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 owners clean up their systems and grow.

We go over how to do a simple “traffic light” assessment of your gym, how to build structure around retention, onboarding, and lead flow, and how to engage your current students without needing a huge marketing budget. I also share some easy-to-execute ideas like monthly attendance shoutouts, Google review habits, rewards systems, and how to know when you're ready to scale. If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed, this episode will give you a real game plan to work from.Head on over to https://growjitsu.com/book to download a free copy of my book 'The Unstuck Academy'.

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 current members during the holidays
– When to turn paid ads back on in the new year
– And yeah… the uncomfortable truth about price increases and cutting discounts

Short episode, straight to the point.

PS. If you want some help growing your Jiu Jitsu Gym or Academy I've got jus the thing for you.

Head on over to https://growjitsu.com/book to download a free copy of my book 'The Unstuck Academy'.

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-term viability through appropriate pricing adjustments.

Takeaways

If your prices are too low, you're breakeven.

Raising prices can significantly increase revenue.

Consider the impact of price changes on student retention.

It's important to balance affordability with business needs.

Long-term sustainability requires regular price evaluations.

Evaluate your roster to predict who might leave after a price increase.

Shit is expensive; businesses need to adapt pricing accordingly.

Pricing strategies should reflect the realities of operational costs.

Don't price people out of your service; find a balance.

Regularly assess your pricing to ensure business longevity.

If you want to learn more about how I help academy owners grow their business without becoming Mc Dojos head on over to www.GrowJitsu.com and book a demo.

PS. There's also a free Ebook I wrote to help academy owners grow their business - https://growjitsu.com/book

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 is essential for building strong client relationships and ensuring satisfaction in their training journey.

If you don't have a good member management software to ruin your gym on check out - https://www.pushpress.com/

They have a free tier, they aren't paying me to pitch this, I just believe in the team and the product to the point it's a no brainer to recommend having personally used it in my gym too.

If you are looking to get a little more direction on growing your Jiu Jitsu Gym/Academy head on over to www.growjitsu.com/book and download my free book called 'The unstuck academy' to start seeing growth again in your gym.

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 your dream gym won’t survive if no one knows it exists.

While I did talk about ads the majority of the episode is about the underlying systems you need to have in place BEFORE you consider running paid ads.

This one’s a must-listen if you’re launching an academy or struggling to get new students through the door.

If you own a Jiu Jitsu academy and you want help adding new students, keeping them longer, and building a lasting legacy working with GrowJitsu might be right for you so check out the link below to book a live demo with me.

https://growjitsu.com/request-a-demoAs always, no pressure, no stress, just answers and direction, heres the link to book:

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, encouraging owners to set clear goals and understand their business's potential. The conversation wraps up with actionable steps for academy owners to start seeing growth and improvement in their operations.akeawaysYou need to measure what matters in your business.Understanding churn is crucial for growth.Average client value can be increased through additional offerings.Setting aside CEO time is essential for business improvement.Identify your biggest constraints to growth.Evaluate what has worked and what hasn't in the past.Look at successful academies for inspiration.Define what you want your business to achieve.Your business can be a lifestyle choice or a legacy.Knowing your numbers helps you make informed decisions.

As always if you want some help growing your academy head on over to www.GrowJitsu.com/book to download a free copy of my book 'The Unstuck Academy' so you can start seeing growth in your business today.

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 of tracking leads and marketing effectively, and the role of breath work in enhancing jiu jitsu performance. The conversation emphasizes the need for gym owners to adopt a business mindset to ensure sustainability and success in the competitive landscape of jiu jitsu.

Takeaways

Running a gym can be both a hobby and a business.

Professionalism is key to successful gym management.

Breath work significantly improves jiu jitsu performance.

Tracking leads is essential for gym marketing success.

Maintaining integrity is crucial in the commercialization of jiu jitsu.

Gym owners should not lower their standards for gradings.

Creating a safe training environment reduces injury rates.

Understanding your target market helps in pricing and services.

Building a strong online presence is vital for attracting members.

The jiu jitsu business landscape is evolving, and owners must adapt.

Here is a link to the article on BJJ Fanatic that Glyn mentioned in this episode:

https://bjjfanatics.com/blogs/news/guide-to-opening-a-bjj-gym-hobby-vs-commercial-gym?srsltid=AfmBOor06MU-hykU-pEvxhF3HNWDAigotCsK1XAjsXCRTFez-yLzd3Wd

You can also find Glyn on IG/FB/WEB/BJJ Fanatics, here are some links incase you want to learn more:

SBG Rossendale: https://sbgrossendale.com/

Marketing Agency: https://dreamagility.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/glynpowditch/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/glyn.powditch

BJJ Fanatics: https://bjjfanatics.com/products/breathe-to-win-by-glyn-powditch

If you want some help getting your own BJJ academy getting new students, keeping them long term, and running a profitable business grab my free book here: https://growjitsu.com/book

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' stage of mastery and personal definition of success. The conversation emphasizes the importance of awareness, systemization, and growth in achieving business success.

Takeaways

The hardest stage for business owners is the white belt stage.

Awareness is key to moving from a white belt to a blue belt in business.

Systems are crucial for business success and growth.

Purple belt signifies a solid foundation of systems in business.

Brown belt represents refinement and optimization of business operations.

Black belt in business is a personal journey and definition of success.

Transitioning through belt levels can happen quickly with effort.

Financial stability is essential for business owners to thrive.

Building a business you love requires systemization and awareness.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Business Belt Levels

02:36 Understanding the Business White Belt

04:54 Transitioning to Business Blue Belt

08:11 Achieving the Business Purple Belt

12:26 Reaching the Business Brown Belt

15:48 Defining the Business Black Belt

20:31 Recap and Final Thoughts

If you want to learn more about how I help academy owners grow their business without becoming Mc Dojos head on over to www.GrowJitsu.com and book a demo.

PS. There's also a free Ebook I wrote to help academy owners grow their business - https://growjitsu.com/book