Date: Mon, 04 Apr 2005 12:29:21 -0700 From: the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: The_Dojang digest, Vol 12 #133 - 8 msgs X-Mailer: Mailman v2.0.13.cisto1 MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Errors-To: the_dojang-admin@martialartsresource.net X-BeenThere: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13.cisto1 Precedence: bulk Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Subscribed-Address: kma@martialartsresource.com List-Id: The Internet's premier discussion forum on Korean Martial Arts. 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Copyright 1994-2005: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The Internet's premier discussion forum devoted to Korean Martial Arts. 2000 members. See the Korean Martial Arts (KMA) FAQ and the online search engine for back issues of The_Dojang at http://MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! Today's Topics: 1. RE: Relocation Advice (Jeff Yeagley) 2. Authentic Korean Swords OVERSTOCK (Jared Circle) 3. RE: Relocation Advice (Rick Clark) 4. man vs. woman (Burdick, Dakin Robert) 5. FW: Re: Rank Promotion (Dewitt, Garrett) 6. Re: Master Dewitt's Promotion (Lorne Keatley) 7. Relocating a School (Fred Gommels) 8. Re: FW: Re: Rank Promotion (jakskru) --__--__-- Message: 1 From: "Jeff Yeagley" To: Date: Sun, 3 Apr 2005 22:55:23 -0500 Subject: [The_Dojang] RE: Relocation Advice Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Chris, FWIW, here is some advice from my experience: < I am hoping some of you can help me with my current situation. < < I have been teaching TKD and HKD in the same location for 5 1/2 years, 5 < nights a week and occasionally on Saturdays. During this time I have paid < above average rent for the square footage that I am using (kind of long < story - don't ask), and as a result I have never paid myself 1 cent. In < fact, I have actually dug into my own pocket to pay expenses at times. < < The lease is going to expire in a few months and the landlord is unwilling < to reduce the rent to an amount that is closer to market value. The only < options I have, as I see them, are: < < 1. Stay where I am and continue to pay excessive rent. Discuss a longer lease with the landlord. I have been able to reduce/eliminate some rent increases by negotiating a longer lease period. This guarantees the landlord income from a proven tenant as opposed to the building sitting empty, or having an unknown new tenant. < 2. Move to a larger facility and pay a little more in rent than I am < paying right now (which I can't afford unless I enroll more students as a < result of the move), and pay about $15,000 in relocation and setup costs < (which I don't have). I wouldn't suggest a larger space unless you need it for more students you already have, or new students you plan to have. Given your current situation (another full-time job, martial arts generating little income, etc.) it might not be the best move. If you did, you could work to minimize the startup cost. < 3. Move to a nearby town, which has 1/2 the population as the town I'm in < and pay the same relocation and setup costs. Unless the rent was drastically cheaper, and your current students would make the move with you, this would not seem to make sense to me on any level. < 4. Move across town - into a shopping center - into a storefront literally < adjacent to another martial art school teaching TKD. The rent would be < lower and the relocation and setup costs would be lower (mainly due to the < restrictions on signage). This other school has been there for 2 1/2 years < and their main focus is their After School Program with some evening < classes. My focus is strictly traditional TKD and HKD. This might not be a bad option. Since your programs are very different, you may complement one another rather than compete with one another. In my current location, I am within one mile of two other Tae Kwon Do schools, and have had no problems. One of the schools is within a hundred yards, but has never been a concern. The deciding point again might be will your students travel, and will that area generate any new students? < 5. Find a recreational facility and reduce my teaching schedule and < visibility to the public This could work for you personally, as well as administratively. I had commercial locations for ten to twelve years, then went the Rec Center route for four or five years. While it did eliminate much of the administrative headache (utilities, advertising, etc.), I eventually found that for my program, it was not the best environment for my students' growth. Your program may prosper in such a venue. You would be the best judge of that. I have been in commercial locations again for the last seven years, and will be moving to an even larger location this summer due to size constraints of the current one. I am only moving due to an existing need for more space, and a future plan to enroll more students. < 6. Close completely. < < I have a very loyal group of students that I don't want to abandon. Plus, < a 3 year old little girl that I would love to see grow up in the positive < environment of a traditional dojang. But, 5 1/2 years of teaching full < time along with a full time day job is starting wear me down - especially < since I have not generated any personal income from teaching all these years. The answer here seems clear - this is not the answer! You seem to have a real purpose for teaching, and you do it out of concern for your students rather than as a financial venture. You are the type of instructor that the Martial Arts could use more of. As far as 5 1/2 years working two jobs, I can totally understand being worn down. It took me 20 years of working two jobs, and my previous employer downsizing me out of the organization to get me to a point of teaching Martial Arts full-time today. Is it financially doable? Check back next year and I'll let you know! I am much happier, and fulfilled now though. Don't let yourself get burned out either, though. You may be like me, and many other instructors, who get energized by what we do, even after a long day at work. I'm sure many other, and more experienced instructors will have