A close-up of a person's hands tying a black martial arts belt around the waist of a white gi.

Martial Arts Pro Shop: How to Start From Scratch

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What to Expect From This Guide to Starting a Martial Arts Pro Shop

This guide explains the key decisions and practical steps involved in starting a martial arts pro shop. The bullets below highlight selected areas, and the full article goes further.

Inside the guide, you will find:

  • Startup steps: Move from checking your fit and local demand through costs, setup, approvals, and pre-opening preparation.
  • Industry interviews: Read an interview and owner profiles from martial arts supply shops about stocking, special orders, and serving local schools.
  • Common questions: Find answers on inventory sizing, how much stock to buy, hiring timing, and labeling rules for apparel and youth gear.
  • Daily reality: See what a typical day involves, including the parts owners often enjoy and the parts they find hard.
  • Demand and inventory: Check local demand, compare supplier terms, and plan a core inventory before you place your first big order.
  • Costs and break-even: Plan startup costs and operating money, set pricing rules, and learn what to calculate to cover your costs.
  • Local requirements: Verify tax accounts, zoning, licenses, and restricted items, since requirements vary by location.

Begin by asking whether running a specialty gear shop fits your goals, your finances, and the people who share your home.

Starting a Martial Arts Gear Shop: What to Plan First

Overview of the Business

As a martial arts pro shop owner, you sell gear that students and competitors use for training and tournaments.

You can run the shop as a small storefront, an online shop, an event-vending setup, or a mix of all three.

You’re mainly selling items people need to start training, replace worn gear, or meet a school’s rules.

Some owners also support schools with bulk orders and special orders.

Common product categories include:

  • Uniforms and belts
  • Protective sparring gear
  • Training equipment like pads and bags
  • Accessories like bags, wraps, and patches

You can also offer simple services such as sizing help, special ordering, and school package bundles.

Your customers usually fall into a few groups:

  • Students
  • Parents buying for youth students
  • Instructors
  • Schools that need consistent supply for their members
  • Competitors preparing for tournaments

Is a Martial Arts Pro Shop a Good Fit for You?

This business fits you best when you’re ready to own every detail: licenses, inventory, payments, customer expectations, and cash flow.

Before you get excited about products and branding, start with you.

Is owning a business a good fit for you, and is this business a good fit?

For a grounded overview of what ownership asks of you, read these business start-up considerations first.

Passion doesn’t replace planning. It helps you keep solving problems when things get annoying or stressful.

To check your own staying power, revisit how passion affects your business.

Be honest about your motivation, too. Ask yourself, “Are you moving toward something or running away from something?”

If you’re starting mainly to escape a job you hate or financial stress, slow down.

Those reasons can push you into rushed choices and weak planning.

Here’s the reality check you need to hear:

  • Income can be uncertain at the start.
  • Hours can be long.
  • Some tasks will feel tedious.
  • Vacations often shrink.
  • Responsibility becomes total.

Your family or the people you live with will feel the impact too.

You also need enough funding to start and operate, not just to “open the doors.”

If you don’t have the skills yet, you can learn or hire help.

You can use professionals for accounting, business setup and registration, business plans, store design and layout, consulting, and corporate identity.

Talk to owners in the same line of work, but only owners you won’t compete against.

That usually means a different city, region, or market area.

For a helpful way to approach those conversations, use inside advice from real business owners as a guide.

Questions to ask non-competing owners:

  • What surprised you the most when you opened—especially inventory and cash flow?
  • What products caused the most sizing or exchange issues at the start?
  • What would you do differently before your first purchase order?
  • If you had to start over, would you go storefront, online, events, or a hybrid—and why?

A Day in the Life of Running a Martial Arts Pro Shop

Your day often centers on helping customers, handling inventory, and keeping your cash and records in order.

You greet customers, recommend gear, help with sizing, and process payments.

You also receive shipments, stock shelves, and count inventory.

Between customers, you track sales and expenses, and you reorder from vendors.

Hours often follow your customers. Evening and weekend shifts are common in retail.

Some owners staff the shop before evening classes. Others see last-minute shoppers before weekend tournaments.

Special-order waits vary by vendor. Owners report anything from a couple of days to a few weeks.

What owners often enjoy:

  • Serving as a local option for students and schools
  • Staying connected to the martial arts community

What owners often find hard:

  • Cash tied up in inventory you’ve paid for but haven’t sold
  • Keeping inventory counts accurate
  • Working evening and weekend hours

Does this daily rhythm fit the life you want?

