Black Belt Business

Maya is the CEO and founder of Alchemize Fightwear. They were exhausted of the fightwear options for women. So they decided to build woman’s gear that made sense for women's bodies, that is fashionable, fitting, and durable. Maya shares her journey in martial arts and the challenges women face in combat sports. She discusses the need for better gear designed specifically for women and the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive community. Maya emphasizes the benefits of jiu-jitsu for women, including increased confidence and the ability to be present in the moment. She also highlights the importance of building trust and providing value to customers in order to grow a successful business. Maya also discusses the process of starting a business and finding the right audience, as well as the significance of growing an online presence. She highlights the importance of meeting customers where they are and leading with value to build a community. She also discusses the realities and challenges of entrepreneurship, including dealing with rejection and loneliness. You can find Alchemize Fightwear here: https://alchemizefightwear.com/ 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 Want to grow your martial arts business without relying on ads? Email me "Triangle Codex" to : matthew@doubleyourdojo.com

Shane Tassoul, owner of Champion Martial Arts, shares his journey in the martial arts industry and the challenges he faced along the way. He is also a consultant for MAIA (Martial Arts Industry Association). From starting his first martial arts school to opening a second location, Shane discusses the highs and lows of running a martial arts business. Shane emphasizes the importance of transparency and relatability in connecting with others. In this conversation, Matthew Brenner and Shane Tossel discuss various topics related to business and personal growth. They touch on the devastating loss Matthew experienced when a publicly trading company he invested in went bankrupt. They also discuss the challenges of consulting, including being patient and dealing with clients who don't take action. The importance of listening and the struggle of implementing change are also explored. Shane shares the book that was most instrumental in his career. 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 Want to grow your martial arts business without relying on ads? Email me "Triangle Codex" to : matthew@doubleyourdojo.com

Stephen Reinstein, CEO and founder of Market Muscles, a marketing and website design company that helps martial arts schools create websites that generate new leads consistently. Stephen discusses the importance of strong websites for lead generation in the martial arts industry, and the problems most website have. He shares his experience of reaching 1 million leads and highlights the key trends in website design, including the use of AI and chatbots. Reinstein emphasizes the need for a professional-looking website that focuses on the customer's journey and pain points. He also discusses the challenges and frustrations of working in the website development industry and the importance of customer retention. Reinstein concludes by sharing the growth and expansion of Market Muscles and its headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia. Stephen emphasizes the importance of work-life balance and the impact of the book 'E-Myth' on his business. He also mentions essential tools like Slack for communication and shares personal stories and embarrassing moments. Contact Stephen here: facebook.com/sreinstein 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 Want to grow your martial arts business without relying on ads? Email me "Triangle Codex" to : matthew@doubleyourdojo.com

MJ Singh shares his journey from being a student to eventually opening 3 locations of Empower Martial Arts. He emphasizes the importance, as an owner and manager, of having a strong relationship with your instructors. MJ discusses his model of running boutique martial arts schools with a focus on quality over quantity. He also shares his strategies for finding and developing instructors, managing multiple locations, and marketing to attract new members. In this conversation, Matthew Brenner discusses marketing strategies for martial arts schools, the importance of diversifying investments, long-term investing and the compounding effect, keys to success in business, personal finance and savings, balancing personal life and business, hobbies and interests, influential books, and personal insights and beliefs.

In this episode, Kevin Kowalczik, founder of Raptor Martial Arts, shares his journey in martial arts and the inspiration he drew from Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles as a child. He discusses the importance of discipline and focus in martial arts and how it helped him navigate challenging environments. Kevin also talks about his experiences with bullying and the self-defense skills he developed. He emphasizes the importance of building confidence in martial arts and teaching students to stand up for themselves. Additionally, Kevin introduces Raptor Martial Arts, an online training platform for martial artists of all levels. In this conversation, Kevin Kowalczik discusses the diverse martial arts programs offered at his school, including Jiu Jitsu, Krav Maga, and MMA. He talks about the expansion of the MMA program, with plans to add forms, weapons, kickboxing, and an interactive virtual system. Kevin shares his personal training experiences in Jiu Jitsu and kickboxing, highlighting the importance of being a well-rounded martial artist. He addresses the misconception of performance martial arts and emphasizes the need for strong fundamentals before advanced moves. Kevin also discusses the balance between being a martial artist, business owner, and competitor, and the importance of active training and competing. He shares his perspective on wearing multiple hats in martial arts and the joy of seeing growth in students ____ You can find Kevin on instagram @kevinkowalczik ' If you want help growing your martial arts school organically, you can email me matthew@doubleyourdojo.com or DM me on instagram @blackbeltbrenner1

