Grandmaster Stephen Oliver

Maybe I was just born under a lucky star – but when it comes to running a professional martial arts school I was born with the proverbial “Silver Spoon.”

My training started in 1969 in the Texas/Oklahoma “Blood & Guts” era. I was with the at Jhoon Rhee Institute Branch in Tulsa, OK in the Jhoon Rhee, Allen Steen, Pat Burleson linage being directly taught at when I started by Jhoon Rhee Black Belts Gran & Greg Moulder, Bob Olinghouse, and David Harrelson.

I started my first school (under Jhoon Rhee) in 1974 and, concurrently trained with Jeff Smith along with Roger Green (Joe Lewis’ first Black Belt), and a variety of others in Oklahoma and Texas.

In 1978 I received by Black Belt directly from Jhoon Rhee along with Jeff Smith and a wide collection of champion Kickboxers and forms competitors. I was offered a teaching position in Washington. I was a National Merit Scholar and A student and already was accepted for college at the University of Tulsa with a full scholarship for the first year and partial scholarship beyond the first year. I attended school there while applying for transfer to Princeton, Stanford, and Wharton along with Georgetown University.

While attended college at Georgetown University I was a head instructor and branch manager for The Jhoon Rhee Institute, in Washington, D.C.

At the time the Jhoon Rhee Institute was the #1 martial arts business organization in the world. I sat through hours and hours of training sessions and meetings with a few notable figures in the martial arts industry: Jhoon Rhee (father of American Tae Kwon Do,) Nick Cokinos (Then President of the Jhoon Rhee Institute, now chairman and owner of Educational Funding Company,) Jeff Smith (the DC Bomber – first World Light Heavy Weight Kickboxing Champion and one of the top school owner’s in the United States,) Ned Muffley (then General Manager for the Jhoon Rhee Institute and now General Manager for Educational Funding Company) and many other’s.

When I graduated from Georgetown – I decided against moving on to big corporate America – and, put pursuing an MBA on hold.

I put together a very extensive business plan with Jhoon Rhee, Nick Cokinos, Jeff Smith and Ned Muffley’s help. Spent 12 months studying direct response, business management, and sales marketing at the Library of Congres and the SBA. Read everything that I could get my hands on about advertising – specifically direct mail and copywriting. I also spend several months at the Federal Trade Commission where I had an opportunity to read the sales manuals and management training materials for every major health spa chain in the United States and the other larger martial arts school organizations.

In a rather gutsy move I then moved across the country to Denver, Colorado and with $10,000 opened 5 schools in 18 months – and grew to over 1,500 active students and over a $1,000,000 in revenue by 1985.

Over the year’s I’ve continued to develop my schools and experiment with a huge number approaches.

In 1989 I decided to extend my management knowledge base and went back to school for a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (ie. MBA) with a primary focus marketing.

At the same time I began promoting the Mile High Karate Classic – which for 10 years was a very successful and highly rated NASKA world tour event.

During these many year’s I’ve had the privilege of meeting and working with just about every successful business person, teacher, and school owner in the martial arts industry. I’m lucky to count as close friends a range of leaders including Nick Cokinos, Jhoon Rhee, Jeff Smith, Andrew Wood, Tim and Dave Kovar, Steve LaVallee, Keith Hafner and just about everyone who’s accomplished anything in our industry.

These industry leader’s have taught me much – and, I believe often consider me a mentor and leader in the business of martial arts school operations.

During these years I’ve had many huge successes – and, some spectacular failures. As in all endeavors – the failures have taught me much more than the successes. What I consider by greatest strength is a willingness to continue to take risks and try new approaches to all of the challenges of school operation.

In the recent past – I decided to pursue what I think of as an informal Ph.D. in Internet and Direct Response Marketing. I’ve traveled around North America – and spent way over $250,000 on a variety of internet marketing, direct marketing, and sales training seminars and programs – and, have developed several internet companies – many totally unrelated to martial arts.

I continue to run a chain of schools that’s spread out from Washington, D.C. where we have a national training center, to Denver to Fresno and Miami along with New Zealand and Australia.

I’ve written a series of books on Marketing and Management for Martial Arts Schools and a series on Character Development and Leadership for kids and lecture around the world on School operations – and, continue to expand my knowledge of all details or running a successful martial arts business.

