Where Leaders Go

Dawn has helped me a lot with my mind set the past two years. I opened my full time gym in November 2011. I charged £5 per class. In 8 years, we moved 3 times each time to bigger premises adding more and better equipment, and still charging £5. If I thought about putting my price up, I'd ask myself what if people can't afford it? If someone come from another club and said they were too expensive that would that reinforce the decision not to put them up. Because the club didn't earn much money, I had to do everything myself, even though I loved my job and would never change it when you’re in your 40s working 70+ hours per week for much less than minimum wage and no free time, no pension you start to lose motivation and I think that started to show in the classes. About 2 years ago Dawn beat me with a stick (metaphorically!) and changed my views around money. Since then, turnover & student numbers has tripled, I've got one full-time and one a part time coach working with me  I'm happy and motivated and I've even got the time to go to BJJ 4X week. This couldn't be done without increasing profit, getting strong processes and applying solid strategy. Since joining Brand Build Bulletproof my martial arts club has gone from strength to strength. It covers many aspects of your business, detects problem areas and helps you to be proactive. Dawn is a fantastic mentor, and she brings other experts to the group to teach you things. I recommend this to anyone running a martial club it's absolutely amazing. If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always got!

My first contact with Dawn was in the lockdown when all the craziness was going on and I found her such a positive influence on social media and I think she brought a lot of sensitivity and calmness to the situation. When she introduced Brand Built Bulletproof I knew it was for me. I love running my Full Time Academy up in the North East but I do think you can feel isolated at times doing this type of “job”. It’s great to be with a group of likeminded people in BBB and I now also actually enjoy getting my figures together through the month for the accountability side of the group.

Since I have started working with BBB I have been more focused on the progression of my club and its members. This is due entirely to the enthusiasm of the staff at MAGB, Dawn Willock in particular, whose drive and enthusiasm is infectious. I feel I am working with a good business partner that wants to share their successes with me and help my club grow.

I have been following Dawn's post on the MAGB group for a few years now.  There seemed to be a lot of martial art business support groups and mentors cropping up around that time too but what struck me with Dawn’s was she was talking about real life challenges that we all experience with running a business without the bullshit of promising you a quick fix. She also seemed to have empathy and compassion and really wants to help the martial arts community. Since then, I have reached out to Dawn with personal and business challenges, and she didn’t hesitate to jump on a call to talk things over.  She is honest and doesn’t mix her words.  So often it's us that gets in our way, and honesty from someone that cares is really what you want to hear at that time. Another thing that I would add about Dawn from one of our first chats is that she stated that she is no way a qualified psychologist but if I’m honest, after just a few minutes of talking to her, I was shocked by how she understood me and how she could relate to my own behaviours that were not serving my business. When Dawn started the Brand. Build. Bulletproof group I immediately jumped on board. Due to its very affordable subscription fees, it means the group is accessible for all, no matter what stage you are at in your martial arts business journey. There is plenty of content and ideas to implement from Dawn, with the right balance of not overwhelming people with too much stuff.  Something that we all suffer with when taking on new information. She really is a breath of fresh air amongst so many people jumping on the business mentoring train and I would highly recommend her if you wanted some clarity in why you are not where you want to be in business. The meet ups on zoom are a great aid and are normally centred around topics that are seasonal or topical at the moment. If there is one group that you want to help you to drive your business forward, then Brand. Build. Bulletproof is the one. Thank you, Dawn, for everything that you do.

I first heard of Dawn when the Covid crisis hit, and I joined her Facebook group. There were some days during that period when Dawn seemed to be the only person making any kind of sense - and I think I speak for most of the martial arts instructors that are on the group when I say that. I have found Dawn to be incredibly supportive, comforting, and highly skilled at what she does. Recently I saw another group that Dawn was starting - Brand, Build, Bulletproof I was immediately interested. I made an enquiry but didn’t join straight away - I was hesitant purely because I knew that Dawn would really make me feel uncomfortable - in a good way. Dawn has a remarkable ability to take you right out of your comfort zone - whether that is via her kindness, her praise, or even her honesty (if she thinks you’re being a bit useless she will let you know!) all this is done with extreme sensitivity and good humour of course. So far, the group has been everything I’ve needed and more. Dawns support, advice and encouragement and belief in us is outstanding and invaluable and I look forward to every session to see what it brings and what I can accomplish with her guidance.