This episode is a continuation from the Part 1 episode with the same name.

In this episode, Matthew and Solomon Brenner discuss the journey of scaling martial arts schools, focusing on the transition from the Builder Phase to the Scaler Phase.

Revenue Range: $30K–$50K/month
Focus: Build the machine. Stop being the machine.

• Key Responsibilities:
• Full-time team roles (head instructor, program director, admin)
• Dialing in retention and pricing for profitability
• Weekly team meetings and accountability systems
• Must Master:
• Staff development
• Metrics tracking (conversion rates, attrition rates, per-student value)
• Leading vs. doing

We'll have a follow up episode for...

Level 4: The CEO Phase

Revenue Range: $50K–$83K/month

Stay tuned..

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Matthew Brenner is joined by his brother and Action Karate founder, Solomon Brenner, to reveal the 4 phases every martial arts school owner must go through to scale from $0 to $1M in annual revenue.

Whether you're just starting out or you're already making over $50K/month, you'll walk away with actionable strategies tailored to your school’s growth stage.

From the Hustler Phase ($0–$10K/month) to the CEO Phase ($50K–$83K+/month), they break down the exact skills, systems, and mindset shifts required to grow a 7-figure martial arts business. They share personal stories from their journey scaling Action Karate to over 30 locations and $12M/year, plus what mistakes to avoid and what to focus on at each level of growth.

Perfect for school owners looking to:

• Increase student enrollment without relying on Facebook ads

• Improve retention with better systems and staff development

• Build a leadership team that runs your school when you're not there

• Stop feeling stuck at 100–150 students and finally break through

• Turn a small martial arts school into a million-dollar lifestyle business

If you're serious about growing your school and want to know how top-performing school owners are doing it without gimmicks, listen to this episode.

👉 Subscribe for more episodes on martial arts business coaching, student retention, marketing, team building, and leadership development.

This episode is part 1, part 2 will be released later for $30K+ schools and $50K+ schools.

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Matthew Brenner interviews his brother, Solomon Brenner, the founder of Action Karate. They discuss the impact of the current economic climate on the martial arts industry, the benefits of pop-up locations, and strategies for negotiating leases. Solomon shares insights on build-out costs and the importance of organic marketing in attracting new students. The conversation emphasizes empowering teams to actively recruit and engage with the community to ensure the success of martial arts schools. In this conversation, Matthew and Solomon Brenner discuss strategies for growing martial arts schools, emphasizing the importance of compounding enrollments, embracing rejection, and understanding fixed expenses. They explore the impact of economic changes on business and the necessity of controlling one's own financial situation. The discussion also highlights the value of investing in oneself and the importance of human connections in a technology-driven world.

Matthew Brenner interviews Jewelianna Ramos Ortiz, a martial artist, stunt actor, and aspiring film producer. They discuss Jewels' lifelong journey in martial arts, the challenges faced by female martial artists, and the importance of building a personal brand on social media. Jewels shares her insights on encouraging more women to become martial arts instructors and the value of martial arts in education. The conversation also touches on the transition from competitor to stunt actor and the impact of social media on the martial arts community. In this conversation, Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz shares her journey from a unique martial arts enthusiast to a successful stunt performer and actress. She emphasizes the importance of individuality, the connection between martial arts and stunt work, and the storytelling aspect of stunts. Jewelianna discusses her experiences with high-risk stunts, the challenges of navigating the acting world, and the significance of personal branding versus business branding. She also highlights the necessity of taking action in social media growth and the mindset required to succeed in the entertainment industry.

Follow Jewelianna @karate.jewels

Follow Matthew @blackbeltbrenner1

Matthew Brenner interviews Adam Kovacs, a former martial arts athlete turned entrepreneur, who shares his journey from a young karate practitioner in Hungary to becoming a successful fighter and later the co-creator of Karate Combat. Adam discusses the evolution of karate, the challenges of transitioning to a professional fighter, and the cultural shifts in how karate is perceived today. He also delves into the innovative approach of integrating cryptocurrency into fight promotions, the challenges faced in the industry, and the future of karate in the digital age. In this conversation, Adam S. Kovacs shares his journey through the world of martial arts and event production, discussing the challenges and lessons learned from his experiences with Karate Combat and his new venture, Dirty Boxing Championship. He reflects on the emotional toll of leaving a legacy, the importance of understanding the unique needs of fighters and fight promotions, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives him to create scalable solutions for the fight industry. The discussion also touches on the significance of branding, identity, and the role of ego in personal and professional growth.

Follow Adam @adam_skovacs

Follow Matthew @blackbeltbrenner1

Host Matthew Brenner interviews Cody Brien, a super fan and content creator for Cobra Kai. Cody shares his journey from being a passionate fan to becoming a YouTube creator, discussing his experiences on set, interactions with the show's creators, and the impact of Cobra Kai on martial arts culture. The conversation also delves into Cody's future plans for content creation, monetization strategies, and advice for aspiring creators.

Find him on @strike1stmedia

In this episode of the Black Belt Business podcast, Matthew Brenner shares a compelling story about how he generated 47 new adult leads for his martial arts school through organic marketing strategies. He discusses the importance of diversifying marketing efforts beyond paid ads, recounts a heroic act by one of his instructors that garnered significant media attention, and details the challenges faced in bringing a talented instructor from South Africa to the U.S. The conversation highlights the power of community engagement and the impact of personal stories in marketing. In this conversation, Matthew Brenner shares his journey of leveraging community stories and local engagement to enhance marketing strategies for his martial arts school. He discusses the importance of capturing authentic narratives, utilizing social media effectively, and creating strategic partnerships to drive student enrollment. Through a compelling story about a community member's experience, he illustrates how organic marketing can lead to significant media coverage and sustainable growth.

Follow @blackbeltbrenner1

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Matthew Brenner interviews Adam Snyder, the owner of the Fight Science Collective, who specializes in sports performance for martial artists. Adam shares his journey from a young martial artist to a professional coach, emphasizing the importance of recovery, nutrition, and a scientific approach to training. He discusses the unique challenges martial artists face compared to athletes in other sports, particularly regarding recovery and nutrition. Adam provides insights into common misconceptions about recovery practices and nutrition strategies for martial arts school owners and instructors, highlighting the need for planning and prioritizing health to enhance performance.

Follow Adam @fightsciencecollective

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/⁠⁠

Get a sneak peek behind the curtain of how Solomon Brenner runs the staff training and development for 30+ martial arts schools.

Want to learn how to enroll new students without depending on ads?

Learn the 3 pillars of the Triangle Codex system that Matthew uses with clients to enroll new students from schools, daycares, and businesses.