🎯 Q4 Momentum: Finish the Year Like a CEO, Not a Bystander

Your best quarter isn’t behind you—it’s right in front of you.

It’s the end of Q3.
Most school owners are either distracted… discouraged… or telling themselves the same old lie:

“Q4 is always slow.”

But here’s the truth:
Q4 is only slow for people who expect it to be.

This is the quarter that sets up your momentum for next year—or your excuses.
And the ones who win?
They lead with strategy, not stress.

Here’s your 4-part game plan to finish 2025 strong and build massive momentum into January:

🧠 1. Upgrade Your Mindset

Q4 isn’t slow—it’s stacked.

While others are coasting, you’re pushing. Why? Because:

• Parents are reevaluating where they spend their time and money

• Spending spikes (credit card apps jump nearly 200%)—so why not spend with you?

• Families crave structure before, during, and after the holidays

• You can build momentum now that carries directly into January

Let everyone else coast.
You’re building a runway.

🎃 2. Take Advantage of the Holidays

The calendar is loaded. Use it.

Q4 gives you built-in excuses to sell, celebrate, and serve. Here’s how to make the most of it:

👻 Halloween (October)

• Trunk-or-Treat → Host your own and show up strong at community trunk-or-treat events

• Spirit Halloween Booths → Offer 2 weeks free + t-shirt for shoppers

• Kick-or-Treat Bags → Referral candy bags with trial passes for students to hand out at school, parties, or to family

• Preview Classes During Events → Book trials on site during your events

🎯 Goal: Generate 500+ leads and stack trials into November.

🦃 Thanksgiving

• Launch a Gratitude Campaign → “We’re thankful for your family—here’s something special…”

• Host Bring-A-Buddy Classes → Themed sessions with surprise bonuses

• Run a Referral Push framed as giving families the gift of confidence

🛍️ Black Friday & Holiday Sales

• Offer gift cards with bonus value (e.g. Buy $100, get $125)

• Launch holiday merch + gear bundles

• Pre-sell summer camp and private lesson packs at early-bird or discounted rates

• Create a gift table with Christmas-exclusive gear, limited apparel, and ready-to-go branded bundles

🎯 Goal: Generate Q4 revenue and lock in Q1 retention.

🤝 3. Focus on Retention (Coach the Parent)

If you want to keep students through the chaos of the holidays, you must coach the parent—not just the child.

Here’s how:

✅ Greet and update parents before and after class
✅ Send “orphan texts” to drop-off parents with quick wins and photos
✅ Make quarterly courtesy calls to show progress and say thank you
✅ Run Life Skill Workshops that engage both parents and students
✅ Highlight visible progress every class—and speak it out loud

If parents feel seen and included, they stay.
If they feel ignored, they drift.

⚙️ 4. Stop Guessing. Start Systemizing.

Most Q4 breakdowns aren’t motivation problems. They’re system problems.

Let’s call it out:

• No follow-up = cold leads

• No plan = last-minute chaos

• No structure = team confusion

• No communication = drop-offs

• No support = owner burnout

That’s why we built CORE OS—your complete operating system for scaling a martial arts school with confidence.

Inside CORE OS, you’ll get:
✅ Lead follow-up SOPs
✅ Event marketing kits + booth playbooks
✅ Holiday sale campaigns + ready-to-launch assets
✅ Retention and onboarding frameworks
✅ Instructor training, sales scripts, and growth dashboards

🎯 Join CORE OS here
Everything you need to execute Q4 at a high level—without burning out or guessing.

✅ Final Word

You can treat Q4 like a finish line.
Or you can treat it like a launchpad.

One mindset leads to January scrambling.
The other leads to unstoppable momentum.

Lead with belief.
Execute with urgency.
And finish the year like you actually want to grow.

This week’s scroll was a masterclass in leadership, culture, service, and self-belief. Here’s what stood out:

💬 Dave Kovar
"Today, strive to be a positive memory in the lives of others."
Simple. Powerful. Lead in a way that someone remembers—even if it’s just for one moment.
👉 Watch it here

🥋 Jadi Tention
"The true power of an instructor lies in turning a student’s doubt into certainty, and their hesitation into mastery."
This one hit deep. The job isn’t just teaching moves—it’s transforming belief.
👉 Watch it here

🏢 Simon Sinek
"So goes the leader, so goes the culture. So goes the culture, so goes the company."
If your culture is off, look in the mirror. Leadership drives everything.
👉 Watch it here

💰 Dan Martell
The fastest way to become a millionaire?
This one’s a tactical breakdown, not just hype. Watch it, then rewatch it.
👉 Watch it here

💛 Shelly Debin Toland
"Be the reason someone feels welcomed, seen, heard, valued, loved, and supported."
A reminder that small actions create lasting culture.
👉 Watch it here

🧠 This week’s takeaway:
Lead with intention.
Speak with purpose.
And never forget—the way you show up creates ripples far beyond the mat.

😂 Martial Memes

These memes hit home for all of us martial artists and gave us a good chuckle. Click on the image to view the original account that posted each meme. Enjoy!

Have a MEME that you want featured? Send them to us at [email protected] or tag our instagram account @thekicknewsletter.