Decide What You’re Building

Choose a business model you can support with your time and cash.

One person can start this type of shop, especially if you begin online or with a small local pickup setup.

A storefront can work too, but it usually increases startup costs and adds location approvals you can’t ignore.

A hybrid model (storefront plus online and events) can also raise complexity fast.

Decisions to make at this stage:

  • Will you start solo, with partners, or with outside investors?
  • Will you run it full-time or part-time while you get started?
  • Will you hire staff now or only after sales stabilize?
  • Will you sell only online, only in person, or both?

Get Clear on What You’ll Sell and What You Won’t

Define your product scope first.

Martial arts styles vary, and that changes what people expect you to stock.

You don’t need everything on day one, but you do need a clear “core” inventory plan.

Major suppliers’ catalogs show how broad the product categories can get, which helps you plan without guessing what exists.

Be careful with training “weapons” items. Rules vary by jurisdiction, and legality can change by state and locality.

Don’t order, display, or ship anything questionable until you verify what’s legal where you operate and where you ship.

If you sell youth items, pay attention to product safety and labeling.

If you import or private-label apparel, labeling rules matter even more.

Your safest path is to source from reputable suppliers and confirm the goods meet applicable requirements before you sell them.

Know Your Customers and the Local Training Scene

Your customers depend on the local training scene: which schools exist, which styles dominate, and what those schools require.

Don’t treat “martial arts” as one group.

Start validating by finding out what people near you actually train in, since that affects sizing, belt systems, glove types, and starter kits.

Validate Demand Before You Spend on Inventory

Validate demand before you place your first big order, because inventory ties up cash.

You’re not trying to prove that martial arts exists.

You’re trying to prove you can sell enough of the items your area needs, at a margin that leaves room for expenses.

Look at supply and demand in your area:

  • How many schools are nearby?
  • How many students do they serve?
  • Do schools already sell gear in-house?
  • Is there a dedicated retail option within a reasonable drive?

For a simple way to think about demand without getting lost in theory, review this supply-and-demand breakdown, which focuses on practical signals.

Validation actions that stay within startup scope:

  • List every local school and note the styles taught.
  • Identify which items are required for beginners versus advanced students.
  • Ask non-competing owners what sold fastest and what caused the most exchanges.
  • Check how local competitors position themselves (selection, convenience, speed, school relationships).

Try to spot what would make you meaningfully useful.

Options include convenience, reliable sizing help, fast special orders, school bulk ordering, and event vending. Pick a lane you can support.

Plan Your Supplier Approach

Your suppliers determine what you can sell, how reliably you can restock, and how much cash you need upfront.

Vendor requirements vary by company.

Supplier types commonly include direct-from-brand suppliers and authorized distributors.

Some general sporting goods wholesalers may carry limited martial arts items. Many specialty categories come from specialty suppliers.

What wholesale account setup often involves (varies by vendor):

  • Business entity details and contact information
  • Employer Identification Number (if requested)
  • Resale or sales tax documentation (state-specific)
  • Shipping address and billing details
  • Payment terms application (if offered)

Some of these documents come from steps later in this guide, including registration, your tax accounts, and resale paperwork.

Minimum order quantities and lead times can differ by vendor, product type, and whether items are customized.

Ask upfront, because these details affect your initial inventory plan and your opening timeline.

Key vendor selection criteria:

  • Style coverage that matches local demand
  • Sizing breadth and consistency
  • Defect handling and return terms
  • Backorder reliability and restock speed
  • Permissions and restrictions if you plan to sell online

Build a Startup Cost Plan and Working Capital Cushion

Build a startup cost plan that covers your opening costs and the operating money you need until sales settle in.

Retail startups can fail before they begin because owners underestimate how much cash gets trapped in inventory and setup.

The Small Business Administration has a clear way to structure startup cost categories.

Use it as your base, then tailor it to your shop’s model and channel choices.

For a practical framework to estimate your numbers without guessing, use this startup cost estimating guide, then plug in your real quotes.

Startup cost categories and key drivers:

  • Inventory: size range, style variety, depth per size, vendor minimums, shipping costs
  • Space: deposits, buildout, fixtures, location condition (if storefront)
  • Fixtures and security: shelving, racks, locking cases, cameras
  • Point of sale tools: hardware, software, barcode tools, receipt printing
  • Licenses and permits: varies by jurisdiction
  • Insurance: varies based on employees, location, coverage choices
  • Brand and marketing: signage, website setup, product photos
  • Shipping (if online): packaging supplies, labels, returns handling

Operating capital is the cash that keeps the shop running while sales build.

