The Business of Jiu Jitsu

In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu podcast, I break down a layered approach to building and growing your Jiu Jitsu academy, from setting your big picture goals all the way down to the small plays that actually move the needle. Whether you're just getting started or trying to fix a gym that's already running, this episode walks you through the exact framework I use when helping academy ow...

Spoilers, yes you should run a Black Friday special at your Jiu Jitsu Academy... But there is both a right way and a wrong way to do this. This episode breaks down what actually makes a good offer, not just for Black Friday, but year-round. I talk about: – Why you should always have some kind of offer running – What makes a promo actually valuable (without giving discounts) – What to do for curren...

In this episode, JP Levesque discusses the critical role of pricing strategy in maintaining a sustainable business. He emphasizes the need for business owners to evaluate their pricing in relation to their operational costs and the potential impact on student retention. The discussion highlights the balance between affordability for customers and the necessity for businesses to ensure their long-t...

In this conversation, Zach Forrest emphasizes the critical role of regular check-ins with clients in a gym setting. He discusses the importance of understanding clients' frustrations and excitements, particularly for new members. By fostering open communication and feedback, trainers can adapt their approach to better meet clients' needs and enhance their overall experience. This ongoing dialogue...

In this episode of The Business of Jiu Jitsu Podcast , JP Levesque breaks down the realities of opening a Jiu Jitsu academy in today’s saturated market. He shares why “just being a good coach” isn’t enough anymore, and why having a marketing budget is no longer optional if you want to grow. From Meta ads to Google search, JP explains how to think about paid marketing, how to budget for it, and why...

Summary In this episode of the Business of Jiu-Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque discusses how Jiu-Jitsu academy owners can achieve consistent growth and turn their academies into successful businesses. He emphasizes the importance of understanding key metrics such as student retention, revenue, and profit margins. JP also highlights the need for dedicated CEO time to strategize and plan for the future,...

In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu, JP Levesque interviews Glenn Powditch, a seasoned jiu jitsu practitioner and gym owner. They discuss the duality of running a gym as a hobby versus a business, the importance of professionalism, and the challenges gym owners face. Glenn shares insights on how to navigate the commercialization of jiu jitsu while maintaining integrity, the significance o...

Are you a black belt on the mats but a white belt in business? In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque explores the concept of belt levels in business, drawing parallels to the martial art of jiu jitsu. He discusses the challenges faced by business owners at different stages, from the 'white belt' stage of struggling to establish systems, to the 'black belt&#3...

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 op...

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 cu...

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 e...

Summary In this episode of the Business of Jujitsu podcast, JP Levesque discusses various hot takes related to gym ownership and the business side of jujitsu. He addresses common complaints from the jujitsu community, such as the importance of transparency in pricing and scheduling, the debate over gi requirements, and the challenges of managing students. Levesque emphasizes the need for gym owner...

In this episode, I sit down with Joshua Janis, owner of White Lotus Jiu Jitsu. We talk about what it means to build a Jiu Jitsu academy around intention, clarity, and culture. Joshua shares how his background and philosophy have shaped the way he runs his gym and how important it is to create an environment where the right students thrive. We also dive into the evolution of Jiu Jitsu, how to lead...

A quick episode for once, and clearly a click bait title, but worthwhile if you're still stuck trying to grow your BJJ academy and haven't quite cracked the code. Summary In this episode of the Business of Jujitsu podcast, JP Levesque discusses the importance of embracing discomfort and cringe in order to achieve personal and professional growth. He shares anecdotes about overcoming societ...

In this episode I chatted with Bobby and Amanda McMasters of Open Source BJJ in Ashville NC. They have not only built a place with a good vibe, amazing coaches and team members but they are doing something very unconventional with their Jiu Jitsu academy. They are giving back to their community with a pricing model that allows anyone who wants to train to be able to afford it. Considering most of...

In this solo episode, I rant a little about a bad drop in experience and talk about the main point of this episode which is to embrance change in your business. I share a quick story about a terrible experience I had at a gym recently. I don't name any names or call anyone out, but I tell the story to make a point about professionalism, first impressions, and what your academy is actually sayi...

In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Shaw of Bellingham BJJ. Jeff shares how he built a Jiu Jitsu academy that he runs based on his own compass. Which incidentally exploded in popularity within the first few months of opening, creating a wait list. We talk about building a culture that attracts the right people and repels the wrong ones. But the real gold? Jeff breaks down his onboarding process...

In this solo episode, I kick things off with a simple but important question "What do you actually want out of academy ownership?" A lot of people jump in for the love of Jiu Jitsu, but if you want your academy to succeed long-term, you’ve got to get real about what you’re building and how you're doing it. We break it down into three key areas: Invite: How to get people in the door w...

In this episode, I sit down with Robert Biernacki from Island Top Team! You may know Rob from his work with Stephan Kesting and he's got a great perspective to share on academy ownership and Jiu Jitsu in general. We get into: Finding a balanace when coaching students who are training for fun that helps them improve but not feel picked on How to stay passionate about teaching when your room isn...

In this episode, I go over the core framework every academy needs to grow: Invite, Enroll, Deliver, Retain, Grow If you’re not putting time into these five buckets, your business is probably stuck. I also talk about the actual time commitment it takes to see progress. While putting in MORE hours would be great the truth is, you just need to carve out SOME hours to work on the business side if you...

Jesse and I covered a lot of topics on todays show but here are some major topics and points of interest. How to run a good women's program without having to run a ladies only class. Using games to help students learn faster without changing your entire teaching style. Keeping new students longer with basic reach outs. Setting expectations with new students to keep your academy drama free. It...

Hear me out here, I'm not here to poke the bear. What I am here to do is highlight that your BJJ academy has two totally separate sides. There is the fun side of "teaching, training, coaching side" which is why most people open gyms to begin with. Then you have the other side of the business which is the "a bunch of shit I don't want to do like marketing, sales, creating SOP...

This is an expansion on the onboarding episode from two weeks ago and through all my caffinated ramblings really asks one question of the BJJ Academy owner... What could you be doing for your students to keep them on the path to success? Easier said than done like most things. But these processes and systems start with the idea, then an outline and they become real with one single action. You don&...

I'm excited to have Mike back on the show to talk about his first year in business. While this isn't his first dive into owning a martial arts school this is the first school he has opened in Calgary. Anyone who owned a gym has had the thought, "if I startefd from scratch again what would I do to make my business successful?" Well Mike has been able to answer that question for hi...

If you've owned a Jiu Jitsu academy for more than a year you know summers can be brutal. Once students start to cancel and no one is coming into replace them you start to feel the financial squeeze. Well the good news is you can plan around it, you can engineer summer to be one of your most profitable seasons with kids camps, or just a great season if you plan ahead. From one gym owner to anot...