Jen Wetzel earned her 2nd degree black belt in December 2022. One year later, in December 2023, she was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer: glioblastoma. Her prognosis was 18 - 24 months. Even after the diagnosis, she continues to have perfect attendance at karate class. No more driving, no work as a doctor, long calls with insurance, family time and one trip to Florida. But a predictable routine: Chemo, radiation, karate. She wears a hat to cover her lost hair. She moves slower. But she is one of the most dedicated karate students we have ever had. She takes class with her two teenage kids, both assistant instructors at Action Karate. Her husband Tim Wetzel was the head instructor. He stepped back and now works as a part-time staff instructor to dedicate more of his time to family. Following the chronology, she wants to test for third degree, but she has a difficult road of treatment ahead. The physical demands of the illness would make every segment impossible: the fitness, the memorization, the performance. The news of her diagnosis was crushing. Many karate families are part of the support system that takes her to doctor appointments and makes meals. Instructors from all over asked what they could do for her and her family. We now have an answer: Donate to the Wetzel Family Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-wetzels-weather-this-storm Sign Up For Their Meal Train: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-wetzels-weather-this-storm Read more about her story here: https://www.actionkaratema.com/post/a-third-degree-black-belt-test-like-no-other

Brannon is the founder of One Martial Arts in San Francisco, where they have just shy of 1,000 students enrolled. In this episode, we discuss best practices for running martial arts school for longevity, including Matthew's strategy for ensuring quality instruction- that he calls Game Film Review. You need to steal this idea! In addition, we discuss marketing strategies for martial arts schools, and mindset mastery for entrepreneurs. You can find him at brannonbeliso.com

Ron Sell, CEO and CTO (Chief Technology Officer) of Spark, shares his journey from being a martial arts instructor to becoming a successful software entrepreneur- with no previous experience! He discusses the challenges he faced in starting and growing his businesses, the importance of perseverance and learning from failure, and the impact of personal health and family on his entrepreneurial journey. Ron also talks about his upcoming office headquarters and his passion for helping martial arts schools and other fitness businesses succeed. In this conversation, Matthew Brenner discusses his motivation, the importance of family, feeling alive through learning, the rapid advancements in technology, personal goals, business growth, the best gift he's received, his biggest fear, undesirable jobs, maintaining healthy business relationships, giving back, and spreading positivity. 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 Want to grow your martial arts business without relying on ads? Email me "Triangle Codex" to : matthew@doubleyourdojo.com

Matthew interview Cris Rodriguez the founder and CEO of Grow Pro Agency, a digital marketing agency for martial arts schools. She started as a martial arts student and eventually became the first female head instructor of a Taekwondo school. After falling in love with Jiu-Jitsu, she opened her own martial arts school, Gracie Pak MMA. Later, she partnered with the Martial Arts Industry Association to offer digital marketing services to martial arts school owners, leading to the creation of Grow Pro Agency. Cris emphasizes the importance of customer service and building a strong U.S. based local team. She also discusses the significance of setting goals and practicing gratitude. They discuss various topics, including financial literacy, the power of AI, and their goals for the future. You can find Cris here: Grow Pro Agency website: https://growproagency.com/ 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 Want to grow your martial arts business without relying on ads? Email me "Triangle Codex" to : matthew@doubleyourdojo.com

In this episode, Matthew Brenner interviews Stephen Oliver, a well-respected martial arts school owner, entrepreneur, consultant, and coach. They discuss Stephen's background in the martial arts industry, his transition to franchising, and the pitfalls of multiple locations. They also explore the evolution of marketing in the industry and the importance of building trust and credibility. Stephen emphasizes the effectiveness of testimonials and community outreach in attracting new students. Matthew Brenner discusses various aspects of running a martial arts school, including the adult market, understanding the needs of different demographics, marketing and enrollment strategies, the importance of long-term goals and retention, contracts the impact of online reviews and reputation management, different business models, and sales strategies. He addresses misconceptions about his approach to sales and persuasion. Finally, they discuss the changing consumer tastes in martial arts and how to adapt to these trends. Takeaways You can find Stephen Here: martialartswealth.com 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 Want to grow your martial arts business without relying on ads? Email me "Triangle Codex" to : matthew@doubleyourdojo.com

