Today we’d like to introduce you to Sue Vogel.
Hi Sue, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My son and I moved to Saint Joseph Missouri in June 2013. In January 2014, my son told me he wanted to try karate class. I knew nothing about martial arts. So I took him for his first class and he loved it! Within two months, I also joined and was on the floor with him taking classes. I was hooked We both joined the leadership program at the school and eventually the legacy program which teaches how to be instructors. Since I taught for my full-time job in the Air Force, it was a logical next step to want to teach martial arts. I met and married my martial arts instructor lol and we opened a martial arts school together in St. Joseph, MO in June 2018. Six years later, we opened another school in St. Joseph, MO. Now with over 120 students, our schools are helping grow leaders in the community, the next level of martial arts instructors, and keeping kids safe. Many of our students tell us that they have been bullied in school and through our program, they have been able to stand up to their bullies. I am now retired from the Air Force and teaching at both of our martial arts schools.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been easy. Owning a small business in this day and age can be challenging. My husband had run businesses prior to starting this business, but I had never run the day-to-day operations of a business before. There were definitely some growing pains in learning how to balance teaching , running the business and being a mother and a wife. I had also never kept books for a business. I’m now getting a lot better at QuickBooks with help and lots of patience from my accountant.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Our school teaches taekwondo through the American Taekwondo Association or ATA. We teach martial arts, self-defense, and weapons basics to students ages four through adult. We don’t just teach martial arts, though, we teach self-confidence, strength, respect, and so much more. Our students are leaders in our school and in their community. I love those moments where a student finally gets a technique that they have been trying to master. The joy in their face and the boost to their confidence is so rewarding. I love when a parent comes to me and says thank you for what you are doing for my child. When they tell me that their child’s behavior has improved at school or at home. Or when a student comes and gives me a hug to say hello or draws me a picture or tells me about an award that they won. Watching a student start as a preschooler in our Tiny Tigers preschool program and then work over the years to earn their black belt. Those are all moments that mean so much and make all of the hard work and sacrifice worth it
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice for those who are starting out – be patient. Sometimes you can be too excited and jump into things too quickly. Be smart and don’t over commit. That was the advice that our mentor gave my husband and I when we started. He also told us to work our tails off for the first several years to get off the ground. He was absolutely right. We started with 12 students and with a lot of hard work, determination and help, we are now over 120 students strong.
Pricing:
- FREE introductory class
- $49 special – 4 weeks plus a FREE uniform
- We host birthday parties
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Atakicksmart.com
- Facebook: Prestige Martial Arts on Facebook
