We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lee Wedlake a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lee, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

I was in college in 1976 and wanted to start a karate school. I’d been teaching at the studio I learned at and at local recreation centers. I had a following who wanted more and I wanted to give them a home. My aunt offered to be a partner and loan me $1500 to get it running. I did and she said “You don’t want a partner. Just pay me back.” And I did. I dealt with all the requirements of licenses and permitting, even having to pay a bribe to get a county permit. But I accomplished it and it paid all its bills in the first few months. I wasn’t making much money and I was going to school as well. The school grew as I learned how to be a better instructor, eventually moving into larger space with many more students. I didn’t have a business mentor and it would not be until I moved to Florida I would completely change my business practices. The industry as a whole was changing and by 1991 I was able to get much needed input on the business side. Take those professional development classes and courses, get a mentor, and network.

Lee, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Today I am recognized as a leader in the martial arts. I have a competition record that includes being nationally rated. I have written and published 10 books on the art of Kenpo Karate, along with numerous magazine articles since the mid-80s. I ran two successful karate studios, one in Chicago and another in Ft. Myers, FL. Today I provide online instruction to black belts and school owners, continue to publish, travel to teach seminars in domestic and international venues and have a subscription website for those wanting access to the information I have on our system of karate. My experiences as a school owner allows me to counsel younger instructors on instructional techniques, give insights into specialized training such as for law enforcement, and how to handle client issues.
I had not started out to be a leader. I owe my start in the arts to three women. My mother, who got me started in a Judo class at the local YMCA. My first Judo teacher, Carole, who was so encouraging to a child. And my aunt, who put up the money to start my first school. It’s been one foot after the other, even when I felt I wanted to quit and didn’t. Being fortunate to have top-notch teachers and mentors was key, but I had to go after them, they didn’t fall in my lap.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In the late 80s there was a economic shift in the martial arts business. 25% of the commercial studios in the US went out of business. The largest supplier of uniforms and equipment was closing distribution centers. I closed my commercial location and ran my classes out of a tennis club. I took a job as a flight instructor to keep from going broke. I did that for about two years. I was still a teacher, but in two fields and not just one. It was hard, and it led to my relocating. In 1991 I got to Florida and determined to use more up-to-date business systems such as contracts, using a tuition collection company, and getting monthly business support geared specifically for martial arts studios. That included advertising programs, in-school promotions, how to sell and so on. My Florida school was twice as big as the Chicago school. I went from having $5000 in my bank account and wondering how I was going to make it to buying a house and having nice cars and a motorcycle.

Any advice for managing a team?

Karate instructors often start as a one-person operation. I read Michael Gerber’s book, The E-Myth, and took it to heart. You have to develop bench strength. Karate students start with a goal, typically they want to be a black belt. Where do they go then, when they reach that? Next degrees? Yes. Maybe they want to teach. Maybe they want their own school. They need to see that as an attainable goal. You mentor them, praise in public, criticize in private. Reward their efforts. Be fair. Be interested in them. I always wanted my students to get what they wanted. I didn’t push them, I pulled them. If I was their role model, I wanted to be the best one I could be. It worked in the studio and it works in the multi-national organization I oversee.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kenpotv.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064780806153
• Other: www.vimeo.com/ondemand/kenpo101 www.vimeo.com/ondemand/kenpo401