I’ve been a part of NAPMA since prior to it’s founding, I developed it’s Maximum Impact Program, Inner Circle, and Peak Performers and took over as CEO and Publisher in 2007.

Grand Master Stephen Oliver – 8^th Degree Black Belt

• Academic Background– 1992 Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) University of Denver, Denver, Colorado
  – 1982 Bachelor’s Degree (AB.) With Honors Georgetown University. Washington, DC;
  – 1978-1980 University of Tulsa – two years, as a University Scholar, National Merit Scholar.
• Martial Arts Background
  Stephen Oliver began martial arts training in 1969 in Tulsa, Oklahoma with Bob Olinghouse and Gran Moulder – Black Belts teaching for the Jhoon Rhee Institute based In Washington, DC. He began actively teaching 1974 and founded his first school in 1975. In 1976 and 1978 he traveled to Washington, DC to train with Jeff Smith and others at the Jhoon Rhee Institute Headquarters, completing his Black Belt in 1978 t with one of the highest scores ever given on the Jhoon Rhee Black Belt Exam. In 1980, he moved to Washington, DC and worked first as a head instructor then as a branch manager for the Jhoon Rhee Institute while attending school at Georgetown University. He has continued to train and contribute to the Martial Arts and was promoted to 6^th Degree Black Belt in 1994 by Jhoon Rhee (Father of American Tae Kwon Do) and, then in 2001 was promoted to 7^th Degree Black Belt by former World Champion 9^th Degree Grand Master Jeff Smith and.. More recently he was promoted to 8^th Degree Black Belt by Jeff Smith. He has trained in Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, Goju, Judo, Escrima and several other styles of martial arts.
• Stephen Oliver’s Mile High Karate^®
  In 1983, Stephen Oliver moved to Denver, Colorado and founded Mile High Karate. He opened 5 locations in the first 18 months. In the many years since additional Mile High Karate locations have been opened throughout the world. (Mile High Karate is the #1 martial arts school for Character Development Education in the World.) and has promoted 1,000’s Black Belts ranging in age from 5 to 76.
• The Mile High Karate Classic and The North American Sport Karate Association
  In 1989, he began the Mile High Karate Classic international martial arts competition which merited the highest rating possible – NASKA’s World Tour designation from 1989 until 1999.. Through his work in Sport Karate, he has was appointed to the Board of Director’s for the North American Sport Karate Association and served on that Board and as that organization’s national sanction director from 1989 until 1999.
• International Speaking, Consulting and Writing
  Since opening Mile High Karate, Stephen Oliver has been a sought after consultant for marital arts schools internationally first as Board of Director’s member of Educational Funding Company (serving on that Board from inception until 2001) then as the lead developer of the NAPMA Squared program (currently “Maximum Impact”) for the National Association of Professional Martial Artists and the founder of the first high level coaching program for martial arts school owners. He has been recognized as the U.S. Martial Arts Association’s #1 multi-school operator. Additionally, he was recognized as one of the top 200 school operators by Andrews International and was inducted into the U.S. Martial Arts Association Hall of Fame in 2000. He has been featured on the Cover of “Martial Arts Business Magazine,” “Martial Arts Professional Magazine,” “The Eagle Express,” “the EFC All Stars,” and “Martial Arts Business” among others. He also served on the Entrepreneurship and Venture Management Board for the University of Denver
• National Association of Professional Martial Artists & Martial Arts Professional Magazine:
  He became the CEO and Chairman of the National Association of Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA.com) which he has had a consulting relationship with since prior to it’s founding in 1994. He has been a columnist for over 10 years for Martial Arts Professional Magazine which is distributed to 23,000 professionals in the Martial Arts Industry.    He became the publisher of Martial Arts Professional Magazine in 2007 (www.MartialArtsProfessional.com.) Additionally, he hosts “Bootcamps” and “Mini-Bootcamps” and, the “NAPMA Extreme Success Academy” and “Quantum Leap” Event for instructors and school owners throughout the world to teach them professional teaching and management skills for martial arts schools.
• Charity and Community Outreach
  Master Oliver and the staff and students of Mile High Karate have been very active in charitable activities and community outreach since 1983.   Mile High Karate has been the #1 contributing school to Chuck Norris’ Kick Drugs Out of American program, actively supports The Children’s Hospital Foundation, and has volunteered in 100’s of area schools while raising well over $100,000.00 annually for local Elementary Schools. Mile High Karate throughout the United States contributes to our Educational Foundation Outreach as well as “Fostering Leadership” Program.

