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“You’ve helped us grow a lot in just a couple of months.” — Craig Reid

The Hidden Ceiling

Craig Reid had already won.

For over two decades, he ran a successful kickboxing school in Dunfermline, Scotland. Over 400 students. A strong local reputation. Loyal team. Community impact.

But then he hit the plateau — that invisible ceiling every growth-minded school owner eventually feels.

Not because the passion was gone. Not because the team wasn’t talented.

Because the systems weren’t built to scale.

And like many seasoned owners, Craig didn’t jump at the idea of “more structure.”

In fact, the very idea of scripts, SOPs, and metrics felt like it might strangle the freedom he and his team valued.

The Breakthrough Realization

What Craig came to understand—and what most school owners eventually realize—is this:

Structure doesn’t kill freedom. It creates it.

Once he partnered with 7 Figure Dojo, everything changed.

We didn’t just layer on systems. We aligned the mission. We clarified values. We built a team-first culture that scaled with his school, not against it.

The result?

415 students turned into 460+. And the team felt more aligned, not more restricted.

What We Did (And What You Should Too)

1. Rebuilt Team Communication from the Ground Up
Most school owners underestimate how much poor communication kills growth. We helped Craig create a system of clear, repeatable rhythms for meetings, feedback, and performance reviews.

2. Implemented Scripts, Systems, and SOPs
This wasn’t about turning the team into robots. It was about removing guesswork so everyone could operate at their best, consistently.

3. Defined the Core Mission and Market Position
Craig realized his school wasn’t a “fight club” — it was a family martial arts club. That distinction clarified the messaging, the culture, and the retention strategy.

4. Trained Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness
Scaling isn’t just tactics. It’s leadership. Craig leaned into growing as a leader, and brought that mindset to his team.

5. Prioritized Mentorship Over DIY
“Every big leap has come from investing in mentorship.” Craig didn’t try to figure it all out alone. That decision shaved years off his growth curve.

Real Numbers. Real Growth.

In just a few months:

  • Student count grew from 415 to 460+
  • Team alignment and morale hit new highs
  • Systems were in place to scale further without chaos

This wasn’t luck. It was intentional scale.

Craig said it best:

“Structure used to feel like the enemy—but it’s actually the path to freedom.”

Takeaways for Your School

Want to scale without burning out? Here’s what Craig’s story teaches:

  • Don’t fear structure. Done right, it unlocks your freedom.
  • Define who you are. Family club or competition dojo? Know your niche.
  • Build your team. Communication, clarity, culture.
  • Invest in mentorship. Big leaps don’t come from trial and error.
  • Embrace systems. SOPs, scripts, playbooks — they’re not chains, they’re keys.

Ready for Your Breakthrough?

Craig didn’t settle for the plateau. He broke through it.

If you’re ready to scale without chaos and build a business that serves your mission and your lifestyle…

Book a Free Strategy Call with 7 Figure Dojo today.

Let’s build your next growth spurt—with structure that sets you free.

Book Your Call here

author avatar
Jennifer Waters
At 7 Figure Dojo, our mission is to help service-driven businesses grow sustainably—without losing the heart of why they started in the first place. We specialize in helping founders who want to make an impact through what they offer: whether that’s martial arts, tutoring, fitness, or any other business built on real relationships and real results.

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