Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Abigail Mcfarland. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Abigail thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

One thing that sets River Forge Martial Arts apart from the industry standard is how we tailor training to the developmental needs of different age groups. As a SKILLZ-certified Child Development Center, our classes are broken into smaller age-specific groups, which is a significant departure from the traditional martial arts model. Typically, you’ll find classes grouped as 3-6 years, 7-12 years, and 13 and up. When River Forge first opened, we followed this same structure, but it quickly became clear that the developmental needs of a 7-year-old are vastly different from those of a 12-year-old—intellectually, physically, emotionally, and socially.

Think about how schools are organized: elementary, middle, and high school. Why shouldn’t martial arts classes follow a similar logic? Recognizing this gap, I turned to my network within the World Tang Soo Do Association to explore alternatives. That’s when I discovered SKILLZ and Melody Johnson’s innovative approach to child development through martial arts.

With SKILLZ, we reorganized our classes to align with specific developmental stages within each age group. This shift allows us to customize our curriculum, ensuring it matches each group’s physical and cognitive abilities. Smaller class sizes and set student-to-instructor ratios also enable us to provide more individualized attention, creating a more effective and engaging learning environment.

Our instructors and class assistants are trained to understand developmental milestones for each age group, setting realistic expectations and delivering lessons in a fun, play-based learning style. This approach makes learning martial arts both enjoyable and impactful. Students not only develop physical skills but also learn to set and achieve goals, fostering a sense of accomplishment and confidence.

By integrating SKILLZ with the World Tang Soo Do Association curriculum, we’ve created a program that’s not just about martial arts but also about holistic child development. It’s incredibly rewarding to see students thrive in an environment designed to meet their unique needs—and that’s a difference I’m proud to champion.

Abigail, 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 discovered martial arts as a child by chance. I was about 4 or 5 when I visited an indoor soccer arena with my grandmother and saw a martial arts class going on inside nearby. I was captivated, but funny enough, I didn’t start training until I was 13. My parents tried a few free trials at different schools for my brother and me, but none of them felt like the right fit. One day, my dad noticed River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy on his drive home, stopped in to talk to Master Homschek, and the rest is history.

That was 20 years ago, and I can confidently say that moment set me on a life-changing path. As a shy and anxious teenager, martial arts gave me the confidence to step out of my shell and develop as a person. I even based my senior project in high school on learning what it takes to become a martial arts studio owner, putting over 200 hours into research and preparation.

At River Forge Martial Arts, we do things differently. What sets us apart is our approach to teaching. All of our instructors and class assistants undergo SKILLZ training, bi-weekly leadership classes, and continuous active training themselves. We don’t automatically place higher-ranking students in teaching roles. Teaching is a skill, and we carefully evaluate our leadership team to ensure they are well-suited to work with specific age groups and scenarios.

As a SKILLZ-certified school, we use developmentally appropriate tools to engage and motivate students in a way that aligns with their age and learning style. Discipline is still an integral part of martial arts, but it’s not about punishment. For example, instead of giving push-ups for fidgeting, we focus on understanding why the behavior is occurring and adapt our teaching methods accordingly. A preschooler with only four years of language experience, for instance, processes instructions differently than a teenager. By tailoring our approach, we create a positive, effective learning environment.

The thing I’m most proud of is seeing the tangible impact martial arts has on my students’ lives. Parents often share stories of their kids focusing better at school, regulating their emotions at home, and even excelling in or graduating from occupational therapy due to the training they receive at River Forge.

One of my proudest moments was being invited as a guest P.E. teacher at a local elementary school this past November. Over the course of a week, I connected with 600 kids, introducing them to martial arts in a way that left a lasting impression. Months later, I still hear how much fun they had and how positively it impacted them.

At River Forge Martial Arts, our mission goes beyond teaching martial arts techniques. We’re helping kids grow into confident, healthy, and focused individuals who can carry those life skills into every aspect of their lives. That’s what makes our work so meaningful—and why I’m so passionate about what we do.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The greatest test of my resilience came early in my journey as a business owner. I opened River Forge Martial Arts in March 2019, and just one year later, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. At that time, we had only 25 students, were operating out of a church basement on a backstreet with no visibility, and suddenly, the world shut down. To make matters more challenging, I was still working a full-time job while trying to navigate this massive upheaval.

Instead of letting the uncertainty overwhelm me, I focused on finding solutions. I quickly transitioned our classes to a virtual format, created online challenges to keep students engaged, and began planning for the future. I knew the lockdowns wouldn’t last forever, so I started looking for a more visible and accessible location to set us up for success once restrictions lifted.

That summer, I found a shared space with a gym on a main street in a small town and began rebuilding the studio from the ground up. It wasn’t without its challenges—our next location had a collapsing ceiling, another faced water line issues, and eventually, we outgrew every space we moved into. But with each hurdle, I remained committed to pushing forward.

Today, we’re in a location that supports our growth, and we’ve expanded from just 25 students to over 90. The challenges of the pandemic—and everything that followed—forced me to dig deep, stay focused, and adapt in ways I never imagined. That journey taught me that resilience isn’t just about surviving difficulties but using them as a springboard for growth and success.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There are several books that have significantly influenced my management and entrepreneurial philosophy, some of which I began reading back in high school when I first shared my dream of opening a martial arts school with my instructor. My favorites include The E-Myth Revisited, Good to Great, Extreme Ownership, The Obstacle Is the Way, and The Instructor’s Revolution.

Each of these books has shaped my approach to running the studio in unique ways. The E-Myth Revisited helped me understand the importance of building systems and processes so my business can thrive without relying solely on me. Good to Great inspired me to aim for excellence and identify the key factors that differentiate good organizations from truly great ones. Extreme Ownership reinforced the value of taking full responsibility for both successes and setbacks, while The Obstacle Is the Way encouraged me to see challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement.

The Instructor’s Revolution was particularly impactful as it provided invaluable insights into teaching and leading in the martial arts space. It deepened my understanding of how to empower my team of instructors to be better leaders while keeping our mission of student development at the core. It reinforced the idea that teaching is not just about transferring skills but inspiring personal growth in every student.

These resources remind me that while I’m an instructor, I’m also a CEO, head of marketing, HR, and wear many other hats. Every role I take on ultimately serves one purpose: reaching more families and creating a positive impact on our community. Even the hardships I face are opportunities to learn and grow, and I try to approach them as “good problems” to tackle head-on. These lessons keep me grounded, motivated, and focused on the bigger picture.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://riverforgema.com/
• Instagram: @riverforgema
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverForgeMartialArts