In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque dives into various hot takes regarding the operation of BJJ academies. He discusses the value of kids programs, the importance of quality control in scalable businesses, and the necessity of balancing business acumen with jiu jitsu skills. JP also addresses common pitfalls faced by academy owners, the ethics of recruitment during open mats, and the significance of maintaining hygiene standards. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the need for a strong business foundation to ensure the success of a jiu jitsu academy.

Takeaways

Kids programs can be valuable for personal development and fun.

Being good at business is infinitely better than being good at jiu jitsu.

Most gym owners are awful at practically every aspect of running the business.

Teaching good jiu jitsu is not even a top five priority when it comes to running a good business.

Recruitment at Open Mats is slimy and lacks integrity.

Contracts that run your social security number are a massive red flag.

Constant jibber jabbering speeches after class need to stop.

Charging for promotions feels icky and should be avoided.

Hygiene standards in gyms are crucial for student safety.

Quality over quantity is often forgotten in most academies.

Keywords

BJJ, Jiu Jitsu, Academy Owners, Business, Kids Programs, Quality Control, Membership Contracts, Teaching, Ethics, Personal Development

Summary

In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque dives into various hot takes regarding the operation of BJJ academies. He discusses the value of kids programs, the importance of quality control in scalable businesses, and the necessity of balancing business acumen with jiu jitsu skills. JP also addresses common pitfalls faced by academy owners, the ethics of recruitment during open mats, and the significance of maintaining hygiene standards. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the need for a strong business foundation to ensure the success of a jiu jitsu academy.

Takeaways

Kids programs can be valuable for personal development and fun.

Being good at business is infinitely better than being good at jiu jitsu.

Most gym owners are awful at practically every aspect of running the business.

Teaching good jiu jitsu is not even a top five priority when it comes to running a good business.

Recruitment at Open Mats is slimy and lacks integrity.

Contracts that run your social security number are a massive red flag.

Constant jibber jabbering speeches after class need to stop.

Charging for promotions feels icky and should be avoided.

Hygiene standards in gyms are crucial for student safety.

Quality over quantity is often forgotten in most academies.

Titles

The Business of Jiu Jitsu: Hot Takes Unveiled

Navigating Kids Programs in BJJ Academies

Sound bites

"Recruitment at Open Mats is slimy."

"Charging for promotions feels icky."

"Hygiene standards in gyms are crucial."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to BJJ Academy Owner Hot Takes

01:00 The Value of Kids Programs

02:57 Quality Control in Scalable Jiu Jitsu Businesses

07:20 Business Acumen vs. Jiu Jitsu Skill

08:47 Common Pitfalls of Academy Owners

12:32 Prioritizing Teaching Quality in Business

13:56 Recruitment Ethics in Open Mats

15:24 Consultations and Cultural Fit

16:48 Membership Contracts and Consumer Rights

18:37 Classroom Management and Communication

19:06 Ethics in Pricing and Promotions

21:00 Hygiene Standards in Jiu Jitsu Academies

22:25 Personal Development through Kids Programs

23:22 Trial Class Experiences

24:46 Importance of Fundamentals Classes

27:37 Quality Over Quantity in Academies

If you want to learn more about what I do outside of highly caffinated ramblings head on over to www.GrowJitsu.com and check it out. There's also a free Ebook I wrote to help academy owners grow their business.

In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque discusses strategies for Jiu Jitsu academy owners to regain momentum as summer ends. He emphasizes the importance of planning events for revenue generation, student retention, and recruitment. JP outlines effective marketing strategies, including reactivation campaigns and the use of Facebook ads, to attract new students and keep current ones engaged. He stresses the need for a solid lead nurturing process and a great trial experience to ensure success in the competitive landscape of martial arts academies.

Takeaways

Prioritize rebuilding momentum as summer ends.

Plan monthly events for revenue, retention, and recruitment.

Implement a reactivation campaign to bring back former students.

Engage current students with challenges and seminars.

Use marketing strategies that resonate with your audience.

Facebook ads can be effective if set up correctly.

Ensure a great free trial experience for new students.

Lead nurturing is essential for converting interest into sign-ups.

Onboarding processes can reduce quit rates in the first 90 days.

Consistency in marketing efforts leads to long-term success.

If you want to learn more about me or how I help BJJ academies grow, head on over to Growjistu.com for details or to reachout.

Summary

In this episode of the Business of Jujitsu podcast, Devin Needles shares his journey from a Jiu Jitsu practitioner to the owner of Ground Control Academy. He discusses the challenges and successes of running an academy, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, structured curriculums, and effective lead generation strategies.

Devin highlights the significance of creating a welcoming environment for new students and the role of enthusiasm in sales. He provides insights into the onboarding process and the necessity of having a well-thought-out class structure to enhance the student experience and drive growth.

Takeaways

Devin started his academy in a small town to avoid competition.

Low startup costs and minimal expectations were key to initial success.

Professionalism and structured processes are essential for running a successful academy.

Lead generation websites and automation can significantly improve student onboarding.

Enthusiasm for Jiu Jitsu helps in nurturing leads and converting them into students.

Trial classes should be well-structured to ensure a positive experience for newcomers.

A standardized curriculum helps students progress and understand Jiu Jitsu better.

Creating a welcoming culture is crucial for retaining new students.

Academy owners should focus on the student experience to drive growth.

Having a clear sales process and marketing strategy is vital for long-term success.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jiu-Jitsu Journey

05:52 Professionalizing the Academy

12:00 The Importance of Enthusiasm in Sales

17:51 Creating a Seamless Customer Experience

24:27 Overcoming Growth Challenges in Jiu-Jitsu Academies

33:54 Enhancing Student Experience Through Contextual Learning

42:52 Key Strategies for Academy Owners to Foster Growth