The style we teach has evolved from ancient and traditional Korean styles that grew to be called Tang Soo Do in the early 1900’s. Won Kook Lee who taught the Chung Do Kwon system (Chung Do Kwon is an actual school in Seoul, Korea), was the original teacher of Jhoon Rhee, who became the first Korean instructor to professionally teach Korean Martial arts in the United States beginning in 1956.

When Jhoon Rhee first arrived in the United States, he referred to his style as Tang Soo Do and as karate (a Japanese term that means “empty Hand”). In 1957, the South Korean government at the urging of Choi Hong Hi adopted the term Tae Kwon Do to encompass all Korean styles of martial arts and gradually Jhoon Rhee and others in the United States incorporated that term to reference their art (officially Jhoon Rhee’s art was often referred to as Chung Do Kwan – Tae Kwon Do). Tae Kwon Do is loosely translated from Korean as way of breaking and smashing with hands and feet.

In the United States Jhoon Rhee first started teaching in Texas. His first two Black Belts were Allen Steen and Pat Burleson who went on to become early tournament champions and the premier instructors in the Texas-Oklahoma region. Many early students evolved from the Jhoon Rhee – Allen Steen/Pat Burleson schools in Texas including Pat Worley (who would become the #1 point fighting champion in the United States). Jeff Smith (who would become the #1 point fighting champion then evolve into the World Light- heavyweight full-contact champion). Larry Carnahan (who would become a highly rated lightweight full- contact fighter, then President of the North American Sport Karate Association), Gran Moulder and Bob Olinghouse (who would in 1969 become Stephen Oliver’s Instructors in Tulsa, Oklahoma).

Jhoon Rhee in 1962, moved to Washington, DC to establish The Jhoon Rhee Institute of Tae Kwon Do, which would become world famous as the #1 institute of its kind in the world. In the Mid-1960’s, Jhoon Rhee developed a friendship with Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris (both would later become internationally famous as actors.) Bruce Lee was an early innovator in modernizing martial arts instruction in order to become more effective in Self-Defense application as well as an advocate of high level athletic conditioning for martial arts. The Jhoon Rhee Internationals was one of the first major tournament events in the United States – and, became a hub for budding champions and famous martial artists such as Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Joe Lewis, Jeff Smith and many others.

Through Jhoon Rhee’s association with Bruce Lee and through the many sport and contact karate champions that developed at the Jhoon Rhee Institute, our style gradually evolved to what we now refer to as American Freestyle (others refer to similar arts as Jeet Kune Do.)

These early associations led the Jhoon Rhee Institute to flourish in the Washington. DC area and led Jhoon Rhee to develop a curriculum that combined three key and distinct elements:

3. Artistic content through martial ballet (musical forms).

In the early 1970’s. Jhoon Rhee developed padded sparring equipment that allowed students to practice without injuring on-another and concurrently added to the realism of practice (a joint goal with Bruce Lee), while creating a flourishing sport through both point tournaments and full-contact karate. Additionally, he invented musical forms to add to the beauty of martial arts performance.

Through the 1970’s, Jeff Smith became an internationally recognized and respected fighter and Instructor. Jhoon Rhee taught Mohammed Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and other world-famous boxers, and Jhoon Rhee students flourished on the international tournament scene. Jhoon Rhee’s schools gradually became more oriented towards teaching children and Jhoon Rhee rapidly saw the self development advantages of Tae Kwon Do instruction. The curriculum orientation evolved toward personal development with emphasis on educational excellence, community values, and personal excellence with practical self-defense and competition opportunities as a valuable by-product.   Jhoon Rhee since the late 50’s has taught many internationally respected and famous students including Tony Robbins (a Jhoon Rhee Black Belt,) George Allen, Jack Valenti, and many, many, many Senators and Congressmen.

