In this conversation, Zach Forrest emphasizes the critical role of regular check-ins with clients in a gym setting. He discusses the importance of understanding clients' frustrations and excitements, particularly for new members. By fostering open communication and feedback, trainers can adapt their approach to better meet clients' needs and enhance their overall experience. This ongoing dialogue is essential for building strong client relationships and ensuring satisfaction in their training journey.
If you don't have a good member management software to ruin your gym on check out - https://www.pushpress.com/
They have a free tier, they aren't paying me to pitch this, I just believe in the team and the product to the point it's a no brainer to recommend having personally used it in my gym too.
If you are looking to get a little more direction on growing your Jiu Jitsu Gym/Academy head on over to www.growjitsu.com/book and download my free book called 'The unstuck academy' to start seeing growth again in your gym.
In this episode of The Business of Jiu Jitsu Podcast, JP Levesque breaks down the realities of opening a Jiu Jitsu academy in today’s saturated market.
He shares why “just being a good coach” isn’t enough anymore, and why having a marketing budget is no longer optional if you want to grow.
From Meta ads to Google search, JP explains how to think about paid marketing, how to budget for it, and why your dream gym won’t survive if no one knows it exists.
While I did talk about ads the majority of the episode is about the underlying systems you need to have in place BEFORE you consider running paid ads.
This one’s a must-listen if you’re launching an academy or struggling to get new students through the door.
If you own a Jiu Jitsu academy and you want help adding new students, keeping them longer, and building a lasting legacy working with GrowJitsu might be right for you so check out the link below to book a live demo with me.
https://growjitsu.com/request-a-demoAs always, no pressure, no stress, just answers and direction, heres the link to book:
Summary
In this episode of the Business of Jiu-Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque discusses how Jiu-Jitsu academy owners can achieve consistent growth and turn their academies into successful businesses. He emphasizes the importance of understanding key metrics such as student retention, revenue, and profit margins. JP also highlights the need for dedicated CEO time to strategize and plan for the future, encouraging owners to set clear goals and understand their business's potential. The conversation wraps up with actionable steps for academy owners to start seeing growth and improvement in their operations.akeawaysYou need to measure what matters in your business.Understanding churn is crucial for growth.Average client value can be increased through additional offerings.Setting aside CEO time is essential for business improvement.Identify your biggest constraints to growth.Evaluate what has worked and what hasn't in the past.Look at successful academies for inspiration.Define what you want your business to achieve.Your business can be a lifestyle choice or a legacy.Knowing your numbers helps you make informed decisions.
As always if you want some help growing your academy head on over to www.GrowJitsu.com/book to download a free copy of my book 'The Unstuck Academy' so you can start seeing growth in your business today.
In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu, JP Levesque interviews Glenn Powditch, a seasoned jiu jitsu practitioner and gym owner. They discuss the duality of running a gym as a hobby versus a business, the importance of professionalism, and the challenges gym owners face. Glenn shares insights on how to navigate the commercialization of jiu jitsu while maintaining integrity, the significance of tracking leads and marketing effectively, and the role of breath work in enhancing jiu jitsu performance. The conversation emphasizes the need for gym owners to adopt a business mindset to ensure sustainability and success in the competitive landscape of jiu jitsu.
Takeaways
Running a gym can be both a hobby and a business.
Professionalism is key to successful gym management.
Breath work significantly improves jiu jitsu performance.
Tracking leads is essential for gym marketing success.
Maintaining integrity is crucial in the commercialization of jiu jitsu.
Gym owners should not lower their standards for gradings.
Creating a safe training environment reduces injury rates.
Understanding your target market helps in pricing and services.
Building a strong online presence is vital for attracting members.
The jiu jitsu business landscape is evolving, and owners must adapt.
Here is a link to the article on BJJ Fanatic that Glyn mentioned in this episode:
https://bjjfanatics.com/blogs/news/guide-to-opening-a-bjj-gym-hobby-vs-commercial-gym?srsltid=AfmBOor06MU-hykU-pEvxhF3HNWDAigotCsK1XAjsXCRTFez-yLzd3Wd
You can also find Glyn on IG/FB/WEB/BJJ Fanatics, here are some links incase you want to learn more:
SBG Rossendale: https://sbgrossendale.com/
Marketing Agency: https://dreamagility.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/glynpowditch/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/glyn.powditch
BJJ Fanatics: https://bjjfanatics.com/products/breathe-to-win-by-glyn-powditch
If you want some help getting your own BJJ academy getting new students, keeping them long term, and running a profitable business grab my free book here: https://growjitsu.com/book
Are you a black belt on the mats but a white belt in business?
