Today we’d like to introduce you to Victor Guarino.
Hi Victor, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I had been studying martial arts since I was 12, both at my home dojo in New Jersey and on my own when I was away. In 2021, I found myself back in New Jersey I met a woman through TikTok. During the 2020 lock down, I had found a fairly decent group of online martial artists there. We all would post videos, share ideas, and grow together. Karen was one of those people. After a month or so of talking privately, it was clear that we were more than friends. She lived in Kansas, and since I was in a transitional period of my life with nothing tying me to where I was, I packed up my life and headed west with my dog. She too had loved martial arts and so we began training with each other in out basement with the vague dream of one day teaching at our own school. A friend of ours asked me the direct question one day, “Why haven’t you and Karen opened a school yet?” Since there was no real answer, we started looking for a place.
On April 20, 2023, we started a once a week program out of a community center in Lenexa. We had 9 students, including our 2 children, on our first day. A few months into this, it became clear that once a week just was not cutting it for the students we were teaching, but the community center did not have a second night that worked well for us or our students. Karen and I were married on October 7, 2023 at the KC Zoo (in the penguin exhibit) and two days later we opened our Lenexa location in the Country Hill Shopping Center off Lackman Road. We now have classes 6 days a week ranging for all ages and skill level (yes we even run a Toddler & Me program that starts at 18 months!). We teach traditional arts, like karate, jujitsu, and bagua zhang kung fu, as well as other more niche programs like our “Space Katana” seminars.
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?
The road toward the things you love are never smooth. Karen and I both work other jobs in the day. She is a manager at a pet store and I work as a substitute teach in a few school districts, but it is worth it. We are doing what we love with the people that we love. As someone who moved to the KC Metro only knowing one person (who is now my wife) the school has provided a great community not just for our students but for myself as well. When we had a personal family emergency and had to close the school, no one was anger. In fact the students and their families rallied around and supported us through that time. All things worth having are hard to attain.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a martial arts school that seeks to have students find better balance of body, mind, and spirit. Our programs range in diversity because the needs of our community are diverse. Traditional martial arts are our staple, but we also run a Ladies Kickboxing class, Zen Movement which uses movements and practices from tai chi and yoga to help students find relaxation through meditative movement. We also run 5-6 week programs like “Space Katana” and “Dojos & Dragons” which have Sci-Fi and fantasy themes while encouraging the students to keep active and have fun!
Most importantly, our school has become a community. Our goal is for each person to be better today than they were yesterday. That looks different for everyone. We are a collection of individuals from differing background, beliefs, and creed, but we come together as equals to the same goal. Self-improvement.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I consider us lucky to have opportunities and to recognize them when they come. We also are a small school, just starting out, but the people who walk through our doors are committed. They not only are committed to their training, but we have been lucky that they have been committed to the vision Karen and I have set forth. They are a solid core that have a passion for their training, but care even deeper about each other and the community at large.
Pricing:
- Traditional Martial Arts – $130/month, 2 classes a week
- Zen Movement – $65/month, once per week
- Ladies Kickboxing – $40/month, once per week
- Perk Package (includes all plus more perks) – $200/month
- We also have discounts for additional family members and “Max Household” Rates
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kckaratejujitsu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfmartialartsjoco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wolfmartialart