List your one-time costs and your monthly costs separately.

The SBA suggests counting at least one year of monthly expenses.

Adding both lists shows how much capital you need and when you need it.

Inventory is often the largest investment a retail owner makes.

You pay for stock before you sell it, so slow-moving items hold cash you may need for rent and vendors.

Payment processors and carriers post fee schedules you can use as inputs.

Square’s schedule lists a per-transaction fee for in-person card payments.

The United States Postal Service’s schedule lists starting prices for Priority Mail.

Use these schedules to model your own scenarios. Treat them as inputs, not guaranteed costs for your situation.

Choose a Business Structure and Register It

Your legal structure affects liability, taxes, and how you set up accounts.

Many owners compare a sole proprietorship, limited liability company, and corporation.

The Small Business Administration explains these structures at a high level, which helps you ask better questions before you file anything.

A pro shop holds inventory and fixtures, and it sells protective gear.

The SBA notes that a sole proprietorship doesn’t separate your personal assets from business debts and obligations.

The SBA describes limited liability companies and corporations as structures that can limit that personal exposure.

Settle your structure before you sign a lease or vendor agreements.

Changing structures later can carry restrictions and tax consequences.

Ask an accountant or business attorney which structure fits your inventory, financing, and any employees you plan to hire.

Registering is a state process in most cases.

Your Secretary of State (or the state’s business filing agency) is where you verify forms, fees, and naming rules.

For step-by-step help focused on startup setup, use this business registration guide to organize your actions.

If paperwork makes your head spin, that’s normal.

Using an accountant or business attorney isn’t cheating. It reduces risk.

Tip for forms: Some applications ask for an industry code.

A common classification for this type of retail is NAICS 459110 (Sporting Goods Retailers).

Use the code that best matches how you will operate and what you will primarily sell.

Lock Down Your Business Name and Basic Brand Assets

Your name needs to be available, usable, and easy to say out loud.

It also needs to work as a domain and social handle.

If you choose a name that’s already taken, you can waste weeks rebuilding your brand later.

Keep it simple. Avoid names that lock you into one narrow style unless that’s truly your plan.

To choose and confirm a name, use this business naming guide while you do your availability checks.

Also decide how far you want to go on brand protection.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office provides tools to search trademarks and explains how to apply online.

If you’re unsure, a trademark attorney can help you avoid conflicts.

Get Your Tax Accounts Ready Before Your First Sale

Set up the tax IDs and accounts that apply to your setup before you sell anything.

At the federal level, many businesses get an Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service.

The IRS application is free, so avoid websites that charge a fee.

The Small Business Administration also outlines how federal and state tax IDs fit into opening steps.

At the state level, retail often triggers sales and use tax requirements.

The details vary by jurisdiction, so verify through your state’s Department of Revenue or Taxation portal.

Common setup items to verify locally (varies by jurisdiction):

  • Sales and use tax permit or registration
  • Resale documentation rules for buying inventory for resale
  • Employer withholding and unemployment accounts (if hiring)

If you plan to hire in the first 90 days, confirm what employer registrations must happen before the first paycheck.

Use your state labor agency and tax agency portals for the official steps.

Pick a Location and Confirm Local Rules

Your location choice is not just a rent decision.

It can change your permit needs, your insurance needs, and your timeline.

You may choose a storefront, home-based setup with pickup, online-only, or events.

Each path triggers different local rules, especially zoning.

The Small Business Administration recommends confirming a location conforms to local zoning requirements. That step isn’t optional.

For help thinking through the location decision, use this business location guide to weigh tradeoffs like customer access, storage space, and approvals.

Local items to verify (varies by jurisdiction):

  • Whether retail use is allowed at the address (zoning)
  • Whether a home-based setup is allowed (home occupation rules)
  • Whether a Certificate of Occupancy or inspection is required for retail use
  • Exterior signage rules and sign permits

Don’t guess.

Use your city or county planning and zoning portal, or call the planning department and ask for the exact steps for your address.

Apply for Licenses and Permits That Match Your Setup

Your licenses and permits depend on your location and your activities.

The Small Business Administration provides an overview of how to approach licenses and permits.