In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque explores the concept of belt levels in business, drawing parallels to the martial art of jiu jitsu. He discusses the challenges faced by business owners at different stages, from the 'white belt' stage of struggling to establish systems, to the 'black belt' stage of mastery and personal definition of success. The conversation emphasizes the importance of awareness, systemization, and growth in achieving business success.
Takeaways
The hardest stage for business owners is the white belt stage.
Awareness is key to moving from a white belt to a blue belt in business.
Systems are crucial for business success and growth.
Purple belt signifies a solid foundation of systems in business.
Brown belt represents refinement and optimization of business operations.
Black belt in business is a personal journey and definition of success.
Transitioning through belt levels can happen quickly with effort.
Financial stability is essential for business owners to thrive.
Building a business you love requires systemization and awareness.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Business Belt Levels
02:36 Understanding the Business White Belt
04:54 Transitioning to Business Blue Belt
08:11 Achieving the Business Purple Belt
12:26 Reaching the Business Brown Belt
15:48 Defining the Business Black Belt
20:31 Recap and Final Thoughts
If you want to learn more about how I help academy owners grow their business without becoming Mc Dojos head on over to www.GrowJitsu.com and book a demo.
PS. There's also a free Ebook I wrote to help academy owners grow their business - https://growjitsu.com/book
In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque dives into various hot takes regarding the operation of BJJ academies. He discusses the value of kids programs, the importance of quality control in scalable businesses, and the necessity of balancing business acumen with jiu jitsu skills. JP also addresses common pitfalls faced by academy owners, the ethics of recruitment during open mats, and the significance of maintaining hygiene standards. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the need for a strong business foundation to ensure the success of a jiu jitsu academy.
Takeaways
Kids programs can be valuable for personal development and fun.
Being good at business is infinitely better than being good at jiu jitsu.
Most gym owners are awful at practically every aspect of running the business.
Teaching good jiu jitsu is not even a top five priority when it comes to running a good business.
Recruitment at Open Mats is slimy and lacks integrity.
Contracts that run your social security number are a massive red flag.
Constant jibber jabbering speeches after class need to stop.
Charging for promotions feels icky and should be avoided.
Hygiene standards in gyms are crucial for student safety.
Quality over quantity is often forgotten in most academies.
Keywords
BJJ, Jiu Jitsu, Academy Owners, Business, Kids Programs, Quality Control, Membership Contracts, Teaching, Ethics, Personal Development
Summary
In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque dives into various hot takes regarding the operation of BJJ academies. He discusses the value of kids programs, the importance of quality control in scalable businesses, and the necessity of balancing business acumen with jiu jitsu skills. JP also addresses common pitfalls faced by academy owners, the ethics of recruitment during open mats, and the significance of maintaining hygiene standards. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the need for a strong business foundation to ensure the success of a jiu jitsu academy.
Takeaways
Kids programs can be valuable for personal development and fun.
Being good at business is infinitely better than being good at jiu jitsu.
Most gym owners are awful at practically every aspect of running the business.
Teaching good jiu jitsu is not even a top five priority when it comes to running a good business.
Recruitment at Open Mats is slimy and lacks integrity.
Contracts that run your social security number are a massive red flag.
Constant jibber jabbering speeches after class need to stop.
Charging for promotions feels icky and should be avoided.
Hygiene standards in gyms are crucial for student safety.
Quality over quantity is often forgotten in most academies.
Titles
The Business of Jiu Jitsu: Hot Takes Unveiled
Navigating Kids Programs in BJJ Academies
Sound bites
"Recruitment at Open Mats is slimy."
"Charging for promotions feels icky."
"Hygiene standards in gyms are crucial."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to BJJ Academy Owner Hot Takes
01:00 The Value of Kids Programs
02:57 Quality Control in Scalable Jiu Jitsu Businesses
07:20 Business Acumen vs. Jiu Jitsu Skill
08:47 Common Pitfalls of Academy Owners
12:32 Prioritizing Teaching Quality in Business
13:56 Recruitment Ethics in Open Mats
15:24 Consultations and Cultural Fit
16:48 Membership Contracts and Consumer Rights
18:37 Classroom Management and Communication
19:06 Ethics in Pricing and Promotions
21:00 Hygiene Standards in Jiu Jitsu Academies
22:25 Personal Development through Kids Programs
23:22 Trial Class Experiences
24:46 Importance of Fundamentals Classes
27:37 Quality Over Quantity in Academies
If you want to learn more about what I do outside of highly caffinated ramblings head on over to www.GrowJitsu.com and check it out. There's also a free Ebook I wrote to help academy owners grow their business.