Donovan Ryder shares his journey from being an Olympic Taekwondo competitor to opening and expanding to 8+ martial arts schools in just a couple of years. He discusses the challenges and successes of running after-school programs and the importance of training and role-playing with staff. Donovan also highlights the benefits of being part of a mastermind and the ongoing learning process in the martial arts industry. In this conversation, Matthew Brenner discusses various aspects of running a martial arts school and investing in real estate. He shares insights on creating offers for entrepreneurs, structuring ownership percentage, and how to sell equity in your business. Matthew also highlights the power of revenue and profit, financing and loans, and the journey to success. He emphasizes the reality of real estate as an investment and dispels the myth of passive investing. Takeaways Opening and expanding multiple martial arts schools requires careful planning and adaptation to changing circumstances. After-school programs can be a significant source of revenue for martial arts schools, but they come with their own challenges and require dedicated staff. Regular training and role-playing with staff members can improve their performance and create a high-energy environment in the martial arts school. Being part of a mastermind or coaching group can provide valuable insights and support for martial arts school owners. Running a martial arts school requires constant learning and adaptation to ensure continued success. Creating an offer for entrepreneurs requires understanding their individual perspectives on hard work and providing incentives that align with their goals. When structuring ownership percentage, a common approach is to calculate it based on a multiple of the net profit, such as 3X net profit. Buying into a location can be determined by reaching revenue benchmarks and multiplying the net profit by a certain factor. Real estate can be a lucrative investment, especially when combined with other businesses in the same building, but it requires careful consideration and effort to fill vacancies. Work-life balance is situational and seasonal, with different periods of intense work and downtime depending on the business's needs and goals. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:17 Martial Arts Background and Olympic Training 09:26 Transition to Teaching Martial Arts 12:45 Opening the First Martial Arts School 17:27 Expanding to Multiple Schools 20:35 Starting After-School Programs 23:22 Challenges of Running After-School Programs 28:28 Training and Role-Playing with Staff 32:46 Mastermind and Coaching 35:39 The Thorn in Running a Martial Arts School 40:00 Creating an Offer for Entrepreneurs 40:30 Structuring Ownership Percentage 41:23 Buying into a Location 42:06 Power of Revenue and Profit 42:35 Financing and Loans 43:27 Transition from Financing to Loans 44:17 Investing in Martial Arts School 45:13 The Journey to Success 46:07 Real Estate as an Investment 47:31 The Reality of Real Estate 48:00 The Myth of Passive Investing 49:27 The Book that Changed Everything 51:03 Feeling Most Alive 52:00 Teaching and Work-Life Balance 53:23 Effective Communication with Marco Polo 55:12 Achieving Childhood Dreams 55:40 The Seasonality of Work-Life Balance 57:28 Documenting the Process of Hiring from Overseas 58:53 The Challenges of Visa Processing 01:00:48 Connecting with Donovan Rider Follow me on Instagram here: @blackbeltbrenner1 Want to grow your martial arts business without relying on ads? Email me "Triangle Codex" to : matthew@doubleyourdojo.com

In this episode, Matthew Brenner interviews Hannah Westerman, the founder and creative director of Avenue West, a design agency. They discuss the benefits of design services for small businesses, the process of working with professional athletes, and the importance of branding and website design. Hannah shares her experiences working with high-profile clients and the timeline and pricing structure of design projects.

If you are a parent or teacher of ANY kind, this episode is for you. Melody Johnson is a child development expert and founder of SKILLZ, a child development program designed to help martial arts teachers motivate their students to become the the best version of themselves, using science backed strategies. In this episode, Melody discusses her brain bank theory, which emphasizes the importance of making deposits and withdrawals in our mental resources. She explains that deposits can be made through activities such as getting quality sleep, exercising, eating well, learning, and connecting with others. Johnson also highlights the significance of building connection with children and making more deposits than withdrawals in their brain banks. She suggests being attuned to a child's nature and developmental needs, as well as empowering them to make choices. Additionally, Johnson emphasizes the importance of self-care and making deposits in our own brain banks. She delves into the concept of behavior by fear versus behavior by desire and how it applies to teaching martial arts. Melody also shares insights on coaching her son's flag football team. She discusses the effects of COVID-19 on children and offers advice on building positive conversations. Takeaways Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:27 The Brain Bank Theory 06:34 Making Deposits in Children's Brain Banks 07:27 Building Connection with Your Child 08:50 Making Deposits in Others' Brain Banks 09:19 Self-Care and Making Deposits for Yourself 13:23 Understanding Your Child's Nature 16:11 Attunement and Empowering Your Child 23:22 Balancing Deposits and Withdrawals 26:39 Energizing Activities and Recharging 29:44 Love Languages and Acts of Service 30:12 The Power of Active Service 30:57 The Five Love Languages 31:26 Theory X and Theory Y CEOs 32:25 Behavior by Fear vs. Behavior by Desire 33:23 Teaching Positive Behavior in Martial Arts 35:16 Using Trickery to Teach Focus 36:13 Coaching Youth Sports 37:12 Building Behavior by Desire 38:09 Understanding Child Development 41:02 The Impact of Negative Parenting 45:48 The Effects of COVID-19 on Children 46:43 The Importance of Positive Conversations 47:39 The Influence of Parental Conversations 48:09 Helping Children Earn Their White Belt 51:13 Building Behavior by Fear vs. Building Behavior by Desire 52:10 The Impact of Punishment on Identity 55:30 Giving Children Options to Earn Their Belt 58:54 Connecting with Melody Johnson 59:24 Recommendation for Martial Arts Schools You can contact Melody here: melodyjohnson@skillzworldwide.com Join her free facebook group here: Melody Johnson's Free SKILLZ Tips Follow me on Instagram here: @blackbeltbrenner1 Want to grow your martial arts business without relying on ads? Email me "Triangle Codex" to : matthew@doubleyourdojo.com

