We were lucky to catch up with Jose Marti recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jose, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success is much more than how much money a person or business makes. To me, success is doing something you love to do in a way that is impactful to your community, family, and country. Discipline is a major quality that is needed to be successful in business. It is being willing to do what is needed to complete the job at the highest level possible. This means waking up early and having clear and measurable goals. Having a plan of action for each day, week, Month, and year. One this that you can not live without is the love and passion for your business.

Jose, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I run two businesses currently, my primary business is my Martial Arts Academy located in Bedford Hills NY. Marti Martial Arts Academy. I have owned this business for 20 years, before this I worked for various corporations in Business Management. I also taught Martial Arts for 15 years before opening my Academy. My journey in Martial Arts started in 1973 when I was growing up in Brooklyn NY. In the 1970’s Brooklyn was not a very safe place and my father enrolled me in Kung Fu at the time for self-defense. Throughout the years, I studied various martial arts and when I was 19 I earned my first Martial Arts teaching certification. I also have Black Belts in various styles of Martial Arts. I also earned two business degrees, which was very helpful to me in being able to have very good jobs and also to understand how business works. My greatest joy in my business is being able to help children. Many children struggle with various challenges such as ADHD, Autism, some have broken homes, maybe have low self-esteem or are not physically fit. Whatever the reasons may be Martial Arts is. a vehicle of self-improvement and to me it is a privilege to teach them and to see them progress in their life. My other passion is Art, I love to paint and I created an Art business where I teach Art Painting classes and well as participating in Art Shows. Often I teach my Martial Arts students about art and how to use various styles of painting.

Have you ever had to pivot?

The biggest challenge I faced as a business owner was when small businesses were being forced to close down during the Covid 19 pandemic. This was something I never have seen in my life and never expected our government to have this much control over individuals’ freedoms. It was a terrible time and many businesses were closed down and bankrupt. I had a very difficult decision. to make, lose the business or take a loan to be able to re-open. In addition, I needed to get creative and work around the mandates like teaching online and teaching outdoors. It was a very difficult time but I got through it.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I funded my business by taking a second mortgage on my house. This is a scary thing to do but I truly believed that I would be successful and I do not regret that descision.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.martikarate.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martimartialartsacademy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mmaadojo
• Other: www.artofjosemart.com