Although Jhoon Rhee through his style: Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do, gradually abandoned the more traditional roots with the traditional hyungs or katas (Chonji through Chung Mu under Black Belt), Grand Master Oliver and Grand Master Smith at Mile High Karate have accelerated the personal development aspects of the program through implementing the nine qualities of Black Belt and many associated goal-setting and personal development aspects. Master Oliver continues to expand our curriculum to keep it “state of the art” and continues to implement new teaching techniques which accelerate a student’s progress while reinforcing the traditional philosophies of honesty, courtesy, integrity, perseverance and self-control. Additionally, at Leadership levels, Master Oliver has continued the Jeet Kune Do philosophy by adding Philippino weaponry, traditional Ko-Budo (traditional Okinawan weaponry), modern boxing, kick-boxing basics, and grappling curriculum from jujitsu and judo.

Unfortunately in our industry most of the really successful people are spending their time growing their staff, students, schools, and especially their net profit not sharing their secrets with you. I am different from most of those sharing information in a variety of VERY important ways that are important to you and will help you dramatically grow your school – and, your income.

Many of the “gurus” in our industry fall into one of the following categories:

Well – I opened my first school in 1975.   And, have been continuously operating my Mile High Karate schools in Denver since 1983.   Mile High Karate currently has successful locations throughout North America. I’ve operated a large school operation – have taught 1000’s and run every aspect of a school. And, can teach you step by step, item by item how to replicate my success – without the “brain damage!”

I began studying martial arts in 1969. Trained in Tae Kwon Do with the Jhoon Rhee Institute along side the likes of World Champions Jeff Smith, John Chung, Charlie Lee, and the most awesome stable of kickboxers ever assembled. More recently I was promoted to 8^th Degree Black Belt by Jeff Smith. Mile High Karate includes some of the top martial artists in the World from former World Champion Jeff Smith to the top people in the “Parker Kenpo” lineage, the top instructors in Kung Fu, Traditional Karate, Tae Kwon Do and, event Thai Kick-Boxing & BJJ.

Some of those who consult or run organizations or even “fake franchises” only run a martial arts school in their memory – in some case distant memory. Some of those recollections seem more like a distant dream (or, in some cases vivid nightmare!) Many of these people operated in very different circumstances and times.

I am still totally immersed in the daily operations of martial arts schools – up to doing 527 enrollment conferences in the past 3 years personally – nose to nose, belly to belly. Every Friday I meet (by phone & webinar) with our Regional Develoers from around the world. Every Wednesday I meet with our school owners, school managers and instructors – and, solve the everyday problems that you face in the real world (albeit at possibly a higher volume.)

Even those advise givers who really are Black Belts – and, run or have run schools – usually never ran a particularly successful operation.   Many got into offering advice about running a school or, put together an organization (license, association or other fake – often illegal – franchise) since they really couldn’t figure out how to make much of a living running a school or schools of their own.

Right now – several Mile High Karate schools will do over $500,000.00 in gross revenues (in some cases much more) we will add many more locations with owner-operators like you, and with regional developers who develop multiple schools in their protected region. I broke the $1,000,000.00 a year barrier – way back in 1985 – and continue to operate a hugely successful operation. I’ve made a six figure + personal income for over 26 years strictly from schools.

Often this comes in the guise of – gee I just started figuring this stuff out and had a great year last year.   What if you pay me to tell you about my short-term successes. I did $ (pick a number $100,000 net, $400,000 gross, etc., etc.) will do more this year – and, would love to show you how I did it.

Well – I’ve already covered this for you – but, let’s just say that there are many people who have a good year of two. Let’s see if they can weather the ups and downs of our industry – and, boom years and recession.

I think we’d both be able to draw upon a few examples of Magnetic Personalities – who’s personal success is exciting – but, really not something that could EVER be replicated in your operation.

I’ve run a large school operation since 1983. In that time nearly 100% of our teaching, marketing, and sales were accomplished by employees (or, now franchise school owner/operators) who had to implement my systems.   They are not dependent upon charisma or unstoppable energy. I have spent years studying operations and marketing – including formally achieving a Master’s in Business Administration – that included having a literal bevy of MBA’s and Ph.D.’s analyze the martial arts school business – to help me create powerful duplicatable systems for school operations.

