.com

The Personal MBA - Josh Kaufman

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, host Matthew Brenner interviews Matt Tracy, a top performer in the martial arts school industry. Tracy operates a highly successful martial arts school in Westchester County, NY, boasting 514 students and generating $145,000 in monthly revenue.

The conversation covers various aspects of martial arts school management, including revenue generation, student retention, and trial enrollment tactics.

Tracy shares the story of how he transitioned from student to owner, the strategies he employed to grow the school from 90 to 300 students in a year, and the financial and operational challenges they faced.

Topics such as umbrella insurance, rental properties, investment strategies, and the integration of ChatGPT for administrative tasks are also discussed. The episode is filled with practical advice for martial arts school owners aiming to improve their business operations and achieve higher profitability.

Want to see clips of episodes and behind the scenes footage of what it is like running martial arts schools? Follow Matthew on Instagram here:  ⁠@blackbeltbrenner1⁠

If you want to grow your martial arts school organically- WITHOUT relying on paid ads, and bring in 60 new students in 16 weeks, ⁠schedule a call with Matthew HERE to see if we’re a good fit for your goals: https://calendar.app.google/4iebpmfcm547p5Bu6

Want to see an 8 minute explainer video on how it all works? ⁠https://www.doubleyourdojo.com/⁠⁠

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, host Matthew Brenner chats with Chris Casamassa, CEO of Red Dragon Karate. Chris details his extensive martial arts background and outlines Red Dragon's model for growth and instructor development.

They discuss the strategic process for opening new locations, focusing on internal development and maintaining quality through a combination of weekly meetings and performance metrics.

Chris emphasizes the importance of appearing successful to attract adult instructors and shares insights into running multiple locations effectively. The conversation spans various aspects of running a martial arts business, including the challenges and best practices for staff training, quality control, and adapting to evolving industry standards.

Chris also touches on his diverse career as an entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker, and the importance of setting the right example for students and staff.

Want to see clips of episodes and behind the scenes footage of what it is like running martial arts schools? Follow Matthew on Instagram here:  ⁠@blackbeltbrenner1⁠

If you want to grow your martial arts school organically- WITHOUT relying on paid ads, and bring in 60 new students in 16 weeks, ⁠schedule a call with Matthew HERE to see if we’re a good fit for your goals: https://calendar.app.google/4iebpmfcm547p5Bu6

Want to see an 8 minute explainer video on how it all works? ⁠https://www.doubleyourdojo.com/⁠⁠