Matthew Brenner interviews James Noto, owner and instructor at Ambition Martial Arts, and Double Your Dojo Client Alumni. In this episode, you will discover how James used the Triangle Codex, an evergreen strategy to recruit new student predictably without paying for ads from Grade Schools, Daycares, and Businesses. They discuss various topics related to martial arts instruction, including his stealth strategy for how to keep kids engaged during camps, the challenges of changing instructors, the impact of martial arts on students' lives, and the importance of memorable moments in martial arts. James shares a story about an unfortunate incident at his Brooklyn school and highlights the importance of staff training and certification. He also discusses his decision to join Double Your Dojo for coaching and the impact it has had on his school's growth. The conversation explores the value of martial arts, the importance of physical representation in training, the journey of discovering martial arts as a career, the impact of martial arts on personal growth, and the connection between art and martial arts. Takeaways 00:00 Engaging Kids with Fights on YouTube 01:22 Introduction to Ambition Martial Arts 02:19 An Unfortunate Incident at the Brooklyn School 03:14 The Impact of Martial Arts on Students' Lives 07:30 The Challenges of Working with Parents 09:20 The Debate on Instructors' Physical Fitness 10:47 The Importance of Transitioning Instructors 13:09 The Long-Term Commitment of Martial Arts Training 15:35 The Challenges of Instructor Changes 17:03 The Impact of Martial Arts on Students' Lives 19:27 The Importance of Memorable Moments in Martial Arts 21:54 The Challenges of Staff Training 23:20 The Impact of Implementing Staff Certification 31:52 The Decision to Join W.O.Dojo 37:26 The Importance of Customized Coaching 40:14 The Impact of Staff Training and Certification 45:18 The Importance of Financial Growth in Martial Arts 46:45 Recognizing the Value of Martial Arts 50:02 The Importance of Physical Representation in Training 51:22 Discovering Martial Arts as a Career 55:40 The Impact of Martial Arts on Personal Growth 56:36 The Connection Between Art and Martial Arts 58:57 Contact Information Contact Matthew here: email: matthew@doubleyourdojo.com instagram: @blackbeltbrenner1

Reid Presley is a renown martial arts competitor and co-owner of CE Karate. More recently, he launched Equipped, an online training program for martial arts athletes. Reid his background in competitive martial arts, his martial arts family, and the development of his own branded bow staff. He shares his journey from competing to training others and the importance of performance martial arts in boosting confidence and self-expression. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the role of martial arts in personal growth and overcoming shyness. Reid Presley discusses his family's martial arts history, his experience teaching professionally at Premiere. He also shares insights into pre-sales and school launches, as well as his future plans for opening a brick and mortar school. Reid reveals his favorite and least favorite weapons, discusses the similarities between himself and Matthew, and shares the book that has shaped his career. Takeaways Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Branded Bowstaff 03:43 Competitive Martial Arts Background 07:25 Injury and Double Bowstaff 10:12 Performance Martial Arts vs. Combat Sports 15:51 Competing and Traveling 22:04 Popularity of Performance Martial Arts 25:26 Boosting Confidence and Community 26:52 Dealing with Nervousness 28:17 Family Involvement in Martial Arts 29:13 Family's Martial Arts History 32:06 Teaching Professionally at Premiere 34:30 Role as a Success Coach at Premiere 37:17 Workload and Responsibilities at Premiere 39:41 Pre-Sales and School Launches 43:25 Transitioning to Equipped and CE Karate 46:59 Future Plans for Opening a Brick and Mortar School 47:25 Favorite and Least Favorite Weapons 50:51 Similarities Between Reid and Matthew 52:58 North Pole or Sahara Desert 53:45 Cheese Curls or Popcorn Kernel 54:15 Book that Shaped Reid's Career 54:53 Feeling Most Alive