Unfortunately the industry is full of dinosaurs and leaders of the past – who’s time has long since passed, but who’s friends and associates are unwilling to say “the emperor has no clothes.” Systems that may have been revolutionary in 1970 or 1980 (even 1990 and beyond) may be out of date or just plain insufficient in the current environment.

 How am I different?

In a variety of ways I continue to explore the “leading edge” of new technologies, teaching techniques, marketing strategies, and technological enhancements. I explore the latest approaches not only through my own school implementation but through an unmatched “master-mind” team of industry leaders that I network with and share ideas with constantly. The latest strategies and tools are immediately available to all of our franchisees.

You should only use ideas and system that have been PROVEN to work through extensive testing – in the real world of daily school operations. And, no short-term “fixes” only long-term success strategies.

Joe Corley, Pres, Joe Corley Karate| worked directly with Stephen at Martial Arts Professional Magazine

Larry Shealy, hired Stephen as a Publisher in 2007

Greg Moody, Owner, KarateBuilt L.L.C| worked with Stephen at Martial Arts Professional Magazine

Dave Kovar, CTO, Kovars Satori Academy | worked directly with Stephen at National Association of Professional Martial Artists

Ron Achenbach, hired Stephen as a Business Consultant in 2004

Mark Graden, Dir. of Martial Arts Curriculum/ Video producer, The National Association of Professional Martial Artists | reported to Stephen at National Association of Professional Martial Artists

James Theros, hired Stephen as a Business Consultant in 2003

Art Mason, Owner, Art Mason’s Peaceful Warriors’ Martial Arts Instituteworked directly with Stephen at National Association of Professional Martial Artists | hired Stephen as a Martial Arts in 2004

Greg Moody, Owner, Karate Built L.L.C worked directly with Stephen at Stephen Oliver – Master-Mind – Elite Coaching Program

Founder – CEO

Mile High Karate – Franchising

Shannon Staats, Sales, General Steelwas with another company when working with Stephen at Mile High Karate – Franchising

Jeremy Roadruck, Franchiese Owner, Centerville OH, Mile High Karatereported to Stephen at Mile High Karate – Franchising

“Stephen was my mentor in the late 80’s and helped me take a brand new martial art school and helped me enroll 180 students in 90 days and open 4 schools and gross over 1 million dollars in 18 months, and that was back when a million dollars was real money.:) Terry Bryan, President www.warriorwiz.com”

Terry Bryan, Owner, Any Offerworked with Stephen at Mile High Karate

Jeff Smith, National Director of Training, Mile High Karateworked directly with Stephen at Mile High Karate

Les Connard, Owner, Red Canvas LLC | was with another company when working with Stephen at Mile High Karate

Rob Tucker, hired Stephen as a Business Consultant in 1992, and hired Stephen more than once

Mark McGee, Franchise Owner, Mile High Karateworked directly with Stephen at Mile High Karate

Frank Brown, National Training Director, Mile High Karatereported to Stephen at Mile High Karate

David Dow, Owner, L.A. Budo Mile High Karate | was with another company when working with Stephen at Mile High Karate

Sascha Williams, Owner, Mile High Karateworked indirectly for Stephen at Mile High Karate

Gary Smith, Owner, Wells-Smith Partnerswas a consultant or contractor to Stephen at Mile High Karate

Promoter, National Sanction Director, Board Member

NASKA – National Sport Karate Association

Mike McCoy, CEO, Pro Kick Productionsworked directly with Stephen at NASKA – National Sport Karate Association

Note: His visit was covered by CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX Affiliates here in Denver and Interviews filmed at our martial arts school – with the school mentioned by name were aired city-wide. We also ended up on Entertainment Tonight and a host of radio shows. Additionally, we had so many people there that we had 14 Arvada, CO police men there directing the traffic!. Quite a PR accomplishment!

JEFF SMITH…AN OLD DOG AND STILL LEARN NEW TRICKS!!!”

Jeff Smith Retired PKA World Champion

Internationally Recognized School Operator

#1 Martial Arts School operator in the United States

EFC Hall of Fame – and, Board of Directors

Joe Corley American Karate SchoolsOwner –Founder PKAPromoter of the Battle of Atlanta