Your Martial Arts Business Mentor
- jimgraden
- Aug 15
- 3 min read
…
From Champion Fighter to White Belt in Business
When I opened my first school at just 19, I was confident in my martial arts skills—but completely unprepared for running a school. I quickly discovered that being a great martial artist didn’t mean I knew how to attract students, build systems, or grow a profitable business.
I was a white belt in business.
So, I did what every good martial artist does—I sought out mentors. I joined organizations like the Educational Funding Company (EFC) and learned from industry legends:
Jeff Smith
Bill Clark
Ernie Reyes
My brother, John Graden, founder of NAPMA
Who Am I, and How Can I Help You?
I sold my last school in 2023, since than I have been studying the martial arts consulting businesses and this is what I learned. There are primaraly two types of martial arts consulting businesses.
Lead Generators - The consulting compnay is focused on only getting you leads, weather its through social media, websites or local promotions. There focus is just on, what I like to "making the phone ring", bringing you leads.
School Licensing - companies that license you there martial arts business to you.. Usaully just on the borderline of franchising. They do most evrything for you, name, logo, website, colors, scheduling, uniforms, marketing, coriculum, everything.
I have no challenged with ethr of these business models.
If you already have a true understanding of what you are doing when it comes to, social media, promotions, statistics, market segmatation, employees, and all the other challenges that coem with running an profitabel martial arts school. Then just lead generator might be right for you.
Or, you feel that you have very little to no understang on how to run a effective and profitbale martial arts business and have no challenge giving up any of your own adentity in your ownbusiness than licensing can be right for you as well.
You see I'm not ether one of those, yes I can help you leads, I can help you with everything because I have done everything!
I'm Jim Graden, and I’ve spent the last four decades blending martial arts, fitness, and business. Here’s what I bring to the table:
✅ World Kickboxing Champion
✅ 5-Time Member of the World Champion U.S. Karate Team
✅ 7th Degree Black Belt – Certified by Joe Lewis
✅ Creator of Cardio Karate – 5,000+ instructors certified across 4 countries
✅ Founder of the Ultimate Body Challenge (UBC) – Licensed in 500+ gyms worldwide
✅ Former Owner of Multiple Schools & Fitness Centers
✅ NAPMA Regional Director – Program developer for school owners
✅ President, Project Action Foundation – Winner of Florida’s Governor’s Award for Best New Nonprofit
✅ Co-creator of National Martial Arts Day – Recognized by 39 governors
Security Provider for the NFL, MLB, PGA, LPGA events and the Big Game
A Legacy of Mentorship
Nothing makes me prouder than seeing students and peers go on to build their own successful legacies:
Chris Sutton – Creator of C.O.B.R.A. Self-Defense
David Bybee – WAKO USA Head Trainer & gym owner
Kim Jackson – Martial arts School owner fro ove 30 years
Matt DiPietro – Owner, MA Fitness, St. Pete FL
How I Can Help You Grow
Whether you're launching your first school or looking to expand your programs and increase revenue, I offer hands-on, customized mentorship for martial arts school owners.
What makes my guidance different?
✔ Custom Coaching
I don’t do cookie-cutter templates. I take the time to understand your goals, challenges, and market—then build strategies tailored for your school.
✔ Direct Access
No getting passed off to staff—you work directly with me and my wife Vikki, a professional designer with 20+ years in branding and studio design.
✔ Full-Spectrum Business Support
We help with everything from school operations to fitness program integration:
✔ Branding & Studio Design
✔ Logo Creation & Visual Identity
✔ Start-to-Finish Fitness Program Development (our specialty)
✔ Instructor Certification Programs
✔ Marketing Campaigns & Social Media
✔ Retention & Curriculum Modifications
✔ Staff Training & Leadership Development
✔ Event Promotion & Execution
✔ Diversity in Program Offerings
No Long-Term Contracts. Just Real Support.
Want to explore how I can help take your school to the next level?
✅ Free Consultation
✅ No long-term commitments
✅ Custom-fit strategy for YOUR school
📞 Call or Text: 727-798-5269
Let’s build something extraordinary—starting today.
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