In this conversation, Lance Trippett, CEO of Academy Kings, a coaching company for martial arts businesses, discusses his experience in the martial arts school business and the transition to consulting. He emphasizes the importance of leads and retention in the industry, as well as the need to expand the market for martial arts to include more women and kids. Lance shares effective offers and sales strategies for martial arts schools, highlighting the significance of continuous learning and investing in masterminds and coaching programs. He also discusses the balance between running a business and personal life, and shares his experiences living in Colorado. We discuss various topics including hunting, moving the academy, favorite books, and more Takeaways: Chapters

Woooh am I excited to share this one with ya'll. Rob Ingram, founder of @McDojoLife on instagram,(550K Followers), shares his journey in martial arts and how he started exposing frauds in the industry. He discusses his experience with bullying and how martial arts helped him gain confidence. He explains how McDojoLife became a full-time venture and how he monetizes it. We also talk about the real-life consequences of exposing fraudulent martial arts instructors. He shares a personal experience of being sued for defamation by an instructor who had a registered sex offender at his facility. The importance of background checks and safety measures in martial arts schools is emphasized, with Matthew highlighting the need for local and federal background checks, cameras, and audio surveillance. He also discusses the need for measurable standards in the martial arts industry and the importance of running a martial arts school as a business. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the role and responsibility of martial arts instructors and the impact they can make. Takeaways Chapter breakdown

In this episode, discover how to create a HYBRID program for your BJJ or Martial Arts school. I speak with Brendan, the CEO of Wodify, a software designed to streamline processes for fitness based businesses (Crossfit/ BJJ/ Karate) and take them into the digital world by combining "in person" training resources with easy-to-manage digital training, to create a seamless experience for students. Wodify makes it easy for martial arts business owners to connect their brick and mortar to the online space- even if they aren't "tech savvy." Brendan explains how Wodify is digitizing the fitness experience for martial arts schools, including the use of looping videos and in-app chat. He discusses the company's focus on configuring the software to fit different martial arts and shares insights and data to help gym owners improve their businesses. Brendan and Matthew talk about the challenges of building a SAAS (software as a service) brand that appeals to multiple verticals. Matthew shares the difficulties of being a CEO, particularly in attracting and retaining talented individuals. He discusses the importance of developing relationships with employees and communicating the impact of their work. Key Takeaways Want to try out Wodify? Black Belt Business listeners get 50% off the first 3 months, visit wodify.com/podcast Tune in to learn more!

In this inspiring episode, join us as we sit down with Dave Silver, the visionary founder of Rec Philly and a Forbes 30 Under 30 awardee. Rec Philly, a thriving creative community, is dedicated to the belief that "independent doesn't mean alone." Their mission is clear: to provide creators, musicians, and artists with the essential support and resources they need to monetize their talents and achieve success. Dave shares his journey as an entrepreneur, discussing the challenges he faced while building a platform that empowers artists and fosters collaboration. We delve into the core values of Rec Philly and explore how they are shaping the future of the creative industry. We also discuss what people don't tell you about the hardships of entrepreneurship. But it's not all business! In this engaging conversation, we also take a break from the hustle and talk about the great outdoors. Dave and our host share their favorite hiking spots across the United States, unveiling some hidden gems and breathtaking vistas. Discover new trails to explore and gain insights into the mind of a young entrepreneur who is changing the game for artists everywhere. Tune in to this episode for a glimpse into the world of creativity, entrepreneurship, and the beauty of the American wilderness, all in one exciting conversation. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and get inspired by the resilience of the creative spirit.Follow me @blackbeltbrenner1 on instagram

I sit down with Josh Vogel, the co-founder of the Jiu Jitsu Company in Philadelphia and my personal instructor. Discover the intriguing journey that led Josh to leave his former Jiu Jitsu school and take the bold leap into starting his own academy. In a candid conversation, we dive deep into the world of modern Jiu Jitsu schools, examining the common pitfalls and misconceptions that many academies stumble upon. Josh shares his valuable insights into what it truly takes to create a thriving Jiu Jitsu community and foster a positive learning environment. But that's not all! We also explore the unique dynamics of running a business alongside his wife, uncovering the challenges, rewards, and secrets to their successful partnership. And, for a delightful twist, Josh opens up about his unexpected obsession with cats, offering a glimpse into the fascinating intersection of martial arts and feline fascination. You won't want to miss this episode filled with valuable life lessons, business insights, and a charmingly unexpected cat connection! Questions? DM me @blackbeltbrenner1 on instagram Josh Vogel DM him @theslothresport on instagram