The Dojo of Karate

My outdoor electrical sign is now up! It says, “Karate”… Very simple because the signage is EXTREMELY expensive, and my unit seems to be one of the “elbows” of the shopping center. Basically where the center bends, so it’s tough to see anything on the left side. Ether way, it looks great! It took the sign company about 1 hour to install it. I need to remember to show you guys a picture of it, but I keep forgetting to bring my camera.

I’m going to drop by Signs By Tomorrow on Monday to go over any final details on the window signage too. At least this will give me some great foot traffic advertising.

Also, today, after my camping trip this weekend, my buddy Adam and I went to the school to start painting. I just picked an off white color for the entire place. It actually looks really good because the white makes the school look bigger. We were only able to paint one coat because of time, but we’ll have to drop by again to do a 2nd coat. I’m thinking we can fly through this since it just took us about 2 hours to paint the major walls. Otherwise, I’m excited to see how it turns out.

There are a few other projects that I need to do, like get my mirrors installed, fill in the carpet gaps and place new carpet in other parts of the floor, buy some material for my benches to cover up the particle board (makes it look more professional), and probably just odds-and-ends. If I can get a lot of these smaller projects done, than I can get close to preparing for my Grand Opening. I’ll be pushing it, but I think I can get very close to being open 100%. Think positive people!

I’ll be out of town starting Tuesday for entire week over the 4th of July, so when I get back, I have a ton of work ahead of me, but it should be fun!

Until next time…

The Dojo Blog broomfield, colorado, karate sign, martial arts, self-defense, westminster

Honestly! I’m sure I jinxed myself from one of my posts in May - Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down… Things were moving right along. I was getting my sub-contractors lined up, so that when my permit was going to be issued in early June, I’d be right on track. I’m far from that right now.

I finally got my plans reviewed by the City of Westminster, but they did not issue a permit because they are requesting some more clarifications regarding the electrical. I don’t know why either… The changes made to the unit are so minor, that it should had been an easy review because the majority of the stuff is staying/existing. I even talked to my architect about the City’s comments - he was livid! He was even more upset than me because they were questioning his work, when he specifically talked to the city to make sure he was going to meet their regulations. Bob (my architect) thought I was calling to invite him to my Grand Opening… FAR FROM IT… Read more…

The Dojo Blog broomfield, business, colorado, Dojo, karate, martial arts, westminster

Seriously…  I still don’t have a permit issued!  :-(  The city hasn’t even reviewed it…  I called my property manager to see if we can re-evaluate my lease, since it’s taking WAY longer to have my permit approved and I am nearing the date my lease will take full effect - as far as rent.  Let’s hope they’ll be willing to push my first months rent forward one month, or give me two additional months of half rent.  Either way, this is becoming a thorn in my side. Read more…

The Dojo Blog broomfield, colorado, Dojo, introductry lessons, karate, karate lessons, martial arts, martial arts lessons, val-u-ads, westminster

It’s been 3 1/2 weeks since I turned in my plans to the City, and they have not reviewed my plans yet… I even had them expedited! Apparently there are 4 other plans ahead of me. I’m beginning to get frustrated because my goal was to start construction this past week, and possibly be open by the 2nd or 3rd week of June. It’s not looking good… I expected these type of delays, set-backs, etc., but not this close to being open. Well, there’s not much I can do other then continue to market my school by any means possible.

My 2nd round of direct mailers through Val-U-Ads for North Metro go out this week, which I’m hoping to get more inquiries. I’m also creating a flyer to put outside of my school, like real estate does when selling a house, so pass-goers can grab some information. Read more…

The Dojo Blog colorado, japanese characters, karate, kung fu panda, martial arts, Orchard Shopping Mall, self-defense, tattoo, val-u-ads, westminster