Economy in your state

[wingchundo.girl]

The Michigan economy has been hit hard. Wondering how the economy in your state has affected your schools. So many people have left our state. Consequently we lost a number of students that had to go out of state to find work. And since we had a lot of families it hit our adult and children's programs. We are just beginning to replace those students now which is heartening.

For the first time, have to market more aggressively, when originally low cost marketing and referrals were our major source for students. What changes have you had to make?

Liz A

[rjrkihap]

Here in Oregon (Portland area) we've been hit hard. Class sizes are shrinking, new enrollment is down, as are school inquiries. I suppose the disposable income for Martial Arts is one of the first things to be reallocated. :(

Ron

[John Bennett]

In economic hard times that are coming, security and self-defense will be on of the few growth industries.

[TonyU]

By us and an affiliate school in RI has been the opposite. We've both have seen a growth through this economy.

[Jay Bell]

We were hit almost the worst as far as the housing market and foreclosures. If you listen to the news, all you ever hear is that spending and shopping are at an all-time low. Then you go to stores and it's shoulder to shoulder people. Shopping hasn't been touched here. If anything, it's increased.

[Scott Bolinger]

well, my area has been hit hard. I'm in a RR town and at this time over 500 people from there have been bumped or they have had a job that they done away with.


But the main thing i try and do is diversify.

one of the things I do every now and they is do a free self defense course. That usually drums up a little extra business. Some people come to just the one class, but some ended up being regular students.

then i also kick in a free plyometric seminar. This year i've done this once with the senior base ball team. And got a some free press to go along with that.