Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Randall Koch. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Randall thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that everything my parents did, good and bad, can be used to positively impact my life and career.
The positive influence my parents gave me was a good work ethic. They consistently showed examples of working hard. They both showed me how to commit to a goal and stick with it. My father was career Army for 20 years before retiring. My mom currently works for the same company that she started with back in the mid 80’s. My father set a great example to own and operate my own business later on in life by doing the same when I was a child.
But I also learned from the negative things they did as my parents. I won’t get into the specifics about this. But what I learned from this was to just do the oppositive of the things they did that I did not like.
So, either way I learned from my parents and those lessons positively impacted both my personal and professional life.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I’ve been a martial artist since 1982. I started my martial arts training in Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a great sport and did a lot for me when I trained in my youth. But I quickly realized it was not a practical style for self-defense. Most of the techniques that were taught did not work in a real life self-defense or fighting situation. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way when I would get bullied and forced into the occasionally school yard fight and other physical altercations throughout my youth.
In 1999, I started training in Krav Maga. Krav Maga is the official self-defense system of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The IDF had to create a hand-to-hand combat system that could work for both men and women of all sizes and athletic abilities. The techniques had to be taught in a short period of time and easy to retain. Most importantly, it has to work!
I passed my first level of instructor training through Krav Maga Worldwide in 2001 and have been teaching Krav Maga to civilians who want to truly learn how to protect themselves while getting into good shape ever since. I’m currently a black belt and expert level instructor in Krav Maga with over 21 years of teaching experience specifically in this defensive tactics system. My students appreciate they can do realistic training scenarios without worrying about getting hurt because they are being taught by an experienced instructor who can provide practical training without sacrificing safety.
Readers can learn more about my Krav Maga training center and curriculum at my website www.KravMagaTraining.com.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Figure out what your specific niche is in the market. Once you figure that out, try to be the best at what you do through constant training and improvement. Be an expert in your specific field.
Next, run your business ethically with your primary focus on what is best for your business in the long-run. It’s easy to get too focused on short-term gains or trying to make a quick buck. If you focus on short-term gains only, your reputation may get tarnished eventually.
If you want to develop a good reputation in your market, you need to be the best at what you do and do what’s best for your customers or clients in the long-run. If you balance high competence with high character, you will succeed in the long run.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I’ve been owning and operating martial arts/self-defense schools since 1994 until now. I’ve never quit. There have been so many times I have come across obstacles and problems, both personally and professionally. There’s been so many times I was tempted to quit. But I kept evolving and changing my business model in order to adapt to my current situation and times. By doing this, I’ve always been able to stay in business. The ability to prevent and overcome problems is the key to resiliency in business and in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kravmagatraining.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kravmagaschool/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KravMagaTraining/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kravmagaschool
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/KravMagaTraining
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/krav-maga-worldwide-fort-lauderdale-oakland-park
3 Comments
Pat Jacobi
I have known Randall since he was a child! My son took Taekwondo from Randall’s dad and they became great friends, traveling to tournaments all around the West! I often attended and became the Taekwondo mom so to speak! Randall is an outstanding man! I am so proud of the work he has accomplished and continues to do! I love him like one of my own children! He was an outstanding competitor in his youth! Great young man! Proud to know him!
Shannon Rowley
Good article on Randall Koch, he is an amazing young man with the strength, initiative & focus to get where he wants to be. Plus he’s a genuinely sweet person who actually cares for people. He’s truly done it on his own. He’s a great role model .
Gary Myers
Hi Randall,
You are an inspiration. The only thing in life the is constant is change. Be well and stay safe.