School Owner Talk

Episode 429: The December Retention Crisis: Keeping Students Through the Holidays Podcast Description It's mid-November, and you can feel it coming. Families are getting busier. Attendance is starting to drop. Parents are distracted. And you know what's around the corner—the December retention crisis. Every year, it's the same story. December hits, families disappear, and then January rolls around...

Episode 428: Holiday Sales Strategy: Turning November & December Into Your Best Months Podcast Description November and December can be your most profitable months of the year—if you plan ahead and execute the right strategies. In this timely episode, Duane and Allie break down exactly how to maximize holiday revenue in your martial arts school. From retail bundles and program upgrades to paid-in-...

427 | Are We Running the Hardest, Easiest Business There Is? Podcast Description Nearly three decades into owning martial arts schools, Duane and Allie keep coming back to the same paradox: Are we running the hardest business or the easiest business? In this raw and honest episode, they dive deep into both sides of this question. From the emotional weight of student quits and tragic incidents to t...

426 | Why Martial Arts Still Matter in a World of Instant Gratification Podcast Description In Episode 426 of School Owner Talk, Duane Brumitt and Allie Alberigo tackle a critical question. Specifically, why do martial arts still matter in today's world? Moreover, they explore what true discipline really means when instant gratification dominates modern culture. The challenge is real. Two white be...

425 | Breaking Third Wall: How to Get Martial Arts Families Fully Committed Podcast Description In Episode 425 of School Owner Talk, Duane Brumitt and Allie Alberigo tackle one of the toughest challenges in the martial arts business: getting clients and families fully committed and dedicated to your program. They explore the concept of "breaking the third wall" - stepping beyond just teaching stud...

424 | Martial Arts School Culture: Motivating Students and Families to Engage Podcast Description In this episode of School Owner Talk, Duane Brumitt and Allie Alberigo tackle one of the biggest challenges facing martial arts school owners today: getting students and families to truly engage with your school culture rather than treating it as just another transaction. From parents who drop off the...

423 | What I Wish I Knew Starting My Martial Arts School vs. What I Know After 30+ Years Podcast Description In this candid episode of School Owner Talk, Duane Brumitt and Allie Alberigo get real about the lessons they've learned running martial arts schools for over three decades. From the mental toll of business ownership to the evolution of student expectations, this conversation reveals the ra...

Podcast Description In this episode of School Owner Talk, Duane Brumitt and Allie Alberigo sit down with Gus Lopez of Lead Hunter Media to uncover the three biggest pitfalls martial arts school owners make with their marketing—and how AI can help solve them. From struggling with poor lead quality to failing at consistent follow-up, this conversation highlights the gaps that prevent schools from gr...

421 | The Attention Span Crisis – How Martial Arts Can Be the Cure (Part 2) Podcast Description In this follow-up to Episode 420, Duane Brumitt and Shihan Allie Alberigo dive deeper into the attention span crisis facing today’s children—and how martial arts can provide the solution. This episode focuses on the practical side: how to educate parents, how to use curriculum design to reinforce focus,...

Podcast Description In this episode of School Owner Talk, Duane Brumitt and Shihan Allie Alberigo dive into the growing attention span crisis among today’s youth and how martial arts schools can adapt. They compare childhood in the 70s, 80s, and 90s to today’s digitally distracted world, highlighting the challenges—and opportunities—for instructors. The discussion explores technology’s impact on f...

Podcast Description The back-to-school season is one of the biggest growth opportunities for martial arts school owners. Parents are looking for activities that build discipline, confidence, and focus—and martial arts is at the top of that list. In this episode of School Owner Talk, Duane Brumitt and Allie Alberigo share how to capitalize on this season with targeted events, promotions, and commun...

Podcast Description In this powerful episode of School Owner Talk, Duane Brumitt and Allie Alberigo expose the “hidden leaks” that silently drain your martial arts school of students, energy, and income. From overlooked onboarding issues and poor follow-up to undertrained staff and outdated systems, these problems often go unnoticed—until it’s too late. But here’s the good news: every leak can be...

