Running a business without knowing how is similar to rolling for the first time with a black belt. You're going to get destroyed!

It might sound like a great idea to buy a martial arts school, but it could turn out to be a big nightmare.

That's exactly what happened to me. I started my own school in 1997, and in 2005, I purchased a Tae Kwon Do school that had 130 students and merged their students into my school. After a few years, there was almost no one left from the school that I purchased! I wish someone knowledgeable about this would have told me the things I'm about to share with you.

#1) The first thing you have to consider is: What is the culture of the school you are thinking about purchasing?

Students in the Tae Kwon Do school I bought earned their black belts in 2.5-4 years. And there were 8 year old black belts. How do you think everyone responded to an average of 10 years or more requirement for a BJJ black belt? Not good. They couldn't get over it.

Even if you are thinking about buying a BJJ academy, is the culture of the school the same as the culture you will have? I recently heard about a BJJ academy that was focused on self-defense, and the BJJ franchise that they belonged to changed their focus to tournament Jiu-Jitsu. They left the franchise. There are definitely different cultures among BJJ schools.

If you are a BJJ teacher, and you are thinking of taking over a BJJ school, you may think that there won't be a problem because it's the same art, but you would be surprised to find out how fussy students are. If the owner was a 160 lb. guy and you are 200 lbs., some students will complain and leave because they liked the little guy game and you have a big guy game. Or vice versa.

Some things to consider:

Read More->