Your local government portals are where you confirm what is required for your address and business type.

Common items to check (varies by jurisdiction):

  • General business license or local registration
  • Sales tax registration (state)
  • Temporary vendor permits for event selling (if you vend at tournaments)
  • Sign permits (if installing exterior signage)

Not typically applicable: wastewater or stormwater permits are usually not part of a standard retail setup.

Three quick questions that help agencies guide you:

  • Are you storefront, home-based, event vending, or online-only?
  • Will you have employees within the first 90 days?
  • Will you stock or ship training “weapons” items?

Set Up Banking, Basic Bookkeeping, and Payment Acceptance

Set up your banking and bookkeeping before you open.

Open a business bank account and keep business transactions separate from personal spending.

The Small Business Administration explains what documents are commonly needed when opening a business bank account.

Next, choose how you will accept payment.

You might use a traditional merchant account, a payment processor, or both, depending on your sales channels.

If you accept card payments, plan for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard requirements.

The PCI Security Standards Council publishes merchant guidance that applies broadly, even if your processor handles much of the technical side.

What you should have in place before you accept payment:

  • Business bank account and account ownership documents
  • Point of sale setup (in-store or online)
  • Tax settings for your jurisdiction (verified)
  • Refund and exchange process tested
  • Basic recordkeeping plan (software or an accountant-supported system)

Handle Insurance and Basic Risk Planning

Insurance is both a legal question and a risk question.

Separate the two so you don’t confuse “required” with “smart to have.”

The Small Business Administration outlines common business insurance types and notes that requirements can vary.

Legally required coverage (varies by jurisdiction):

  • Employee-related coverage requirements if you hire (commonly tied to workers’ compensation rules and state programs)

Commonly recommended coverage for retail:

  • General liability coverage
  • Commercial property coverage (for inventory, fixtures, and equipment)
  • Product-related liability coverage considerations (especially for protective gear)

Also plan for retail shrink, which is a known issue for retailers.

Loss control isn’t a “later” problem. Build basic controls into your setup from day one.

For a clear breakdown of coverage types, use this business insurance guide.

Then confirm your needs with an insurance agent who understands retail.

Set Up Your Space, Tools, and Inventory System

Your goal is to receive inventory cleanly, store it securely, price it consistently, and sell it through a system that tracks what you have.

Even if you start online or from home, you still need organized storage, labeling, and secure handling for higher-value items.

Essential equipment to open (grouped by category):

  • Retail space and fixtures: checkout counter, shelving or racks, slatwall or pegboard, locking display cases, fitting area basics (mirror and bench), signage holders
  • Point of sale tools: point of sale device, receipt printer, barcode scanner, cash drawer (if accepting cash), label printer, secure network equipment
  • Payments: card reader, backup acceptance method
  • Receiving and storage: work surface, storage shelving, bins/totes for small items, hand truck/dolly, inventory count tools
  • Security and loss control: video surveillance, locking storage for higher-value items, door chime, anti-theft tags (optional)
  • Online and shipping (if applicable): shipping scale, label printer, packaging supplies, photo setup for products
  • Customer and safety basics: posted return/exchange policy, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher (often required by local code; verify)

Build your store layout around how people shop.

Group items by use (beginner basics, protective gear, training tools) and by style where it makes sense.

Keep storage logical so receiving and counting doesn’t turn into chaos.

Create Simple Pricing Rules You Can Defend

Pricing is not guesswork.

It’s a set of rules you choose, and then you stick to them unless your inputs change.

Common pricing methods in retail include:

  • Cost-based markup
  • Competitive pricing (checking similar items locally and online)
  • Following a manufacturer suggested retail price when vendors provide it

Some owners also use tiered pricing so there are entry, mid-range, and premium options.

What affects pricing:

  • Landed cost (unit cost plus shipping and handling)
  • Payment processing costs
  • Online shipping and returns costs (if selling online)
  • Vendor rules about advertised pricing (varies by vendor)
  • Exchange rates and size/variant differences (some sizes can cost more)

Before you set prices, verify your vendor terms, online resale permissions if applicable, and your sales tax collection rules.

For a plain-English framework for pricing choices, use this pricing guide to build your own pricing rules.

Calculate Your Break-Even Point

Your break-even point is the sales level where total costs equal total revenue.

At that level, you neither lose money nor make a profit.

Calculate your break-even point with your own local numbers before you commit to inventory, a lease, or hiring.

Fixed costs stay the same no matter how much you sell.

