JiuJitsu career-wise...

[Nate Musick]

Hey 10th Planet!

I'm posting this thread hoping I can get some serious responses from Eddie and Chris H. hopefully, but anyone with ideas is certainly welcome to post.

I've been in the hard martial arts game now for about 3 years, practicing 10th Planet JJ, Brazilian JJ, muay Thai and wrestling. It's been such a good thing for me and I've thought about capitalizing on this and making it a career. Does anyone know of anything that can be done to get your foot in the door in a martial arts business? I've asked my instructor about cleaning the gym, instructing classes...I'm just looking for something to wrack my brain with.

Thanks guys

[MichaelCarrillo3]

Funny someone should ask this.

A coach at my school suggested I should start teaching a morning class. I've been wanting to teach since I started learning.

As far as a career. It probably helps to be some sort of multiple gold medalist, invent some techniques or be related to jiu jitsu royalty. At least study under someone highly-esteemed.

Once an intelligent person is familiar with your skill, temperament and teaching style, they'll decide whether to study with you based on that. But getting students into the door is probably a lot about marketing. That's where the previous attributes I mentioned will probably help.

You've been training longer than me by about a year. You might not have control over all the things that can benefit you but surely you can control some. Start teaching a kids class/morning class where you train now. Try to get a certification through a bigger school. Teach private classes in peoples homes. Build up your resume slowly so you can slowly command more numbers.

Keep us updated. I'm sure others also want to know about this.

[Jesse Bell]

I have been looking for the same answers. This is my ultimate dream. I love to teach. Unlike you I'm still a baby in this system. Hopefully with the hard work I will continue to put in I will get an opportunity to teach one day.

[Stephan Pepin]

I aswell would love to teach someday. That is the ultimate goal!

[Jesse Bell]

Hey Stephan, If you ever come through Montreal, stop by and roll with us.

[Nate Musick]

Everyone has good ideas so far. Does anyone know anything about getting a certification through a bigger school like MC3 mentioned? I'd like for this thread not to kick soon so everyone get some input in

[Jon Helton]

I got a good bit to say on this, but I don't feel like typing that much on my phone. I'll try to chime in tonight. :)

[MichaelCarrillo3]

*it rises from the ashes

Gracie Academy has a new Instructor Certification Program. It's pricey but seems valuable. http://www.gracieacademy.com/instructor_certification.asp

[Chris Leavelle]

Morning classes is a good way to get a few more people in the gym and would be a great place for you to start

[Chris Herzog]

The reality is...........its very difficult. Its taken me over 25 years to get where I am now. I just started teaching full time 1.5 years ago and I still struggle and make less than I did when I was a case manager in the human services field (and I made shit then). However I couldn't be happier, and love every minute of my day now. Be persistent, refuse to give up, and prepare to work your ass off, and take care of your mind and body. Public speaking and coaching courses are a must, also some phys ed, person training classes would benefit as well. I've meet some great competitors that had great skill but couldn't teach their way out of a paper bag, they knew what THEY needed to do to make techniques work, but they couldn't articulate at all and their students suffered because of it.

Study all styles of grappling. My guys usually have a significant edge because of the various grappling arts I integrate into what I teach. Kids classes are huge, my morning and noon class are hit and miss depending on the time of year (obviously weather for us). Very important to remember as a teacher/coach, the average student where you teach will not be a competitor/mma fighter, gear your programs accordingly, or you can push students away.

[Jon Watkins]

If you want to make a career at it, I'd say do what Rener Gracie does cause he seems (to me) to be the best in the U.S. at selling Jiu Jitsu. Look at his confidence, his enthusiasm, his constant desire to get the word out about Jiu Jitsu, his all around positive attitude, the products related to Jiu Jiu Jitsu he sells both on his website and at his Headquarters. Look at how professional and happy he presents himself. Look at how he says welcome to the family when you say I'm new to Jiu Jitsu. He's about as charismatic as a cult leader, but he doesn't sweat hatred like Charlie Manson. He appears as light personified when you look at him with non judging eyes. Sure he does have a foot in the door with his Grandpa being Helio Gracie and all, but I bet he could make it work if his name was Rener Gon Tarres and his uncle was Hitler because his people skills are so strong.

