Karate Hobby Makes Mom a Millionaire
July 17, 2009 | Comments Off
Dawn Barnes, a former ballerina and stunt women, never knew she would find a passion which would fuel her creation of a multi-million dollar company when she took her kids to a karate class one day in 1984. Intrigued by the physical and spiritual aspects of martial arts, she ended up signing up for classes and in four years received her first-degree black belt. She decided to become an instructor which provided her the skills and experience to open her own karate studio.
In 1995 she opened her first Dawn Barnes Karate Kids studio in Santa Monica, CA. Her Karate Kids mission was “To inspire self esteem in every child!” What made her Karate school different was a “love-based” approach to teaching rather that a “fear-based” approach. The decor of her studio was also unique. She decorated it in soft earth-tone colors and leather furniture. Most karate studios were outfitted with fluorescent lighting and folding chairs.
From the time she opened her doors, it only took her 6 months to turn a profit and she was able to hire an additional instructor and a desk attendant to help her with the business. In order to open a second location Dawn found a partner (her future husband) who was good with numbers so she could focus on the creative aspects of the business. Today they have 7 locations open in southern California and they also choose to license their company.
In 2006, their revenue reached $3 million and business is still growing.
Dawn has also ventured out from teaching karate to writing a series of childrens books called “Black Belt Club” which she published in 2005 and has since sold over 200,000 copies. Dawn has also written instructors manuals and produced DVDs for karate teachers.