Podcast Description In this raw and revealing episode of School Owner Talk, Allie Alberigo and Duane Brumitt have an honest conversation about what it’s like to run a martial arts school when things aren’t going well — and you still have to “stay positive.” They share their personal frustrations, reflect on recent events with low turnout and lack of engagement, and talk candidly about the pressure...

Podcast Description Summer should be a time to recharge — but for martial arts school owners, it often turns into a season of burnout and overwhelm. In this episode, Duane Brumitt and Allie Alberigo share real-world strategies to help you enjoy your summer while keeping your school healthy and profitable. They break down how to plan intentional time off, train your team to operate smoothly in your...

Podcast Description In this episode of School Owner Talk, Allie Alberigo and Duane Brumitt dive deep into the art of enrollment and upgrades. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable selling, unsure how to present your programs, or hesitant to introduce upgrades like Leadership or BBC — this episode is for you. You’ll learn how to confidently present your school’s value, close enrollments without pressur...

Podcast Description In this high-energy episode of School Owner Talk, Allie and Duane dive into one of the most powerful yet underutilized tools in martial arts school marketing — the referral contest. They walk you through exactly how to plan, launch, and promote a full-blown referral campaign that not only generates new leads and sign-ups but also creates excitement and unity throughout your sch...

In the competitive world of martial arts schools, having a strong and recognizable brand identity can make all the difference. Join us in this episode as we explore the essential elements of building a powerful brand that resonates with current and potential students. We’ll discuss how to define your school's unique value proposition, create a memorable logo and visual identity, and develop consis...

Podcast Description Summer may be slow for some, but smart school owners know it’s no time to go silent. In this episode, Duane and Allie sit down with longtime marketing partner Gus Lopez from Lead Hunter Media to dive into why consistent marketing—especially through social media—is essential during the summer months. Discover the psychology of momentum, the real cost of going quiet, and why visi...

In Episode #412 of School Owner Talk, Duane Brumitt and Shihan Allie Alberigo tackle some of the toughest challenges faced by martial arts

Branding That Breathes: Aligning Your Martial Arts School with Your Culture Podcast Description: In this episode of School Owner Talk, Duane Brumitt and Shihan Allie Alberigo dive deep into the often-overlooked topic of branding for martial arts schools. It’s not just about logos or colors—it’s about creating a brand that breathes life into your school and reflects the core values, culture, and mi...

Building Wealth as a Martial Arts School Owner: From Paycheck to Prosperity Podcast Summary: In this eye-opening episode, Duane Brumitt and Allie Alberigo tackle a topic often avoided by martial arts school owners: finances. From personal money mistakes to strategies for long-term wealth and retirement planning, they break down real-life stories, hard lessons, and actionable financial wisdom that...

Episode Summary: With the new Karate Kid: Legends movie hitting theaters on May 30, 2025, this episode is a masterclass in how martial arts school owners can harness the buzz to boost enrollments. Stephen Oliver shares his decades of marketing wisdom, including stories from past movie promotions like Enter the Dragon, Power Rangers, and The Karate Kid. Together with Duane and Allie, the conversati...

In this episode of School Owner Talk, Duane Brumitt and Allie Alberigo deliver a highly practical and motivating conversation around one of the most underused growth strategies in martial arts school ownership: community engagement. From partnering with local schools and daycares to maximizing field trips, fundraisers, birthday parties, and even Facebook groups — Duane and Allie share how school o...

Episode Overview In this honest and heartfelt episode of School Owner Talk, Duane and Allie open up about something all martial arts school owners experience—but often don’t talk about: burnout. From feeling exhausted and frustrated to questioning motivation and drive, they dive into what it means to hit a wall and how to keep leading when energy is low and emotions run high. If you’ve ever felt l...

Episode Overview In this value-packed episode of School Owner Talk, Duane Brumitt and Allie Alberigo explore the most common mistakes martial arts school owners make—often without realizing it—and how to correct them. From retention and pricing issues to burnout and outdated marketing, this conversation is focused on helping school owners take back control of their business and reignite their pass...