In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque discusses strategies for Jiu Jitsu academy owners to regain momentum as summer ends. He emphasizes the importance of planning events for revenue generation, student retention, and recruitment. JP outlines effective marketing strategies, including reactivation campaigns and the use of Facebook ads, to attract new students and keep current ones engaged. He stresses the need for a solid lead nurturing process and a great trial experience to ensure success in the competitive landscape of martial arts academies.
Takeaways
Prioritize rebuilding momentum as summer ends.
Plan monthly events for revenue, retention, and recruitment.
Implement a reactivation campaign to bring back former students.
Engage current students with challenges and seminars.
Use marketing strategies that resonate with your audience.
Facebook ads can be effective if set up correctly.
Ensure a great free trial experience for new students.
Lead nurturing is essential for converting interest into sign-ups.
Onboarding processes can reduce quit rates in the first 90 days.
Consistency in marketing efforts leads to long-term success.
If you want to learn more about me or how I help BJJ academies grow, head on over to Growjistu.com for details or to reachout.
Summary
In this episode of the Business of Jujitsu podcast, Devin Needles shares his journey from a Jiu Jitsu practitioner to the owner of Ground Control Academy. He discusses the challenges and successes of running an academy, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, structured curriculums, and effective lead generation strategies.
Devin highlights the significance of creating a welcoming environment for new students and the role of enthusiasm in sales. He provides insights into the onboarding process and the necessity of having a well-thought-out class structure to enhance the student experience and drive growth.
Takeaways
Devin started his academy in a small town to avoid competition.
Low startup costs and minimal expectations were key to initial success.
Professionalism and structured processes are essential for running a successful academy.
Lead generation websites and automation can significantly improve student onboarding.
Enthusiasm for Jiu Jitsu helps in nurturing leads and converting them into students.
Trial classes should be well-structured to ensure a positive experience for newcomers.
A standardized curriculum helps students progress and understand Jiu Jitsu better.
Creating a welcoming culture is crucial for retaining new students.
Academy owners should focus on the student experience to drive growth.
Having a clear sales process and marketing strategy is vital for long-term success.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jiu-Jitsu Journey
05:52 Professionalizing the Academy
12:00 The Importance of Enthusiasm in Sales
17:51 Creating a Seamless Customer Experience
24:27 Overcoming Growth Challenges in Jiu-Jitsu Academies
33:54 Enhancing Student Experience Through Contextual Learning
42:52 Key Strategies for Academy Owners to Foster Growth
Summary
In this episode of the Business of Jujitsu podcast, JP Levesque discusses various hot takes related to gym ownership and the business side of jujitsu. He addresses common complaints from the jujitsu community, such as the importance of transparency in pricing and scheduling, the debate over gi requirements, and the challenges of managing students. Levesque emphasizes the need for gym owners to treat their academies as businesses rather than hobbies, while also exploring the value of kids programs and the role of testing in belt promotions. The conversation is lively and filled with insights for both gym owners and jujitsu practitioners.
Takeaways
Most gyms operate like hobbies rather than businesses.
Transparency in pricing and scheduling is crucial for attracting students.
Gi requirements can be flexible, but cleanliness is important.
Handling difficult students is a necessary skill for gym owners.
Cross-training should be encouraged to improve overall jujitsu skills.
Trial periods should allow enough classes for potential students to decide.
Kids programs can be valuable for personal development and fun.
Testing for belts can help identify skill gaps in students.
Motivational speeches after class can be beneficial if not overdone.
Drop-in policies should prioritize the safety and culture of the gym.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Business Owner Hot Takes
01:27 Running a Gym: Hobby vs. Business
03:54 Transparency in Pricing and Scheduling
06:17 The Importance of Uniforms in Jiu Jitsu
10:34 Managing Student Dynamics
11:32 Cross-Training and Student Retention
12:28 Trial Classes and Their Effectiveness
14:26 Beginner Classes: Expectations vs. Reality
15:41 The Value of Kids Programs
16:38 Belt Testing: Necessity or Nuisance?
