| The Truth About Martial Arts Consulting | | | | martial arts experience. Apparently, the idea was |
| I'd like to inform you of something I've discovered | | | | to give them a crash course on "coaching martial |
| after 25 years in the martial arts... Namely, that I | | | | arts", have them "coach" your students, and then |
| think martial arts consulting is a farce. Now, don't | | | | the black belts would come in to test the |
| get me wrong - I think it's actually advisable that | | | | students for rank and collect the cash. Needless |
| you seek good solid business information from | | | | to say, I never acted on this advice. |
| reliable and proven sources if you're going to start | | | | Moronic Advice Isn't The Only Reason You Don't |
| a martial arts school. And, you should continue to | | | | Need Expensive Martial Arts Consulting... |
| educate yourself and expand your business | | | | Granted, some of the advice you may get from |
| knowledge and acumen for as long as you are | | | | these consulting companies is solid advice - I don't |
| trying to grow your dojo... However, that doesn't | | | | argue that point. As with any service business, |
| mean you need to hire some hotshot "consultant" | | | | you have some bad companies, and some good |
| to show you how it's done. In fact, that can be a | | | | ones. I think that's just common sense. However, |
| huge mistake on your part. Allow me to illustrate | | | | the thing is you don't need to pay $500 an hour |
| with a just a few real-life stories regarding close | | | | for some person 1,000 miles away to tell you |
| calls with that most dangerous of species, | | | | how to run your business. In fact, your best |
| "martialis bidness know notus", a.k.a., the "martial | | | | option is often to simply do your own research, |
| arts business consultant". | | | | and then follow what your research and your gut |
| Exhibit "A" - One of our members at recently | | | | tell you to do. Nobody knows your business and |
| related to us how he hired a big-time martial arts | | | | market like you do. Sure, you need to learn and |
| business consultant for advice on starting a school. | | | | follow industry "best practices" in order to hedge |
| The advice he received? "Finance your school on | | | | your bets in your favor. But, you can get that |
| credit cards, and then come back and talk to me | | | | information from inexpensive, reliable sources for |
| when you can afford my more expensive martial | | | | much, much less than what an expensive |
| arts consulting package." Seriously, that was the | | | | "consultant" will charge you. |
| advice he was given. | | | | That's Where Joining A Professional Association |
| Exhibit "B" - Some friends of mine got hooked up | | | | Comes In... |
| with a martial arts billing company that also | | | | And that's how joining a professional association |
| offered consulting services (it was how they | | | | will help you grow your dojo - by providing you a |
| justified the "vig" of 10% on collecting your own | | | | place where you can get solid, reliable business |
| money for you). They were advised to flat out lie | | | | information, education, training, and resources, and |
| to their customers by telling them their | | | | at a price that won't break the bank. For |
| registration fee was for insurance, even though | | | | example, while many martial arts consultants |
| the only insurance they had was liability that | | | | charge exorbitant fees, membership in The Martial |
| protected the school, not the student. My friends, | | | | Art School Alliance International is just $149 a |
| of course, never actually implemented the advice... | | | | year. Compare that to martial arts consulting |
| Exhibit "C" - Back when I was availing myself of | | | | programs that are in excess of $200 - $1,000 per |
| the services of a similar organization (how do you | | | | month and I think you'll see that with a |
| think I formed my opinions?) I was advised that a | | | | membership in an industry association like |
| good way to find people to teach your classes | | | | M.A.S.A.I. you can't beat the price. But, if you still |
| was to hire high school coaches and personal | | | | decide to do business with "martialis bidness know |
| trainers off the street... even if they had zero | | | | notus"... don't say I didn't warn you. |