Examples include rent, salaries, property taxes, insurance, and loan interest.

Variable costs rise with each item you sell.

For this shop, they include the landed cost of each item, payment processing, and online shipping and returns.

Some costs mix both types, such as phone service or repairs.

Split them into fixed and variable parts when you can.

The SBA’s formula is: fixed costs ÷ (price − variable cost per unit) = break-even point in units.

You sell many items, so run the math for each product line, such as uniforms or sparring gear.

You can also add up your monthly totals across all products.

A free business counselor through the SBA’s local assistance network, such as a Small Business Development Center, can review your calculation.

Test your result with these questions:

  • Could local schools and students realistically produce that many sales?
  • Could you cover fixed costs if your first sales come in uneven?
  • How much do payment fees, shipping, and returns reduce what’s left after each sale?

If the numbers don’t work, adjust your model or choose a different idea before you spend.

Plan Funding Options Without Overcomplicating It

Your funding needs depend on your model.

An online-first shop may need less capital. A storefront with deep inventory may need more.

Compare your funding plan against your startup cost plan before you place a big inventory order or sign a lease.

Common funding paths include savings, partner investment, and loans or lines of credit through a bank or lender.

Document the terms of any partner investment.

The Small Business Administration also describes loan programs such as Microloans and 7(a) loans, which can be worth exploring depending on your eligibility and needs.

Ask each lender or investor what documents they require before you apply.

Start drafting your business plan while you complete the earlier sections. The Business Plan section below pulls the pieces together.

If you plan to borrow, don’t wing it.

Build a simple budget and tie the loan to clear uses, such as inventory, fixtures, and buildout.

Make sure you can handle payments even if your first sales come in uneven.

For structured help, work with an accountant or lender before you apply.

Build Your Online Presence and Opening Basics

Even if you open a storefront, most people check out your business online first.

Lock down your domain and matching social handles before your site is finished.

At minimum, you need a clean home page, basic product categories, hours (if applicable), and a clear way to contact you.

If you sell online, you also need checkout, shipping settings, and returns information that matches what you can support.

For practical step-by-step help, use this website building guide to get your basics live without overbuilding.

Brand assets you’ll need before opening:

  • Logo files and basic brand colors
  • Simple product category structure that matches your point of sale setup
  • Store signage files (if storefront)
  • Product photos that clearly show sizing and features (especially protective gear)

Plan Your Pre-Opening Week and a Practice Run

Plan a practice run before you open, and give pre-opening work more time than you expect.

Most people underestimate the time this stage takes.

You’ll be juggling several tasks at once:

  • Vendor onboarding
  • Purchase orders
  • Receiving plans
  • Labeling
  • Tax setup
  • Payment testing
  • Location approvals

Typical pre-opening and first-month responsibilities include:

  • Receiving shipments
  • Entering products into your point of sale system
  • Organizing storage and setting pricing
  • Handling exchanges and returns

If you plan to support schools, you may also set up bulk ordering workflows and invoice templates.

Here’s a simple pre-opening day snapshot to help you judge fit:

  • Morning: handle business registration or tax account tasks; respond to vendor requests for documentation
  • Midday: finalize the initial product list and sizes; place purchase orders; plan receiving and storage zones
  • Afternoon: configure point of sale items, tax settings, and payment acceptance; test sale and refund flows
  • End of day: review local approvals, inspections, and any remaining permit steps; adjust your opening timeline

In your practice run, test a real transaction, a refund, and an exchange.

Do a small inventory count to make sure your system matches reality.

Decide how customers will first find you.

That usually means local visibility, school relationships, and clear online listings.

If you plan to sell at tournaments, confirm vendor rules and permits before you commit.

Business Plan

Your business plan pulls your costs, funding, pricing, and break-even numbers into one practical document.

Draft it as you complete the earlier sections.

Finish it once your costs, funding, pricing, and break-even inputs are in place.

The SBA describes two common formats: traditional and lean startup.

Traditional plans are detailed, and lenders and investors commonly request them. Lean plans summarize only the key elements.

Some lenders and investors may ask for more than a lean plan.

Ask each one which documents they require before you apply.

Your plan should connect these pieces:

  • Your business model and sales channels (storefront, online, events)
  • Local demand and school relationships
  • Product scope and supplier terms
  • Startup costs and operating capital
  • Pricing rules and your break-even calculation
  • Funding sources and what the money will cover
  • Legal setup, local approvals, and insurance

Include your plan for slow months and uneven early sales.