18:00 Coaching Philosophy and Class Dynamics
19:46 Drop-In Policies and Gym Culture
In this episode, I sit down with Joshua Janis, owner of White Lotus Jiu Jitsu.
We talk about what it means to build a Jiu Jitsu academy around intention, clarity, and culture. Joshua shares how his background and philosophy have shaped the way he runs his gym and how important it is to create an environment where the right students thrive.
We also dive into the evolution of Jiu Jitsu, how to lead with purpose, and why a clear vision is key, not just for growth, but for staying aligned with why you opened your academy in the first place.
Want to connect with Joshua?
IG: https://www.instagram.com/joshuaj_bjj/
FB (academy): https://www.facebook.com/WhiteLotusJiuJitsu/
BJJ Globetrotters Instructor Profile: https://www.bjjglobetrotters.com/featured-camp-instructor-joshua-janis-bjj-globetrotters/
BJJ Globetrotters Academy Feature: https://www.bjjglobetrotters.com/featured-affiliated-academy-white-lotus-jiu-jitsu-usa/
Website: https://www.gentleartlifestyle.com/whitelotusbjj
Website: https://www.janisconsulting.com/
A quick episode for once, and clearly a click bait title, but worthwhile if you're still stuck trying to grow your BJJ academy and haven't quite cracked the code.
Summary
In this episode of the Business of Jujitsu podcast, JP Levesque discusses the importance of embracing discomfort and cringe in order to achieve personal and professional growth. He shares anecdotes about overcoming societal judgments and emphasizes the necessity of marketing and sales in business. The conversation encourages listeners to take action despite their fears and to focus on their goals, reminding them that success often lies just beyond their comfort zones.
Takeaways
Everything you want is on the other side of discomfort.
People's opinions shouldn't dictate your actions.
Success requires pushing through cringe-worthy moments.
Marketing and sales are essential for business growth.
You are already selling, even if you don't realize it.
Fear of rejection is a common barrier to success.
Integrity in business practices is crucial.
Taking action is more important than seeking approval.
Growth often requires doing things that feel uncomfortable.
Self-doubt is often the biggest obstacle to success.
If you want help growing your BJJ academy, I wrote a free book that walks you through the systems and strategies that actually work. Grab your copy at www.Growjitsu.com/book
In this episode I chatted with Bobby and Amanda McMasters of Open Source BJJ in Ashville NC. They have not only built a place with a good vibe, amazing coaches and team members but they are doing something very unconventional with their Jiu Jitsu academy. They are giving back to their community with a pricing model that allows anyone who wants to train to be able to afford it. Considering most of us agree that the world would be a better place if more people did Jiu Jitsu it's a very exciting idea and I'm stoked to spread the word with this week's episode.
If you're looking to reach out to Bobby & Amanda you can find them here:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/opensourcejiujitsuavl/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/opensourcebjj
WEB: https://www.opensourcebjj.net/
In this solo episode, I rant a little about a bad drop in experience and talk about the main point of this episode which is to embrance change in your business.
I share a quick story about a terrible experience I had at a gym recently. I don't name any names or call anyone out, but I tell the story to make a point about professionalism, first impressions, and what your academy is actually saying to people who walk through the door.
We also get into why your gym is either improving or falling behind. There’s no such thing as staying the same. Just like in Jiu Jitsu, if you’re not constantly tweaking, testing, and improving your systems, you’re going to get passed.
This one is all about taking ownership, being intentional, and remembering that your culture and your standards are either attracting the right people or pushing them away.
Topics covered:
Iteration as a tool for growth
Why professionalism matters more than you think
How your culture shapes your reputation
Embracing failure as part of the process
Creating momentum through small, consistent improvements
Follow me:
IG: @jp_levesque24
Email: JP@growjitsu.com
Are you interested in building up your BJJ business?
The Unstuck Academy is a free guide that shows you how to fix what’s broken, keep more students, and build a business that actually works.
Download it here: www.growjitsu.com/book
In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Shaw of Bellingham BJJ.
Jeff shares how he built a Jiu Jitsu academy that he runs based on his own compass. Which incidentally exploded in popularity within the first few months of opening, creating a wait list. We talk about building a culture that attracts the right people and repels the wrong ones.
But the real gold? Jeff breaks down his onboarding process and world class foundations program. If you want to help new students succeed and actually stick around, don’t miss this part.
