Martial Arts World News Magazine - Volume 22 | Issue 3

SCHOOL PROFILE
Master Renard Beaty
All Roads Lead to Black Belt at
Kick Start Martial Arts
Master Renard Beaty is the owner of Kick Start Martial Arts which has been in business
for 12 years serving the community of Atlanta, Georgia. For the first 8 years the school
operated as a traditional brick and mortar type of business, but experienced growth that
currently has produced an active student enrollment of more than 220 happy students.
MAWN: What would you say is the major contribution that your
school is bringing to its community?
RB: We are conscientious about developing civic minded,
accountable, leadership skills in students so they can be productive
in society and to our community. I use a 2 year management
training program I used to administer when I worked at a former
corporation to aid in the process.
MAWN: What are the best producing marketing strategies you
use and what are the lead numbers like per month?
RB: I use a digital media vendor and social media platforms
(website, Facebook, Instagram, Google Business, Yelp) to get the
word out about our school. Those platforms are thriving for us and
give us about 100 leads every month. The average conversion
the leads produces 16 new student enrollments a month. We have
good growth and quality control which gives our current students
a good experience.
MAWN: What are your most significant programs you provide
and their benefits to participants?
RB: My school has two 12 month programs; the Little Ninja and
Basic program. I also have three 24 month programs; the S.W.A.T.,
Master, and Black Belt training. Here is a general overview:
Little Ninja: has students ages 5-7 and develops foundation
skills like developing the body, emotional, social, and critical thinking
skills. It’s 2 classes a week and includes sight teaching.
Basic program: the students are ages 8 years and older. Also
develops the body, emotional, social, and critical thinking skills. It’s
2 classes a week and helps students to learn standard requirements
for Tang Soo Do to earn a black belt to complete it.
S.W.A.T. Club: For students who want to take part in my leadership
development program. They learn how to teach in order to
support the school. Get two extra classes a week (weapons and
sparring) along with a special uniform. Learn 4 extra forms. The
goal is to continue training as black belts. An invitation is given
based on the student drive.
Master Club: is for students that completed S.W.A.T. and want to
learn sword. They can continue to take part in S.W.A.T.
Black Belt Training: I found, in the past, that when I wanted every
student to do S.W.A.T., some quit. They did not want the pressure.
They just wanted to get a black belt and move on to another
activity. So I offer two paths of enjoyment.
MAWN: Do you have a lead generating website and what
about it has been most productive regarding leads?
RB: All my websites have a lead capture component. I get some
leads from them and I recently updated one to have a better SEO
experience. My leads come from many sources, including word
of mouth. I am located in a major metropolitan area with only one
competitor. We have two very different business models. For
example, I am full time, they are part-time. I am for profit. They are
not for profit.
MAWN: Do you use management software and what features
are providing the best benefits for running your school more efficiently?
RB: I use AMS for school management. This is helpful for transfering
my student body’s financial payment to another vendor so I
don’t have any issues with payments.
MAWN: Thanks for your example.
52 MARTIAL ARTS WORLD NEWS VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 3