Business
Check it out on Itunes | StitcherOn this special episode of Get to the Contest Small Business Podcast, we are going out of our studio to interview Sensei Pauline and Sensei Adrian from Black Belt Martial Arts, a karate school in Mingara. This is one small business I really admire, from the customer amazing experience that I’ve experienced first-hand to how they utilize simple but very clever marketing techniques in their business. There’s some real gold here that I’m sure you can apply in your respective businesses so make sure to have a listen. Here are some of the key learning from this episode:1. Listen to your customers and identify a potential new marketSensei Pauline and Sensei Adrian made the smart move to do some market research early on in their business. From there, they recognized the specific programs that they need to target their main clientele and maximize the use of their gym by offering other programs for their secondary market. This move also shows that they listened to their customers and provided the demand just by being strategic in their offerings and programs.2. Simple, effective marketing is low cost with high returnsBy creating simple marketing programs such as reward coupons, your business will have the opportunity to entice potential target audience members. It's really easy, effective and measurable. If we were to think about our own respective businesses, I'm sure there's something similar that we can bring in.3. Keep the parent involvedFor a kid-centric business such as Black Belt Martial Arts, it is very important to get the parents involved. Make sure they are comfortable with the program so they’re getting enjoyment out of it, too.4. Connect with the clients once they are inIf you’ve built a good relationship with your clients, you can make sure that the retention of their business will be great. Not only that, they will be encouraged to recommend your business to their colleagues and friends. A high level of customer service and care via good communication is the secret to a successful business.5. Resilience is a skillBusiness can be a struggle sometimes. But taking from a lesson from Sensei Pauline and Sensei Adrian, “A black belt is just a white belt who never quits”, they teach that resilience is a skill. It must be practiced and learned. Keep pushing and focus because you’ll eventually get there. Nothing great is easy and if you can show that absolute focus around pushing towards your goal and pushing beyond what you think is possible, eventually, great things will happen.