Hello, kickers!
🚀 The Kick is Here: Q4 Isn’t the Wind-Down—It’s the Power-Up
This week’s issue is your official reminder: Q4 is not the time to coast—it’s the time to double down. While most school owners slow their roll and hope for January momentum, you’re going to take a different path: one built on strategy, energy, and execution.
We’re giving you the full Q4 playbook: how to flip your mindset, take advantage of holiday momentum (from Halloween to Black Friday), retain more students by coaching the parent, and systemize everything before burnout catches up. It’s tactical. It’s timely. And it’s yours.
You’ll also find:
💥 Secure your IMPAKT Scottsdale Ticket (only a 9 seats left!)
📚 A book that will upgrade your communication instantly (Exactly What to Say)
📱 A scroll-stopping “What’s Kickin’ on Social” lineup of truth bombs and leadership reminders
Let’s finish strong—and set up a first quarter that doesn’t need a rescue mission.
📍 Final 9 Seats: IMPAKT Mastermind Live – Scottsdale
November 7–8, 2025 | Scottsdale, AZ
This is your last call to get in the room.
There are only 9 seats left for IMPAKT Mastermind Live – Scottsdale… and the discounted hotel rate disappears at the end of this week.
If you’re serious about scaling with clarity, leading with confidence, and finally building a business that runs on systems (not stress)—this is the event that will flip the switch.
🔥 Meet the Speakers:
💥 Mike Arce – If you don’t know Mike, you’re missing out. Marketing genius. Franchise-level insight. One of the smartest guys in the game. Period.
💥 Brady Edwards – Former MrBeast video director, now running a media empire of his own. He’s doing live content audits in the room. Think about what that could do for your brand presence.
💥 Brian Bogert – One of the most powerful speakers on emotional resilience and self-leadership. When Brian talks, the room goes silent—then something inside you clicks.
💥 Matthew Brenner – The community marketing beast. If you want to be the name in your town, Matt will give you the blueprint to dominate local schools, events, and partnerships.
🗓 Event Details:
📅 November 7–8, 2025
📍 Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains
🎟 Reserve Your Seat Now
🏨 Book Your Hotel Room
(Use the link—discounted rate ends this week!)
🚨 New to IMPAKT?
Email [email protected] or DM Nicole on Circle for your $1000 off code for first-time attendees.
This isn’t another seminar.
This is the room that makes things move.
Last 9 spots. Hotel deal ends this week.
Let’s go.
🎯 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.
The Kick’s pick of the hottest headlines in social this week:
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.
📚 What We’re Reading: Exactly What to Say by Phil M. Jones
Magic words that move people.
If you’ve ever struggled to explain your offer…
If you’ve felt stuck in a conversation with a parent, team member, or prospect…
Or if you just want to say the right thing, at the right time, more often—
This book will upgrade the way you lead, sell, and communicate.
Exactly What to Say is a short, powerful read loaded with what the author calls “magic words”—phrases that break resistance, open up conversations, and help people feel safe saying yes.
💬 Example phrases:
✅ “What do you know about…” (lowers defenses instantly)
✅ “I’m not sure if this is for you, but…” (creates curiosity and permission)
✅ “Most people…” (builds social proof with subtle authority)
💡 Key Takeaways for School Owners:
✅ Conversations drive conversions—learn how to guide them
✅ Your words can build trust or trigger resistance
✅ Great communicators are made, not born
📖 Grab your copy here: Exactly What to Say on Amazon
If you want your team, your intro process, or your enrollment conversations to hit differently—start here.
📬 Have Something That Is Kick Worthy?
We know our readers have great ideas, insights, and stories to share! If you’ve got something that’s "kick-worthy"—whether it’s a success story, a marketing tip, or something that’s helping your school thrive—submit it to us at [email protected]. Your content could be featured in an upcoming edition of The Kick and shared with martial arts school owners around the world!
🔥 That’s a Wrap for This Week!
Q4 doesn’t have to be slow, stressful, or reactive. When you lead with intention, leverage the holidays, and systemize your operations—you don’t just survive the end of the year, you set the tone for the next one.
Whether you're booking Halloween events, launching your holiday sale, or coaching parents into deeper retention—momentum isn’t found. It’s built.
If you need tools to move faster and scale smoother, check out this week’s feature on CORE OS (your done-for-you business operating system). We’ve also saw a powerful scroll-worthy “What’s Kickin’ on Social”, and a must-read book to sharpen your messaging: Exactly What to Say.
Finish loud. Finish strong.
And as always—stay sharp, stay relentless, and keep kicking forward. 👊🔥