Topics we cover:
Running your academy on your own compass
Designing a welcoming environment
Creating win-win memberships for beginners
Building a foundations program that works
If you want to reach out to Jeff you can find him here:
IG: @BELLINGHAMBJJ
Email: Jeff@BELLINGHAMBJJ.com
Web: BELLINGHAMBJJ.COM
Are you interested in building up your BJJ business?
The Unstuck Academy is a free guide that shows you how to fix what’s broken, keep more students, and build a business that actually works.
Download it here: www.growjitsu.com/book
In this solo episode, I kick things off with a simple but important question "What do you actually want out of academy ownership?"
A lot of people jump in for the love of Jiu Jitsu, but if you want your academy to succeed long-term, you’ve got to get real about what you’re building and how you're doing it.
We break it down into three key areas:
Invite: How to get people in the door with simple, consistent marketing (and why paid ads probably aren’t the move at first)
Enroll: Turning trials into members with a clear offer and a solid sign-up process
Retain: Onboarding the right way and keeping members around for the long haul
If you get these right, growth becomes a lot less mysterious and a lot more repeatable.
Heres a link to my socials:
Instagram – @jp_levesque24Email – JP@growjitsu.comWebsite – www.Growjitsu.comWant help building these systems? Grab my free book at www.Growjitsu.com/book
In this episode, I sit down with Robert Biernacki from Island Top Team! You may know Rob from his work with Stephan Kesting and he's got a great perspective to share on academy ownership and Jiu Jitsu in general.
We get into:
Finding a balanace when coaching students who are training for fun that helps them improve but not feel picked on
How to stay passionate about teaching when your room isn’t full of competitors
Finding other ways to fill your cup as a coach
Other avenues of business to create a living from teaching Jiu Jitsu
I enjoyed chatting with Rob, my only regret in the episode is not having enough time to get into the endless rabit holes Jiu Jitsu conversations can take.
Check him out here:
📍 Island Top Team – Nanaimo, BC: https://islandtopteam.com📸 Instagram: @islandtopteam🧠 BJJ Concepts Online: https://bjjconcepts.net
In this episode, I go over the core framework every academy needs to grow: Invite, Enroll, Deliver, Retain, Grow
If you’re not putting time into these five buckets, your business is probably stuck.
I also talk about the actual time commitment it takes to see progress. While putting in MORE hours would be great the truth is, you just need to carve out SOME hours to work on the business side if you actually want to grow. I give various numbers during the episode but the one I keep coming back to is 4 hours per week to work ON your business is essential.
I walk through what each piece looks like and how to start building systems instead of putting out fires every week.
If you want help with this, grab a free copy of my book at www.Growjitsu.com/book
Jesse and I covered a lot of topics on todays show but here are some major topics and points of interest.
It was great having Jesse on the show as he is a wealth of knowledge and runs a top notch facility. If you want to learn more about Jesse check out the links below:
Web: https://roughhandsbjj.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/roughhandsbjj/
Free BJJ Mental Models course access for our listeners: https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com/offers/yLg5LJyT/checkout?coupon_code=RHRBJJ
Hear me out here, I'm not here to poke the bear. What I am here to do is highlight that your BJJ academy has two totally separate sides. There is the fun side of "teaching, training, coaching side" which is why most people open gyms to begin with.
Then you have the other side of the business which is the "a bunch of shit I don't want to do like marketing, sales, creating SOPS, event promotion etc".
In this episode I do bounce around a bit because truthfully there is so much to talk about within this subject but it boils down to this. If most academy owners get skilled enough on the business side to be a "blue belt" in business, they'll be fine.
If you are looking for some help to level up your academy head on over to www.Growjitsu.com/demo to book a demo and see how you can get a website, automations and systems that make your business run as smoothly as your Jiu Jitsu.
This is an expansion on the onboarding episode from two weeks ago and through all my caffinated ramblings really asks one question of the BJJ Academy owner...
What could you be doing for your students to keep them on the path to success?
Easier said than done like most things. But these processes and systems start with the idea, then an outline and they become real with one single action.
You don't need a perfect system day one, just the drive to help students improve or get the most out of their time with you and build up a system to keep them on track over time.
If you want to take a deeper look into these systems and how to improve them in your BJJ business head over to www.Growjitsu.com/book to download a free copy of my book - The Unstuck Academy.