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Personally, I’m fed up with people who cry “McDojo” the moment someone opens a gym that attracts many children and families. Frankly, if the term “McDojo” is a reference to a successful school, then I want a McDojo.
The same people who are crying “McDojo” wouldn’t hesitate to trade places and earn more money. Yet, because they’re not market-savvy enough, they want to rain down on someone’s hard work. They don’t know what goes on behind the scenes, all the systems that were developed over the years, the money that was invested, the hours training and rehearsing private lessons, developing a marketing plan, etc… The things it takes to run a successful martial arts school.
For all you shouters of “McDojo,“ we call this the “higher purpose” argument. And truthfully, it has no place in the martial arts industry. If your purpose is to make friends and you don’t care about money, then you’re in the wrong business, because your business will fail if you don’t teach for money. Get this through your noggin: The reason you risk your family’s livelihood, lawsuits, bankruptcy, and other potential disasters is not to instill confidence in someone you hardly know. The reason is to create a profitable business that can thrive on its own and allow you to do what you enjoy; teach martial arts. When you understand this, you’ll go far.
Still not convinced? The last time I checked, the martial arts industry represented a huge market in the sports & recreation industry, yet school owners struggled to make ends meet. This is because many school owners then and today still see little value in what they do. They’re afraid and unwilling to grow this market. They’d rather dwell in their own mysticism and collect $40 a month from the 7 students that attend once in a while. In fact, not long ago I called several schools to see what they were charging and the prices were exactly the same as when I was a kid. These schools were charging the exact same prices that I was paying 20 years ago! What does that say about this industry?
Let me tell you that if you believe in what you do, then charge for it. But you must be good at what you do… In fact, be the best at what you do, then you won’t feel guilty and you can deliver what you promise.
Yes, I’m aware that bad schools exist. But they don’t last long. After all, if they’re “bad” sooner or later, people will catch on… You did. Heck, I was at a bad BJJ school. The instructor tried to milk me for every penny I was worth. Ironically, he wasn’t bad at Bjj or teaching at all, he just had a bad way of going after money. That’s why I’m more willing to bet that there are schools that know how to run a business and schools that don’t. And in between there are a few “bad” schools where the instructor is a fake.
In conclusion, there are no McDojos, it’s just the difference between business owners and people who don’t know how to do business.
The same people who are crying “McDojo” wouldn’t hesitate to trade places and earn more money. Yet, because they’re not market-savvy enough, they want to rain down on someone’s hard work. They don’t know what goes on behind the scenes, all the systems that were developed over the years, the money that was invested, the hours training and rehearsing private lessons, developing a marketing plan, etc… The things it takes to run a successful martial arts school.
For all you shouters of “McDojo,“ we call this the “higher purpose” argument. And truthfully, it has no place in the martial arts industry. If your purpose is to make friends and you don’t care about money, then you’re in the wrong business, because your business will fail if you don’t teach for money. Get this through your noggin: The reason you risk your family’s livelihood, lawsuits, bankruptcy, and other potential disasters is not to instill confidence in someone you hardly know. The reason is to create a profitable business that can thrive on its own and allow you to do what you enjoy; teach martial arts. When you understand this, you’ll go far.
Still not convinced? The last time I checked, the martial arts industry represented a huge market in the sports & recreation industry, yet school owners struggled to make ends meet. This is because many school owners then and today still see little value in what they do. They’re afraid and unwilling to grow this market. They’d rather dwell in their own mysticism and collect $40 a month from the 7 students that attend once in a while. In fact, not long ago I called several schools to see what they were charging and the prices were exactly the same as when I was a kid. These schools were charging the exact same prices that I was paying 20 years ago! What does that say about this industry?
Let me tell you that if you believe in what you do, then charge for it. But you must be good at what you do… In fact, be the best at what you do, then you won’t feel guilty and you can deliver what you promise.
Yes, I’m aware that bad schools exist. But they don’t last long. After all, if they’re “bad” sooner or later, people will catch on… You did. Heck, I was at a bad BJJ school. The instructor tried to milk me for every penny I was worth. Ironically, he wasn’t bad at Bjj or teaching at all, he just had a bad way of going after money. That’s why I’m more willing to bet that there are schools that know how to run a business and schools that don’t. And in between there are a few “bad” schools where the instructor is a fake.
In conclusion, there are no McDojos, it’s just the difference between business owners and people who don’t know how to do business.
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