We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Scott Hutchinson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Scott below.

Scott, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?

I was driving home after my morning class on January 7 at my taekwondo studio in Pacific Palisades. As I was taking a right on Sunset Blvd, from Via De La Paz, I saw the smoke from the new fires along with hearing sirens. Never, ever would I have thought that I would not see my studio again after that moment and that the community that I had really learned to love would no longer exist as it was.
When you run a studio that becomes a place where family migrates and great friendships develop, once we learned on January 8th that the studio and the community no longer existed, I wanted to reach out to the families and check on them and to let them know that we were there for them in any capacity that we could be. The loss was so extensive for most of these families that the only thing that I could think of was to invite them to bring the children to our Westwood studio so we could support the children and to create care packages and notes from all of the Westwood students trying to show them as much support as we could.
I built a room that we came to call the Pali Lounge that was a comfortable room with books and games and big comfortable furniture where the kids could come and hang out. The taekwondo floor was open to them, but also a place just to relax and to decompress. It also allowed the parents to be able to leave and to take care of the enormous tasks that laid before them.
Our Westwood studio was wide open for them, but within a few months, I realized that the Palisades community needed their own place too. Nothing is tougher than crossing the 405 at 4pm to get to classes in Westwood! We found our “sweet spot” on Montana Ave and 9th St. and we went full force to secure a lease. We were able to open on May 1.

Scott, 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?

My name is Scott Hutchinson and most people from our studios know me as “Master H.” I have been practicing taekwondo for over 35 years and I am a 7th degree blackbelt. I teach students from 3 years old up to 75 years old. TKD is a martial arts/sport that anyone can start, at any age. Most people know the sports side of Tae-kwon-do and that is kicking (tae) and punching (kwon) which is why most people decide to start. But the “do” side is why they stay, it is the way that you live life, through respect, discipline and an indomitable spirit. I always try to lead by example and teach in a way that makes students want to come back. I try to create a fun, inviting learning environment. The studio really is a community that supports each other through all aspects of life.

Have you ever had to pivot?

On March 15, 2020, I received the notification that we could no longer have in person classes and that we had to shut down our studio.
The very next day was the first day that I had my first zoom class. I knew nothing about Zoom, but quickly realized that this is what I really needed to do to keep my business a float and to also be there for my community of students who were just as shocked as I was with what was happening.
With the help of Videos and Instagram, I was able to connect the community with different challenges that kept everyone engaged. I also went to people’s side walks and back yards to teach and to do testings. I would literally drive by and drop new colored TKD belts into their mailboxes.
During this time, I started a free beginners class realizing how important it was for kids to exercise and to have connections as we were all locked down. We had students doing in from all over the country.
In July 2020, I started outdoor classes in the parking lot behind my studio for students that wanted to meet live as I continued simultaneously doing Zoom classes for those that did not want to meet in person.
Through this pivot and that the great community of people that we are part of our studio, we were one of the small businesses that actually survived that crippling year.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Over the years, I have tried different types of advertisements. I have learned that most of my referrals come from word of mouth. I always try to give the best that I can every single day and to connect to all of my students. I love what I do, I have a great passion for TKD and this energy attracts people to come into the studio.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://trtkd.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tae_ryong_palisades