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Episode 456 | Interview with Solomon Brenner

Podcast Description

Solomon Brenner (founder of Action Karate) joins Duane Brumitt and Shihan Allie Alberigo for a real-talk conversation about what it actually takes to build a team, grow leaders, and keep your school moving forward when the “business owner rollercoaster” hits.

They dig into the stages most owners go through (from early excitement to hard lessons to true interdependence), how to develop instructors faster without watering down your curriculum, and why the future belongs to school owners who combine smart systems (including AI) with real human connection.

Key Takeaways

1. Most school owners go through predictable “stages” — and naming them helps you move through them faster. Solomon breaks down the progression from early excitement, to the “paying for everything” grind, to the dangerous “freedom/complacency” phase, and finally the “we stage” where growth accelerates because everyone is aligned.
2. Stop saying “staff” if you want people to act like leaders. Build a team (and partners). One of Solomon’s first points is language: “team” creates ownership, identity, and a higher standard than “staff.” It’s a small shift that changes expectations.
3. You’re not looking for everyone — you’re looking for the hungry, humble, smart ones. Solomon’s view is simple: you have to sift through a lot of people to find the right long-term players. A big tell? If they won’t read a book you give them (like Rich Dad, Poor Dad), they’re probably not hungry.
4. You don’t need a black belt to teach a white belt. Start leadership development earlier. Solomon’s model is to get people teaching at a low rank (and even involve parents as “parent coaches”), so by the time someone becomes a black belt, they’ve already been building teaching skill for years.
5. Parent coaching can be a retention and culture cheat code. Action Karate uses “parent coaches” who go through a short certification, wear a uniform, and help on the mat in simple ways (targets, encouragement, keeping kids engaged). It’s not about advanced technique — it’s about building community and support.
6. Don’t blame “this generation.” Assume it’s a leadership and motivation problem you can solve. Solomon pushes back hard on the “kids these days” mindset because it removes your control. His reminder: people are motivated — they may just be motivated toward something else. Your job is to bridge that gap with a compelling future.
7. Grassroots marketing still wins — because most owners won’t do the boring stuff consistently. SEO, Meta ads, and Google Ads are table stakes. However, Solomon emphasizes the real separator: birthday parties, daycare programs, community events, and showing up where families already are.
8. If you’re doing table events, the difference is energy. Sitting behind the table with crossed arms gets you zero leads. Standing in front, engaging, high-fiving, and inviting people to participate changes everything.
9. Use cameras like game film: diagnose what’s really happening in intros and enrollments. Solomon recommends recording intro lessons and enrollment conversations so you can review what worked, what derailed the process, and where prospects actually drop off. It’s not just security — it’s coaching.
10. AI is a tool — but human connection is the long-term advantage. Solomon shares how they use AI for drafting parent responses, preparing for difficult conversations (even using personality profiles), and reviewing documents. Still, he believes personal texts, calls, and real relationship-building will matter more and more.

Action Steps for School Owners

1. Teach your team the “stages” of ownership. Use Solomon’s framework as a normalizing tool. When your leaders know what phase they’re in, they stop panicking and start progressing.
2. Build an instructor pipeline earlier than you think. Create a simple ladder:

1. Beginners help with tiny tasks
2. Low ranks teach basics to brand-new students
3. Higher ranks mentor lower ranks
4. Senior ranks polish and lead

3. Add a “parent coach” option (even if it’s small). Start with 1–3 parents who love being involved. Give them a short training, a clear role, and a uniform so they take it seriously.
4. Treat your intro process like a sport. Put a camera in the intro room and do weekly “game film review.” Look for patterns, not excuses.
5. Pick one grassroots channel and commit for 90 days. Daycares, birthday parties, library programs, school events — choose one and do it consistently. The boring stuff is where the wins are.
6. Use AI to support communication — not replace it. Draft emails and texts with AI if you want, but add a personal line that proves a real human is present.

Additional Resources Mentioned

• Rich Dad, Poor Dad (book recommendation for mindset and ownership)
• Zig Ziglar quote: “You can have everything in life you want, if you help enough other people get what they want.”
• Using cameras for “game film review” of intro lessons and enrollments
• SendOutCards (service mentioned for birthday cards and gifts)