This episode is part 3 of the series on the 4 Phases Of Martial Arts Schools. This episode is focusing on the transition to the CEO phase ($83K+ / month). They emphasize the importance of hiring and developing leaders, understanding the challenges of management, and creating a team vision. The conversation also covers the significance of metrics tracking for success and the potential profit centers that can enhance revenue. Throughout the discussion, they highlight the need for continuous improvement and adaptation in the martial arts industry.

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Matthew Brenner interviews Donovan Rider, owner of Charleston Taekwondo, who shares his journey from a competitive martial artist to a successful school owner with multiple locations.

Donovan discusses the challenges and strategies involved in scaling his business, including instructor recruitment, operational management, and real estate considerations.

The conversation provides valuable insights for anyone looking to grow a martial arts school or similar business.

Before joining the Double Your Dojo program, Master Michael Mertens was already at the top of the martial arts industry.

His five Taekwondo schools in Western New York were serving over 1,700 active students, with a proven team, decades of experience, and a reputation as one of the region’s most established operators. But despite that, Michael knew there was more potential, especially with organic marketing.

“We were doing pretty well… but I knew there was still more juice in the lemon,” he said.

Although his schools had tried school and daycare programs before, they never found a consistent, scalable system that worked across all five locations without burning out the staff.

Yes, he got new students from doing school programs, and working with some daycares, but he knew there was more potential.

It’s not about changing everything, it’s about small adjustments. Small hinges swing big doors.

That’s when Michael scheduled a discovery call to learn more about the Triangle Codex.

Together, we helped his team:

✅ Build a fresh “Hit List” of overlooked daycares, afterschool programs, and third-party providers ✅ Simplify his outreach and program setup to avoid exhausting his team ✅ Refine his white belt graduation flow to increase conversions ✅ Train his staff (across all five schools) to enroll students consistently, without relying on leads from ads

The result?

📈 400+ new leads (worth $20,000+ in ad spend value) 📈 61 new students enrolled and counting 📈 $146,000+ in projected new revenue THIS YEAR 📈 26 school programs set up through a single third-party partnership 📈 51 New Strategic Partnerships in the education system.

And they’re just getting started.

If you're tired of hearing “we're doing the best we can with the leads we have,” this is your sign to start giving your team the tools to create their own.

Should you run ads for your school? Yes, but that shouldn’t be your only source of new students. A strong team knows how to go out and recruit new students, even if the pipeline is dry.

This episode is a continuation from the Part 1 episode with the same name.

In this episode, Matthew and Solomon Brenner discuss the journey of scaling martial arts schools, focusing on the transition from the Builder Phase to the Scaler Phase.

Revenue Range: $30K–$50K/month
Focus: Build the machine. Stop being the machine.

• Key Responsibilities:
• • Full-time team roles (head instructor, program director, admin)
  • Dialing in retention and pricing for profitability
  • Weekly team meetings and accountability systems
• Must Master:
• • Staff development
  • Metrics tracking (conversion rates, attrition rates, per-student value)
  • Leading vs. doing

We'll have a follow up episode for...

Level 4: The CEO Phase

Revenue Range: $50K–$83K/month

Stay tuned..

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Matthew Brenner is joined by his brother and Action Karate founder, Solomon Brenner, to reveal the 4 phases every martial arts school owner must go through to scale from $0 to $1M in annual revenue.

Whether you're just starting out or you're already making over $50K/month, you'll walk away with actionable strategies tailored to your school’s growth stage.

From the Hustler Phase ($0–$10K/month) to the CEO Phase ($50K–$83K+/month), they break down the exact skills, systems, and mindset shifts required to grow a 7-figure martial arts business. They share personal stories from their journey scaling Action Karate to over 30 locations and $12M/year, plus what mistakes to avoid and what to focus on at each level of growth.

Perfect for school owners looking to:

• Increase student enrollment without relying on Facebook ads

• Improve retention with better systems and staff development

• Build a leadership team that runs your school when you're not there

• Stop feeling stuck at 100–150 students and finally break through

• Turn a small martial arts school into a million-dollar lifestyle business

If you're serious about growing your school and want to know how top-performing school owners are doing it without gimmicks, listen to this episode.

👉 Subscribe for more episodes on martial arts business coaching, student retention, marketing, team building, and leadership development.

This episode is part 1, part 2 will be released later for $30K+ schools and $50K+ schools.

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Matthew Brenner interviews his brother, Solomon Brenner, the founder of Action Karate. They discuss the impact of the current economic climate on the martial arts industry, the benefits of pop-up locations, and strategies for negotiating leases. Solomon shares insights on build-out costs and the importance of organic marketing in attracting new students. The conversation emphasizes empowering teams to actively recruit and engage with the community to ensure the success of martial arts schools. In this conversation, Matthew and Solomon Brenner discuss strategies for growing martial arts schools, emphasizing the importance of compounding enrollments, embracing rejection, and understanding fixed expenses. They explore the impact of economic changes on business and the necessity of controlling one's own financial situation. The discussion also highlights the value of investing in oneself and the importance of human connections in a technology-driven world.

Matthew Brenner interviews Jewelianna Ramos Ortiz, a martial artist, stunt actor, and aspiring film producer. They discuss Jewels' lifelong journey in martial arts, the challenges faced by female martial artists, and the importance of building a personal brand on social media. Jewels shares her insights on encouraging more women to become martial arts instructors and the value of martial arts in education. The conversation also touches on the transition from competitor to stunt actor and the impact of social media on the martial arts community. In this conversation, Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz shares her journey from a unique martial arts enthusiast to a successful stunt performer and actress. She emphasizes the importance of individuality, the connection between martial arts and stunt work, and the storytelling aspect of stunts. Jewelianna discusses her experiences with high-risk stunts, the challenges of navigating the acting world, and the significance of personal branding versus business branding. She also highlights the necessity of taking action in social media growth and the mindset required to succeed in the entertainment industry.

Follow Jewelianna @karate.jewels

Follow Matthew @blackbeltbrenner1

Matthew Brenner interviews Adam Kovacs, a former martial arts athlete turned entrepreneur, who shares his journey from a young karate practitioner in Hungary to becoming a successful fighter and later the co-creator of Karate Combat. Adam discusses the evolution of karate, the challenges of transitioning to a professional fighter, and the cultural shifts in how karate is perceived today. He also delves into the innovative approach of integrating cryptocurrency into fight promotions, the challenges faced in the industry, and the future of karate in the digital age. In this conversation, Adam S. Kovacs shares his journey through the world of martial arts and event production, discussing the challenges and lessons learned from his experiences with Karate Combat and his new venture, Dirty Boxing Championship. He reflects on the emotional toll of leaving a legacy, the importance of understanding the unique needs of fighters and fight promotions, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives him to create scalable solutions for the fight industry. The discussion also touches on the significance of branding, identity, and the role of ego in personal and professional growth.

Follow Adam @adam_skovacs

Follow Matthew @blackbeltbrenner1