by Allie Alberigo & Duane Brumitt
Taking Your Martial Arts Business To The Next Level!
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/14/2015
Email Addresses
0 available
Phone Numbers
0 available
April 16, 2025
In this episode of School Owner Talk, Duane Brumitt and Allie Alberigo deliver a highly practical and motivating conversation around one of the most underused growth strategies in martial arts school ownership: community engagement.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> From partnering with local schools and daycares to maximizing field trips, fundraisers, birthday parties, and even Facebook groups — Duane and Allie share how school owners can create visibility, trust, and new student leads by becoming a community asset, not just a business.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> They discuss:<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Real-life examples of events that worked (and ones that didn’t)<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Tools like Notion and Dropbox for event journaling<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> How to turn donation requests into marketing opportunities<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Delegating outreach without spending a fortune<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> If you’re feeling like leads have slowed down or that your school is being overlooked — this episode is your blueprint for turning local relationships into a lead machine.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Key Takeaways from This Episode<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 1. Local visibility must be intentional.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Just because your school has been around for years doesn’t mean your community knows who you are. Visibility requires proactive effort and consistent outreach.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 2. Events are opportunities — before, during, and after.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Every event can become a marketing asset. From how you promote it, to how you follow up, to how you document it for future use — don’t leave opportunities on the table.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 3. Use an event journal.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Creating a repeatable system (physical or digital) helps you track what worked, what didn’t, and what to improve for the next time. This reduces stress and increases success.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 4. Hire or delegate outreach.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> You don’t need to do it all. Identify someone who enjoys talking to people and give them the responsibility of reaching out to local businesses, churches, and organizations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 5. Donation requests are lead generators.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Set up a donation request page on your website. Include a form with questions like, “Is this an annual event?” so you can follow up next year. Use the opportunity to get your name in front of more people.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Action Steps for School Owners<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 1. Identify five local organizations to contact.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Start with the obvious ones: schools, daycares, libraries, camps, or churches. Reach out with a genuine offer to serve or support.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 2. Create a donation/fundraiser webpage.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Make it easy for people to request support from your school. Offer things like free trials, birthday parties, or self-defense classes as donations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 3. Build your event journal system.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Whether in a binder or inside Notion, start logging your events, what you did to prepare, how you followed up, and what could be improved.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 4. Delegate the outreach.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Hire a part-time person, offer a commission, or ask a trusted parent volunteer to be your “community connection.” Give them a script and a goal.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 5. Start small but start now.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Pick one local event happening in the next 30 days and commit to being part of it — even if it’s just donating a raffle prize or setting up a booth.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Final Thoughts<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Community involvement is not just a nice idea — it’s a powerful, long-term marketing strategy. By becoming a trusted presence in your area, you not only attract students,
April 3, 2025
Episode Overview<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> In this honest and heartfelt episode of School Owner Talk, Duane and Allie open up about something all martial arts school owners experience—but often don’t talk about: burnout. From feeling exhausted and frustrated to questioning motivation and drive, they dive into what it means to hit a wall and how to keep leading when energy is low and emotions run high. If you’ve ever felt like tapping out, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone—and that there’s a path forward.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Key Takeaways from the Episode<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> • Burnout is real—and common. Even passionate school owners feel mentally and emotionally spent.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> • You don’t have to be 100% to still make a difference. Sometimes just showing up is enough.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> • Setting boundaries is essential. Whether it’s around your time, energy, or availability, you need to protect your peace.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> • Comparison is dangerous. Judging yourself based on others—especially on social media—can drain motivation and cause self-doubt.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> • Delegate and offload. Hand off what you can, especially tasks that drain you the most.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> • Mental maintenance matters. Whether it’s a walk, time with family, or a favorite TV show, scheduled downtime helps you recharge.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> • Reignite your why. Your purpose can evolve, and reflecting on it can help restore energy and passion.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Action Steps for School Owners<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 1. Revisit and redefine your “why.” What drives you now may be different from what drove you five years ago.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 2. Create a reignite list. Write down small wins or tasks that help build positive momentum.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 3. Pick one task to delegate this week. Offload something that drains you.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 4. Schedule your mental maintenance. Block time in your calendar to rest, unplug, and recharge.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 5. Connect with others. Reach out to fellow school owners for support or even start a monthly meetup to talk shop—and life.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Final Thoughts<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Being tired doesn’t make you weak. Being frustrated doesn’t mean you’re failing. And losing motivation doesn’t mean you’ve lost your purpose. It means you’re human. And just like any black belt will tell you—progress often comes through perseverance. You’ve got this, and we’re right there with you.
March 21, 2025
Episode Overview<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> In this value-packed episode of School Owner Talk, Duane Brumitt and Allie Alberigo explore the most common mistakes martial arts school owners make—often without realizing it—and how to correct them. From retention and pricing issues to burnout and outdated marketing, this conversation is focused on helping school owners take back control of their business and reignite their passion.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Whether you are new to school ownership or have been in the game for decades, the strategies and insights shared in this episode are designed to help you work smarter, serve your students better, and build a stronger business.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Key Takeaways from the Episode<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Retention is more important than recruitment. If your school is constantly losing students, bringing in new ones will only mask the problem temporarily.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Emotional connection is a major retention driver. When students and parents feel personally connected to your program and instructors, they are far more likely to stay.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Many school owners underprice their programs out of fear or comparison. When you communicate your value clearly, you can charge what you’re worth with confidence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Relying on outdated marketing strategies like print or radio can waste time and money. A properly optimized online funnel, paired with current digital strategies, will generate better results.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Burnout is real. Trying to do everything yourself will eventually lead to physical and emotional exhaustion. Delegation, scheduling, and boundaries are essential.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> A lack of systems and structure in your week creates inefficiency and stress. Building a routine that includes marketing, content creation, team meetings, and self-care is key to long-term success.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Many school owners are not planning for retirement. Treat your business like a true business—save, invest, and build something that serves you in the future.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Final Thoughts<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Running a martial arts school is one of the most rewarding professions out there—but only when it’s done with clarity, purpose, and strategy. Too many school owners are trapped in reactive cycles, trying to fix problems as they come instead of creating systems to prevent them.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> This episode is a reminder that you have more control than you think. With the right mindset and action steps, you can build a school that not only changes lives—but gives you the freedom and lifestyle you deserve.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Action Steps for School Owners<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Audit your retention numbers and identify where drop-off occurs most frequently.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Review your pricing. Are you truly charging what your value is worth?<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Update or optimize your digital marketing funnel. Make sure it’s aligned with today’s best practices.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Block off time for self-care, strategic planning, and creative thinking each week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Document and delegate tasks so you’re not carrying the full weight of the business on your shoulders.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Begin mapping out a retirement or exit plan now. Waiting too long to start will only create pressure later.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> If this episode helped you, consider sharing it with another school owner and leaving a review. Your support helps us continue creating meaningful content for martial arts school owners worldwide.
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