Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Meyer.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Gary. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I opened my first Dojo (karate studio) in Stoneham on April 1st 1991 (just as I was completing college). I had no real business skills or money. Just the desire to “be my own boss”. It’s been a long bumpy ride for the past 26 years, but I have certainly found my way! Elite Freestyle Karate currently has 4 Store front locations with # 5 being built out as I type (opening May 1st) in addition to 2 Pilot locations. We are currently located in Reading, Winchester, Bedford, Arlington, North Reading (May 1st), and Pilots in Concord. We currently have over 800 active students.
Making a difference in so many people’s lives has been a very rewarding career! I love what I do! I love providing opportunity for my staff (efk Family) to flourish and succeed, I wake up every morning excited to get to work!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a BUMPY road for sure! At one point I had a BILLING company steal all of the monthly tuition leaving me flat broke and almost having to close my doors. I was able to weather the storm and then through this devastating ordeal I met the man that became my mentor (Master Dusty Everson). He was a successful School owner down in NJ, who also had his tuition stolen. We were connected through this common issue, and it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me (businesswise). He took me under his wing, and coached me. That was the start of EFK heading down the path to success!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Elite Freestyle Karate – what should we know?
Elite Freestyle Karate Centers are full service martial arts facilities with ONLY Full time staff. None of our Instructors are part timers. They have all committed to making martial arts and teaching Life Skills a part of their lives and careers!
We specialize in Building Self-Esteem and confidence! Martial arts is about LIFE-SKILLS and PEOPLE SKILLS. Not just kicking and punching. Being able to protect yourself is important, but being able to avoid the situation or talk your way out of a physical confrontation is a valuable skill as well!
What sets us apart is our full time commitment to our community and families. We do not have “day Jobs” and then teach Karate in the evenings. We spend our days working on curriculum, drills, exercises, and never ending quest to improve our programs. We have the BEST TEAM and are always working on getting better!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Being able to “roll with the punches” is certainly one. Having a sense of humor and truly enjoying what I do! Believe it or not, I would never tell my children to do this….. But sometimes you just need to jump in the pool without testing the water. Ready….. Shoot…… Aim! Sounds crazy, but sometimes you need to just take chances!
Contact Info:
- Address: Locations: Reading, North Reading/Andover, Winchester, Bedford, Arlington, and Concord
- Website: www.elitefreestylekarate.com
- Phone: 781-942-9898
- Email: efkinfo@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EFKReading/