advice to offer also. I humbly offer mine for what it's worth. Best of luck to you Chris! Sincerely, Jeff Yeagley Academy of Fighting Arts Business Phone: 816-525-5555 Email: jeff.yeagley@wetrainharder.com --__--__-- Message: 2 From: "Jared Circle" To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Mon, 04 Apr 2005 00:03:22 -0400 Subject: [The_Dojang] Authentic Korean Swords OVERSTOCK Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net We currently have an overstock of Soo Soon Hwa (Narcissus Guard Saber) swords. We will be selling them at a discounted price of $950.00 to the first 5 customers to place an order. This is a savings of $500.00. This is a beautiful, high-quality sword, and would be ideal for training, cutting, or display. Visit our website for more information. http://shjmdragon.com/SooSoonHwa.htm J. Circle Authentic Korean Swords --__--__-- Message: 3 Date: Tue, 05 Apr 2005 10:03:28 -0400 From: "Rick Clark" Subject: RE: [The_Dojang] Relocation Advice To: Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. High visibility, high traffic, good access = success I know a guy who opened a school in a small town in a shopping mall next to Kroger (super market) and before he opened the doors for class he had signed up over 200 new students. Can you do the same? Don't know - but I do know it has been done by others in the past. By the way - don't dig into your own pocket to pay unless you have a good business plan that will allow you to make the money back. All of us who have been in the martial arts for an extended period of time have invested a lot of money in the education we have received. It's is only fair that we do not have to pay to teach that which what we have had to pay for in money, blood, sweat, effort . . . . . Rick Clark www.ao-denkou-kai.org > -----Original Message----- > From: Chris [mailto:fate@highstream.net] > Sent: Sunday, April 03, 2005 5:56 PM > To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net > Subject: [The_Dojang] Relocation Advice > > I am hoping some of you can help me with my current situation. > > I have been teaching TKD and HKD in the same location for 5 1/2 years, 5 > nights a week and occasionally on Saturdays. During this time I have paid > above average rent for the square footage that I am using (kind of long > story - don't ask), and as a result I have never paid myself 1 cent. In > fact, I have actually dug into my own pocket to pay expenses at times. > > The lease is going to expire in a few months and the landlord is unwilling > to reduce the rent to an amount that is closer to market value. The only > options I have, as I see them, are: > 1. Stay where I am and continue to pay excessive rent. > 2. Move to a larger facility and pay a little more in rent than I am > paying right now (which I can't afford unless I enroll more students as a > result of the move), and pay about $15,000 in relocation and setup costs > (which I don't have). > 3. Move to a nearby town, which has 1/2 the population as the town I'm in > and pay the same relocation and setup costs. > 4. Move across town - into a shopping center - into a storefront > literally > adjacent to another martial art school teaching TKD. The rent would be > lower and the relocation and setup costs would be lower (mainly due to the > restrictions on signage). This other school has been there for 2 1/2 > years > and their main focus is their After School Program with some evening > classes. My focus is strictly traditional TKD and HKD. > 5. Find a recreational facility and reduce my teaching schedule and > visibility to the public > 6. Close completely. > > I have a very loyal group of students that I don't want to abandon. Plus, > a 3 year old little girl that I would love to see grow up in the positive > environment of a traditional dojang. But, 5 1/2 years of teaching full > time along with a full time day job is starting wear me down - especially > since I have not generated any personal income from teaching all these > years. > > Any help would be deeply appreciated. > > Thank You, > Chris Callahan > http://www.usblackbelts.com/ > _______________________________________________ > The_Dojang mailing list, 2000 members > The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net > Copyright 1994-2005: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource > Standard disclaimers apply > http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang --__--__-- Message: 4 Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2005 09:24:01 -0500 From: "Burdick, Dakin Robert" To: Subject: [The_Dojang] man vs. woman Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Ray included a section from "The Philippine Daily Inquirer" that read in part: "But a contact sport pitting man against woman? You must be kidding. That'd be an automatic mismatch and no one with a sane mind would even dare think of putting up one." That statement bothered me, because I have done just that in the past. One year I ran our tkd friendship tournament without gender categories. Why? Because the female sections always have a very low turnout and one ends up putting huge women against tiny ones. Instead I organized the divisions based on rank, height and weight. What we found was not terribly surprising. Pound for pound, the women were better kickers but less aggressive, and the men had better hand skills and more upper body strength. The tournament itself worked well, there were no complaints and no serious injuries. Your mileage may vary, Dakin dakinburdick@yahoo.com --__--__-- Message: 5 From: "Dewitt, Garrett" To: "'the_dojang@martialartsresource.net'" Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2005 09:35:01 -0500 Subject: [The_Dojang] FW: Re: Rank Promotion Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net > Master Terry > > I was promoted in TKD this past January by Grandmaster, Dr. Eugene A. > Humesky Ph.D. > Anyone who knows Grandmaster Humesky knows that he does a meticulous > background check and an exhausting physical > and cognitive martial arts promotional test. I am humbled to have been > allowed this opportunity to be tested and promoted by a true legend and > pioneer within the martial