Send us a text Want a tournament that builds leaders, delights parents, and actually runs on time? We sit down with Master Jay Lee—tournament director for the U.S. Open Taekwondo Hamadang and CEO of U.S. Taekwondo Center—to show how school owners can turn competition into a retention engine and a reliable revenue stream without sacrificing safety or sanity. We break down why starting in-house protects your culture and quality, then map a clear path to scaling. You’ll hear how Hamadang-style ...

Send us a text From Zero to 120: How a Young Martial Artist Built a Thriving Taekwondo School In this episode of Black Belt Banter, hosts Jimmy Hong and Master Tony Chung converse with Master Liam Guttmacher, a 24-year-old martial artist who rapidly grew his Taekwondo school to 120 students in under a year. Liam discusses his journey, starting from his early karate days to his focus on acrobatic Taekwondo and high-level gymnastics, and the creation of a strong online presence with over 1 mil...

Send us a text Our most important Podcast yet... In this week's episode of Black Belt Banter, hosts Master Jimmy Hong and Master Chan dive into the critical risks facing martial arts school owners and the importance of specialized insurance coverage. They're joined by Mrs. Beth Block from Block Insurance, who brings over 30 years of expertise in protecting martial arts schools, childcare centers, and private and charter schools. The episode covers the essential policies to keep children safe...

Send us a text 🗓️ Mark your calendars for October 3–4, 2025—because the ASA Martial Arts Summit is throwing down in Las Vegas at the iconic Paris Hotel & Casino, and you don’t want to miss it. Only a few weeks left to lock in the $399 early access rate—offer ends August 15th. ✅ Register now at theBlackBeltBanter.com What would a parent pay for their child to become more confident, disciplined, and positioned for lifetime success? According to Master Chan, a hundred thousand dollars ...

Send us a text Ever wondered how some martial arts schools command $400+ monthly tuition while others struggle to break $150? Master Bronson Ko has cracked the code, building what he calls "the Apple of martial arts studios" – premium facilities with prices to match and waiting lists of eager families. Perhaps most compelling is Master Ko's insight that higher prices create deeper commitment. "When you pay more for something, you actually become more committed to it," he notes. Parents who i...

Send us a text Economic uncertainty looms large for martial arts school owners, but surviving—even thriving—during downturns is possible with the right approach. Master Lee shares battle-tested strategies that have helped him navigate three major economic crises since 2001. At the heart of recession-proofing your martial arts business is delivering exceptional value that makes your service indispensable. When families scrutinize their budgets, you must ensure they see your training as essent...

Send us a text 🗓️ Mark your calendars for October 3–4, 2025—because the ASA Martial Arts Summit is throwing down in Las Vegas at the iconic Paris Hotel & Casino, and you don’t want to miss it. Only a few weeks left to lock in the $399 early access rate—offer ends August 15th. ✅ Register now at theBlackBeltBanter.com Preventing instructor burnout might be the most critical challenge you face as a martial arts school owner. How do you build a staff culture that's sustainable while del...

Send us a text ✅ Register now at https://theblackbeltbanter.com/ 🗓️ Mark your calendars for October 3–4, 2025—because the ASA Martial Arts Summit is throwing down in Las Vegas at the iconic Paris Hotel & Casino, and you don’t want to miss it. This is the business event for martial arts entrepreneurs ready to evolve, scale, and sharpen their competitive edge. 🔥 It’s a full-throttle experience designed for passionate martial arts professionals who refuse to settle. Only a few weeks left t...

Send us a text What separates thriving martial arts schools from struggling ones? Master Lee draws from his family's 50-year legacy to reveal the powerful role culture plays in creating an exceptional martial arts business. Ever wonder why some martial arts schools consistently grow while others plateau? The secret lies not in marketing tactics or fancy facilities, but in something far more fundamental: culture. Master Chan demonstrates how creating the right environment transforms everythin...

Send us a text There's a crisis affecting martial arts schools nationwide, but it's not what you might think. The pandemic tested our industry's resilience—we taught through Zoom, improvised training equipment, and found ways to survive against impossible odds. Yet now, with that immediate threat behind us, many schools face a deeper challenge: finding purpose beyond mere survival. This episode delivers a passionate wake-up call for school owners and instructors in this thought-provoking epi...

Send us a text Should you open a second martial arts school location? This question haunts ambitious school owners looking to expand their impact and income. The path to successful expansion requires meeting several critical conditions. Your first location must be truly thriving, not just surviving. Your staffing structure needs depth beyond just one or two good instructors – you need "bench strength," a pipeline of talent ready to step up without compromising your flagship locat...

Send us a text "Too much month, not enough money?" This might be the reality for many small martial arts school owners, but Master Tony Chung proves it doesn't have to be. In this eye-opening conversation, Tony shares how he generates over $2 million annually with multiple locations that are all under 2,000 square feet - a stark contrast to the 7,000-12,000 square foot "mega-schools" often showcased as the industry standard. With average class sizes of only 8-10 students and a curriculum des...

Send us a text The secret lies in creating a paradigm shift in how families perceive martial arts training. Rather than allowing parents to view classes as "just another activity" alongside soccer or baseball, Master Lee positions the black belt journey as an essential component of childhood development—akin to education itself. This philosophical foundation changes everything about how students approach their training. The proof is in the results: an astounding 30% of Master Lee's student b...

Send us a text Want to rapidly grow your martial arts school? This episode delivers a masterclass in strategic enrollment growth from someone who's done it consistently across multiple locations. Master Lee breaks down his exact formula for enrolling 20 new students in just 30 days—a system built on proactive marketing rather than passively waiting for inquiries. The mathematical breakdown is refreshingly straightforward: you need 120 leads to book 60 appointments to conduct 40 intros to enr...

Send us a text Master Lee, with over 2,100 active students across multiple locations, shares the mathematical formula behind martial arts school growth in this data-driven episode of Black Belt Banter. By reverse-engineering your student acquisition goals, you can precisely calculate how many leads and trials you need to achieve sustainable growth. Every marketing activity yields different quality leads - website inquiries convert at 90%, while social media leads might only convert at 5-10%....

Send us a text Break Through the 100-Student Mark and Watch Your School Thrive! In this inaugural episode, we’re revealing the key strategies and mindset shifts needed to push your martial arts school past the important 100-student milestone. Discover the best ways to attract students and create a dynamic training environment that keeps everyone engaged. We’ll cover everything from marketing hacks to enrollments, giving you the tools to build a thriving community. If you’re...