Martial Arts Professional

[Bill Glasheen]

John

Neither Dana nor I are talking about Ric. I met Ric probably before you even started karate. He was a fine person then, and a fine person now.

Ric = fine martial artist and good businessman.

John = need some social skills.

Ric <not equal> John

I've asked you before not to do what you are doing, John. Do not bait people by being a pinhead - all by your lonesome - and then claiming to represent Ric when the negative responses predictably come at you.

I'd love to hear more about Ric's school, what works, and how he does things. Spare the disparaging remarks about other ways of doing things. That violates forum protocol and basic etiquette. Understood?

- The Moderator

[Willy]

Some readers seem to have interpreted the diverse points of discussion in the thread as Sensei Martin's beliefs and that's simply not the case.

No I think everyone is pretty clear that a lot of what you post is hero worship John and not the words of your instructor. If you were my student I’d be embarrassed by your antics and I’d have a chat with you.

I suspect anyone who is interested has already picked up a copy of the mag.

Your thread has evolved into divergent conversations I suspect because no one is interested in kneeling at the alter with you to worship this fine man.

I’m not a big fan of Wal-Mart and my main goal in life is not to acquire great wealth. In fact I’m doing okay hardly working; my business is ten years old.

I’m more focused on the quality of life than the pursuit of wealth. My dojo is 2.5 years old so I can expect that a department store sized dojo will bring about my extinction in the very near future.

Actually I expect I’ll be teaching for a few years yet, and hang onto your chair John, but I’m hoping I can stop charging a fee for it in the near future.

I’m happy you are happy training where you are John. As far as these amateur part time teachers are concerned: There was one who worked as a janitor in a textile mill and taught karate at night. I’d give my teeth away to train with him. I guess you wouldn’t be interested in a relic of the past like him would you John. No part time ad lib karate shows for you.

[Bill Glasheen]

I hope Ric makes a fortune, builds a half dozen more schools, buys a boat, smokes the finest Cuban stogies, and runs for governor.

And I hope Laird finds peace teaching crazy Canucks and Snow Bunnies. Maybe you can wrestle a grizzly or two while you're at it, and tell us how it went.

It's all good by me. We each form our unique square on the martial tapestry.

- Bill

[Willy]

I'll send you a clip when I get one to submit with a kimura

[Rick Wilson]

"The mom and pop dojo and the part-time studio are curiosities and relics of a by-gone era. Wake up to the energy and enthusiasm of the growth process. It's exciting and a challenge."

“When the WalMart and Target move in, the smaller private enterprises go under.”

I wonder how Mr. Martin feels about his dojo being called a Wall-Mart by one of his students?

Wall-Mart = Successful business. True.

Wal-Mart = high quality products ????????????????????????????????????????

Owww!!!!!


Please remember folks it was John that said it NOT me.

(Sorry, Bill I couldn't stop myself. )

[Bill Glasheen]

We could have fun with the back-and-forth for sure. To the extent that it makes people realize there are better ways to share ideas, it's useful. But we should try to take the high road in the process.

Still.. Rick I think you're supposed to say "Target" with a French accent in order to imply proper social pedigree.

Anyhoo...

I'm fine with the idea of Wal-Mart and Target in the business community. We have them around here as well. There's a massive one in the well-heeled Short Pump area very near me. Short Pump is the place to see and be seen.

And shortly after Wal-Mart showed up, do you know what happened? Yes, Target showed up down the block. But the came Short Pump Town Center. It is a massive shopping complex that includes a few chains. But mostly it's all the very high quality, high touch vendors which appeal to those who wouldn't be caught dead in a Wal-Mart. It's funny when you think about the social snobbery. But it is what it is. And they are absolutely friggin' booming. And speaking of chains, Wal-Mart led to Nordstrom’s showing up in this massive new Short Pump mall. That was the focal piece of an area designed to appeal to the big money in the West End suburbs of Richmond.

Head to the Short Pump Wal-Mart and look around. You start off noticing that the parking lot is filled with stickers from all the surrounding rural counties. Go inside and check around. You see Bubba and his rather... uh... horizontally enhanced spouse stocking up on sugar goodies, inexpensive baby clothes made in China, generic dog food, etc. Then go over to Short Pump Town Center. You see the anorexic Stepford Wives in Nordstrom’s basking in the high-touch environment, spending money on one-of-a-kind fashion items. You go to the doggie specialty shop and get foo foo treats for Fifi. You can eat sushi and sashimi at Osaka's, or get a fresh fruit smoothie with an additive of your choice at one of three different fresh fruit smoothie shops. You can eat elk at Firebird's restaurant. There are original work art shops, original work pottery and craft shops, etc., etc. If you wish to be parted from your excess cash, this is the place to drive your Lexus, Mercedes, or Bimmer and do it.

What a country!

- Bill

P.S. Buried in there is an important business message for martial art schools large and small, profit and non-profit, generic and personal.

[MikeK]

Then go over to Short Pump Town Center. You see the anorexic Stepford Wives in Nordstrom’s basking in the high-touch environment, spending money on one-of-a-kind fashion items.

Are you implying that my wife is from Stepford and anorexic?

It's funny when you think about the social snobbery.

I don't think it's about social snobbery but more about economic advantage and opportunity. I shop at that mall because I can, not because I'm trying to be seen.

It's also about crap versus quality(talking about clothes). My wife searches out bargains in every high end store in that mall. If she can't find what she wants (quality, style and fit) for a price she's willing to pay then she holds onto her money. But in Wal-Mart no matter what the price you pay you are still usually buying crap, and two of crap is still crap.

P.S. Buried in there is an important business message for martial art schools large and small, profit and non-profit, generic and personal.

[MikeK]

More on contracts from Rob Redmond

[Bill Glasheen]

There's quite a bit of hyperbole in my post, Mike. I'm taking the Jay Leno approach; everyone gets the rough treatment.

Nobody should ever take themselves too seriously.

I agree about the Wal-Mart thing. We tried buying baby and kids' clothes there. And every single time, you'd bring the inexpensive item home and something would fall off of it. It cost more to drive back to the store to get your money back. Consequently I tend to shop for simple, durable things in a handful of stores that carry such items.

Now and then it isn't bad. If it's 10 PM after workout and I need a grocery this or that, it's just across the street from the gym. The mutants are all out in the store at that time of the night, but you can get what you want and get out as long as you have your trusty whatever in your pocket.

- Bill

[Rick Wilson]

[MikeK]

Just giving you a hard time Bill.

My favorite 12:15 AM Wal-Mart denizen was the woman in a white see through blouse, with a black bra, pushing a shopping cart with two kids in it and yelling for quote, "Travis, get your ass back here riiiiiiigt nooooooow!"

but you can get what you want and get out as long as you have your trusty whatever in your pocket.

That's what a deputy told me. He'd never shop at Wal-Mart because of the crime.