It would’ve been a lovely picnic if it hadn’t rained…

Putting aside the content of your syllabus or the standard of student that you create; it's amazing how many instructors think that the "teaching" aspect of running a successful school is the only thing to focus upon. In a manner of speaking, it is the LEAST important aspect...

It is, in fact the reward you get for performing the other tasks necessary to bring in new students (and keep them) and to ensure that you are able to maintain a healthy pulse on the floor.

New blood and attrition are primary key factors to manage if your desire is for longevity in our field (btw: the number of stripes on your belt have absolutely no bearing on this aspect).

Many instructors tell me that they ONLY want to teach… and that they have no interest in learning how to run a business.

Sadly (for them), it is precisely the other way round… if you do not learn how to run the “business”, you will have no students to teach!

Teaching martial arts is a picnic. However, you MUST plan for the day when your school is not growing, or if the students do not stay!

I suppose that you could always rely on divine intervention…