arts. > > Thank You > Garrett --__--__-- Message: 6 From: "Lorne Keatley" To: Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2005 11:56:50 -0400 Subject: [The_Dojang] Re: Master Dewitt's Promotion Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Master Dewitt, I was very happy to hear of your promotion to 7th Dan. It was well deserved. You have always been hard-working, honest and humble. That is something rare in these days of masters with huge egos craving attention. I am happy for you my friend and accept my wishes for continued success. Lorne Keatley --__--__-- Message: 7 From: "Fred Gommels" To: "DOJANG DIGEST" Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2005 13:18:04 -0500 Subject: [The_Dojang] Relocating a School Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Sun, 03 Apr 2005 17:55:54 -0400 To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net From: Chris Subject: [The_Dojang] Relocation Advice Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net I am hoping some of you can help me with my current situation. I have been teaching TKD and HKD in the same location for 5 1/2 years, 5 nights a week and occasionally on Saturdays. During this time I have paid above average rent for the square footage that I am using (kind of long story - don't ask), and as a result I have never paid myself 1 cent. In fact, I have actually dug into my own pocket to pay expenses at times. The lease is going to expire in a few months and the landlord is unwilling to reduce the rent to an amount that is closer to market value. The only options I have, as I see them, are: 1. Stay where I am 2. Move to a larger facility 3. Move to a nearby town, which has 1/2 the population 4. Move across town - into a shopping center - into a storefront literally adjacent to another martial art school teaching After School Program with some evening classes. My focus is strictly traditional TKD and HKD. 5. Find a recreational facility and reduce my teaching schedule 6. Close completely. I have a very loyal group of students that I don't want to abandon. Plus, a 3 year old little girl that I would love to see grow up in the positive environment of a traditional dojang. But, 5 1/2 years of teaching full time along with a full time day job is starting wear me down - especially since I have not generated any personal income from teaching all these years. Any help would be deeply appreciated. Thank You, Chris Callahan Dear Mr. Chris Callahan: I read your request for assistance in the Dojang Digest. My name is Fred Gommels. I’ve been training in the martial arts since 1973 and have been teaching martial arts as my sole occupation for about the past 15 years in Rochester, MN. I have 2 boys age 17 and 21 (both black belts) and my wife, of 25 years, is a homemaker and my partner in life and business. Our websites are I don’t have any quick and easy answers for you. But I have found that “balance” seems to be the best solution for most dilemmas in life. If you can find the “balance point” in the circumstance you are facing, then you may have found the best solution. Based on the information you shared below, I wonder if numbers 4 or 5 might be viable options. Since you are experiencing some burn out, it might be refreshing to you to start over teaching fewer hours as well as paying less rent and overhead. Have you considered talking with an accountant to see what they feel would be a reasonable amount of rent to pay? Have you put together a simple business plan with your projected income and expenses as well as plans for both external and internal marketing? What ideas does your wife have in all of this? She probably has some very wise advice. Maybe you could teach part time out of: A rec center, YMCA, Public school building, Private school building, An apartment complex rec room, A church, A VFW building, Beneath a bowling ally, In a health club, Your home. I have taught martial arts out of all of the above locations at one time or another. Some locations had to be closed up. Other locations worked out very well and are still going on as part time clubs in local communities under other instructors. This isn’t much advice, but hopefully it will help. I’m sure others will have some effective ideas for you. Feel free to email or call with any questions. Sincerely, Fred Gommels – Martial Art Fitness Centers, Inc. – Rochester, MN EMAIL: fgommels@rconnect.com PHN: 507-281-4335 WEBSITES: www.mafci.com and www.simmudo.com Fredrick J. Gommels Martial Art Fitness Centers, Inc. 2849 S. Broadway Rochester MN 55904 507-281-4335 www.mafci.com www.simmudo.com --__--__-- Message: 8 From: "jakskru" To: Subject: Re: [The_Dojang] FW: Re: Rank Promotion Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2005 15:47:48 -0400 Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Master Dewitt, is this the same GM Humesky in michigan? my current HKD teacher was learning TKD from him until recently ( he was diagnosed with lymphoma recently, and that kind of put his martial arts on hold for a short time---luckily, he seems to be recouperating quite well)---he was supposed to have tested for his next rank----i believe it is his first black belt test...his name is Jerry Davis, 3rd dan HKD---his friend, a Master Wade ( not sure of his last name), 4th or 5th dan HKD just recently was promoted by GM Humesky to either his first BB or first dan TKD about a year ago...anyway, i was curious if you were familiar with either of them? both reside in the cleveland, ohio area... ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dewitt, Garrett" To: Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 10:35 AM Subject: [The_Dojang] FW: Re: Rank Promotion > > Master Terry > > > > I was promoted in TKD this past January by Grandmaster, Dr. Eugene A. > > Humesky Ph.D. --__--__-- _______________________________________________ The_Dojang mailing list The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang http://the-dojang.net Old digest issues @ ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com/pub/the_dojang Copyright 1994-2005: Ray Terry and http://MartialArtsResource.com Standard disclaimers apply. Remember September 11. End of The_Dojang Digest