If you choose a traditional format, the SBA suggests quarterly or monthly projections for your first year.

For a walkthrough of the format, use this business plan guide.

Opening-Day Red Flags

Some problems are easier to fix before you open than after.

Treat these red flags as “pause and verify” moments.

  • You can’t legally stock or ship certain training “weapons” items in your jurisdiction.
  • You can’t secure reliable wholesale sources with clear terms and reasonable lead times.
  • Your location can’t pass zoning or occupancy requirements for retail use.
  • Your initial inventory plan is too broad across sizes and styles without proven local demand.
  • You have no basic loss-control plan even though shrink is a known retail issue.

Restricted items, missing wholesale sources, and a broad inventory plan may mean you should change your model, not just pause.

If any of these show up, don’t panic.

Verify, adjust, and delay opening until the risk is under control.

Pre-Opening Checklist

Before you open your martial arts pro shop, make sure nothing critical is still being figured out.

You want approvals done, equipment working, inventory counted, and payment acceptance tested.

Use this checklist as a final scan:

  • Business setup: entity filed (if applicable), name finalized, required registrations completed
  • Tax setup: Employer Identification Number obtained if needed, state tax accounts ready (sales and use tax, employer accounts if hiring)
  • Local approvals: business license and any required permits approved; zoning confirmed; Certificate of Occupancy or inspections completed if required
  • Insurance: legally required employee-related coverage confirmed (if hiring); recommended retail coverages bound
  • Banking and payments: business bank account open; payment processor live; point of sale tested for sale, refund, and exchange
  • Suppliers and inventory: wholesale accounts approved; initial inventory received, counted, and entered into the system
  • Store and tools: fixtures installed; security active; labels and signage ready; storage organized
  • Online setup (if applicable): website live; checkout tested; shipping workflow ready; returns process written and realistic
  • Policies and forms: returns/exchanges policy posted; basic invoice and special-order process ready
  • Soft opening: practice run completed; limited opening plan set (hours, initial selection focus, feedback plan)

If you get stuck on a legal or registration step, don’t guess.

Use your Secretary of State, your state tax agency, and your city or county licensing and planning portals for the official answers.

If you want support, bring in a professional to help you do it correctly the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I plan sizing so I don’t tie up cash in slow inventory?

Build your first order around the most common sizes and a tight range of styles.

Use special orders to cover edge cases.

Track which sizes schools enroll most often, and avoid buying every variation before you have proof it sells.

How do I decide how much starting inventory to buy?

Start with your expected sales, then work backward to the inventory you need to support them.

Retailers call this method open-to-buy.

Open-to-buy shows how much cash you can still spend on stock without overbuying.

When should I hire my first employee?

Hire when one person can no longer handle your opening hours, receiving workload, or event schedule reliably.

Before hiring, verify your state’s employer registrations and any required employee-related insurance rules.

Which federal labeling and safety rules can apply to uniforms and youth gear?

Several federal rules can apply, depending on what you sell.

Textile labels can need fiber content, a manufacturer or marketer name, and country of origin.

Care labels apply to manufacturers and importers of apparel, so they matter if you import items.

Children’s products must carry tracking labels on the product and packaging when practicable, and other children’s product rules may apply.

Source from reputable suppliers, then confirm what applies to your products with the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Federal Trade Commission.

Interviews and Owner Stories

These pieces let you hear how martial arts supply owners describe their stores.

Each piece reflects one owner’s market, and two are older local reports, so check rules and details where you live.

Doug Lee, Owner of Kinji San Martial Arts Supplies

Doug Lee runs the Brooklyn martial arts supply shop his parents started. In this WNYC interview, he explains why he keeps the store.

The interview helps if you’re weighing a storefront against online and school wholesale sales.

Read the Interview

Robert Burton, Owner of Mansfield Shotokan Karate

Robert Burton teaches karate and opened a small pro shop inside his school. This local news profile quotes him on why he added it.

He describes supplying other schools and waiting on some belt orders. The profile helps if you’re considering a pro shop tied to a school.

Read the Profile

Vaughn Frye, Owner of A Place Called Nam

Vaughn Frye opened a small, community-based martial arts supply store after retiring. This local newspaper profile quotes him on why.

The profile covers special orders and a twice-monthly club held at the store, which helps if you want a community-focused shop.

Read the Profile

Sources: