Hanshi Dave Kovar shares his proven framework for maximizing back-to-school enrollment success with his comprehensive 9 R's system - from refreshing your physical space to reactivating former students.

Dave explains why this season is "prime time" for martial arts schools and reveals why 64% of enrollments still come from grassroots marketing, his approach to achieving high monthly retention, and specific scripts for reactivating former students.

Drawing from over 47 years of martial arts business experience, Dave provides actionable strategies that school owners can implement immediately to capitalize on back-to-school momentum.

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In this high-powered episode of Raising the Standard, three of the martial arts industry’s top minds—Mr. Jason, Professor Bruce Hoyer, and Rick Herbster—come together to deliver a no-fluff blueprint for school owners ready to go from surviving to scaling.

Whether you’re stuck at a plateau or just want to sharpen your systems, this episode is packed with hard-earned insights, proven growth strategies, and real answers to the challenges you face every day.

You’ll learn:
- The mindset shift required to scale without burnout
- Tactical marketing and retention systems that actually work
- How top schools are growing in today’s market

If you’re ready to build momentum and take your martial arts business to the next level, this conversation is your next step.

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In this episode of "Raising the Standard," we’re joined by industry leader Jim Bundy, who shares his powerful roadmap for transforming a martial arts school from good to world-class. Drawing from years of experience coaching top-performing schools, Jim reveals the four essential components every owner needs to scale with clarity, purpose, and long-term success.

You’ll learn how to develop a vision that fuels growth, align your team behind a powerful mission, and implement systems that elevate your student experience and retention. Jim also shares insights on leadership mindset and decision-making that separate high-level schools from the rest.

If you’re ready to raise your standards, lead with intention, and think like a high-performance operator, this episode delivers the strategic blueprint to help you get there.

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In this episode of "Raising the Standard," we sit down with Kirsty Dickson, an accomplished educator and martial artist, to uncover the high-impact verbal and nonverbal strategies that can instantly transform the way you teach, lead, and connect. Drawing from her years of experience on the mat and in the classroom, Kirsty breaks down the subtle cues that influence student behavior, boost retention, and build authority—without raising your voice.

Learn how to adjust your body language, tone, and presence to command respect and attention, whether you're leading a kids’ class or running a parent meeting. Kirsty shares practical frameworks that every instructor can apply immediately, from using silence as a tool for focus to decoding student posture for better coaching.

This episode is a must-listen for martial arts school owners, instructors, and anyone who wants to become a more confident and influential communicator in any room they walk into.

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In this episode of "Raising the Standard," we're joined by Alexis Tearney-Kuhl, second-generation owner of Tearney's Martial Arts in Syracuse, New York. Alexis shares her remarkable journey of rebuilding her family's martial arts school from scratch during the COVID-19 pandemic while facing her father's cancer diagnosis. Learn how she transformed her social media presence into a powerful recruitment engine that allowed her to grow from teaching in her parents' basement via Zoom to owning a thriving 1200-square-foot facility. Alexis reveals her strategies for creating authentic content that stands out from competitors, how she uses paid Facebook advertising to quickly replace lost students, and her approach to efficiently managing recruitment efforts while balancing life as a business owner and mother of two. Discover practical insights on tracking social media trends, learning to use advertising platforms, and how to strategically "turn on the faucet" of new students whenever your school needs them. This episode offers valuable guidance for any martial arts school owner looking to build an efficient, effective recruitment system.

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In this episode of "Raising the Standard," we're joined by Professor Pete McHugh, owner of McHugh Jiu-Jitsu with over 800 students at his headquarters location. Pete shares his proven strategies for exceptional student retention, starting with assimilation before students even step on the mat. Learn about his automated response system that alleviates new student fears, his "three foot rule" for greeting visitors, and the specific engagement metrics he uses to build rapport. Pete reveals his systematic 30-day onboarding process, explains how he builds a culture where senior students mentor newcomers, and discusses how his podcast has "cured the blue belt blues." Throughout the conversation, Pete emphasizes the importance of creating a compelling future for students with clear milestones and goals. Whether you run a martial arts school or any membership-based business, this episode provides actionable insights to enhance student experience and boost retention rates.

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 In this insightful episode, martial arts school owner Steve Sohn shares his philosophy on student retention - the engine that keeps a martial arts school running. Steve explains why keeping existing students is more important and cost-effective than constant recruitment, and offers practical strategies for creating an environment students don't want to leave. From staying connected with every student, addressing issues before they become problems, and creating a supportive community, to handling the common challenges of student attendance during summer months and work schedule conflicts. Steve emphasizes that retention is ultimately in the instructor's hands, and while some student departures are unavoidable, many can be prevented through attentiveness, communication, and delivering on promises. This episode provides valuable insights for martial arts school owners and anyone interested in building customer loyalty and community.

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In this episode of "Raising the Standard," we're joined by Alexis Tearney-Kuhl, second-generation owner of Tearney's Martial Arts in Syracuse, New York. Alexis shares her remarkable journey of rebuilding her family's martial arts school from scratch during the COVID-19 pandemic while facing her father's cancer diagnosis. Learn how she transformed her social media presence into a powerful recruitment engine that allowed her to grow from teaching in her parents' basement via Zoom to owning a thriving 1200-square-foot facility. Alexis reveals her strategies for creating authentic content that stands out from competitors, how she uses paid Facebook advertising to quickly replace lost students, and her approach to efficiently managing recruitment efforts while balancing life as a business owner and mother of two. Discover practical insights on tracking social media trends, learning to use advertising platforms, and how to strategically "turn on the faucet" of new students whenever your school needs them. This episode offers valuable guidance for any martial arts school owner looking to build an efficient, effective recruitment system.

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Listen as martial arts legend Buzz Durkin shares the proven principles that have helped his students stay for decades - not just years. With students who have trained with him for 30, 40, and even 50 years, Buzz reveals his "people first, martial arts second" approach and how focusing on personal transformation creates lasting relationships. Learn practical strategies for building a school culture that turns students into raving fans, the power of the "my pleasure" philosophy, and how thinking long-term brings sustainable success. Whether you're a new school owner or a seasoned veteran, this episode delivers actionable insights to enhance your retention and build a martial arts legacy.

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