[AndyK5]

You have 3 paths you can choose.
1) Be extremely successful with your personal goals, become a champion, beat other champions, get mentioned as a good trainer/game plan person in MMA casts, become famous, show up on radio shows and tv, use the advertisement money you get to open a gym.
2) Somehow get a lot of money and open a really nice gym, I mean very nice, clean everything, showers, ring, mats, get good instructors, solid black belts, maybe some mid level fighters who make showings in StrikeForce, TUF etc....
3)Tough it out. Put in lots of time, start with by selling memberships and washing towels in the back while you work on your own skills and teaching the occasional free class Saturday mornings and go from there.

[AndyK5]

1 and 2 could be combined in to one path, but technically you need almost nothing except the knowledge to teach and money for the second one. First one is more like Eddie style.

[leach_jeffrey]

If you enjoy marital arts and want to teach, good for you.

If you want to open a business whether it is a martial arts school or a bakery, you'd better make sure you know how to run a business. Go to college and get a business degree, during those 4 to 5 years, continue to develop your martial arts, then try to make a go of it.

Without the business knowledge, it won't matter how good you get at martial arts.

Just about every town in America has at least one martial arts school. Some are bullshido, but do well and stay in business for a long time. Some have excellent talent but fail anyway.

[Jay Chow]

People are saying that you need gold medals in various competitions to be considered a good teacher? What about John Danaher?

[Xsimon]

If you enjoy marital arts and want to teach, good for you.

If you want to open a business whether it is a martial arts school or a bakery, you'd better make sure you know how to run a business. Go to college and get a business degree, during those 4 to 5 years, continue to develop your martial arts, then try to make a go of it.

Without the business knowledge, it won't matter how good you get at martial arts.

Just about every town in America has at least one martial arts school. Some are bullshido, but do well and stay in business for a long time. Some have excellent talent but fail anyway.
Summary: Wall of text that isn't really about anything... mostly rambling and killing time before class.. with an even more random hypothetical time line on how it would happen in my head for an average joe.

key point that actually matters in all this. Like coach herzog said.. its hard and you're going to have to want it bad enough. You're going to have to work long and hard for it.

the rest can be ignored

I agree with this but it isn't necessarily required.. More along the lines of Coach Herzog in my opinion. You have to want it and be prepared to work long and hard for it.(don't really want to preach to the choir but this is my "experience") We have a family business back in Texas that my parents started 25-30 years ago and people cheated them and they didn't make any money because they were so deep in the hole for years. They drove a 200 dollar car that literally had a hole in the floor like the flintstones. But my dad would work 16-20 hours a day by himself(only for a couple years) while my mom taught etc..(had to support newborns lol) while helping at the shop when she was off.. me and my sister "helped" when we got older. And slowly things improved.. to where they are today.

Basically our family business is obviously not a bbj school but they're all the same in the end. If you want it bad enough and you're ready to work hard for it then you're get there. Having absolutely zero experience on how to run a school.. I can imagine it would go something like this.(million different scenarios.. I'm bored waiting for class so I thought i'd think one up)

You start teaching some morning classes or what not.. getting the hang of teaching while you work a side job saving money etc.. once you're comfortable teaching you start shopping for a loan being prepared to get pretty shafted for the next few years. Find a place.. fix it up yourself then start convincing your friends to come charging them barely anything and network through them to find a decent customer base.(all this while working another job) Maybe going to a local school or college etc.. to spread the word. Decide what route you're going to take.. pitch it with more of a fitness aspect with a competitive aspect for those who want it or pitch it as a school solely about competing etc..(Based on my limited experience though the nature of the sport kind of dictates a casual/competitive aspect which is why i think you see more of the first mix.. not saying thats bad in any way) (honestly I think the customer base is pretty equal.. and the people joining a school that is solely about competing may come more because it resembles "practice" for other sports in high school/college.. you wouldn't dare miss one of those because you'd be running suicides until you puke etc..) Work on your skills improving them slowly.. competing so you have some "credentials" to market etc.. Then rinse and repeat for several years making ends meet.

I don't think there is a set method to starting any business.. you just have to want it bad enough. If you want this you'll figure out a way to make it work. The way someone else did it won't be the same way you do it.

[Jason Hyatt]

People are saying that you need gold medals in various competitions to be considered a good teacher? What about John Danaher?

Agreed. While subject matter expertise is important to good teaching, expertise alone does not guarantee quality instruction. Teaching is its own discipline with its own techniques, methods, research, and problems.

[Aaron Wood]

Do you need gold medals to be a successful coach? No. How many gold medals has Béla Károlyi won as a competitor? There are ways of showing techniques without being the best technician.
As far as running a Martial Arts School is concerned, having a business degree would help a lot. I run the largest martial arts school in az and there is a lot more to it than just teaching class. The first thing you need to worry about is space. Are you going to get a building of your own or sublease space from someone else? You have to get people in the door in the first place and if you don't have a ton of marketing dollars that means you have to spend a lot of time doing person to person viping or you need to hire a marketing person to do it for you. Once you start to get students, you have to either get set up with a third party biller or try to keep track of when everyone is supposed to pay you and how much(I suggest the third party biller). Then you have to spend countless hours out of each day talking to students and parents and listening to them complain......
I know it sounds like I am trying to discourage you, but I'm not, I just want to help a fellow 10th planet brother. In my opinion teaching is very important, but having good business sense will take you much farther.

[Neale Hoerle]

I'll mirror what Chris says 110%. Parallel to him I have been in this game for 18 years now and only just went off the grid (Full-Time Jits Coach) 6 months ago. Its the toughest thing I've ever loved to do. I'll never go back but it IS hard... Advertising, word of mouth,Comp record, reputation and years in the game... It all matters. Least of all, in my opinion is the necessity to have Gold medals on the wall. Like Chris said I know ADCC competitors that are not very good at Teaching. I came from a Management/Sales background and have degrees in History and Interpersonal and Organizational Communications... Public speaking, conyeving knowledge to others and managing people are my specialities. I HAVE gold medals, but being able to deal with people is sooo much more valuable. Lastly I'll state that if your love of the game is your motivation you'll do well ;) If your chasing money, however... Thats another subject :/ If your are chasing your passion, all the money you NEED will come to you. If your chasing money through your passion you may just find yourself poor and greatly disappointed. I am not a rich man... But my spirit is wealthy beyond my dreams because I do what I love every day! Food for thought.

Be honorable in all your endevours... Others will notice
KILL

[Brian Bradway]

I have been involved in the martial arts for the past 13 years and see people all the time who remind me that I am still a beginner. Give yourself plenty of time to train. I have seen so many people start a school and then run out of training time for themselves, because of all the added responsibility of running a business. When you start your own place especially at first, when you are the main instructor you can easily lose time to get out and do some learning yourself.

I agree with Chris that people can be great competitors and terrible instructors. I trained in traditional karate for about 12 years and my main instructor was disabled and unable to do most of the techniques himself. However he was able to teach and explain every detail unlike any instructor I have ever seen. I guess my biggest advice is to take your time, learn from your mentors experiences, train hard and it will come. Perhaps start a training group one day a week with some friends, get them motivated and they will naturally spread the word. Good Luck!

[Sarah-Jane & Del Christie]

Hi my coach is in the process of opening a new facility so if you wanna know anything I can ask him for you......

[AJ Camacho]

What is your ambition? Do you want to coach or do you want to own an MMA Gym? The two are not the same thing and you don't have to have both. Look at Eddie for example, he's a hired gun for Legends Gym and he doesn't have to worry about scheduling or paying the bills.