Today we’d like to introduce you to Diane Reeve.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Diane. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After a number of years as a registered nurse, I began to feel the strain of patients, Dr.’s, staff, administration, etc. when someone suggested to me that martial arts was a great way to relieve stress.
I began my training in 1985 and came to love martial arts – and teaching- more than nursing. So, 10 years later, as a 3rd degree Black Belt, I opened Vision Martial Arts in Plano- ” Building Positive Life Skills Through Martial Arts”TM-and I have never looked back. After 22 years in business and now a 7th degree Black Belt, I have had the great privilege to influence thousands of people – young and old, from all walks of life, in a way that can be life-changing. Just caring about the people is how I have been successful and it doesn’t get any better than that.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t know anyone in business who has always had smooth sailing. There have certainly been struggles along the way and there still are.
By far, the biggest hurdle was getting past the economic downturn beginning in 2008. People had very little disposable income, fuel prices were high and that meant for some, training had to go. And coupled with a few personal issues, it was the roughest patch by far. But, perseverance is the hallmark of a Black Belt, and Vision Martial Arts not only survived, but has thrived in the years since.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Vision Martial Arts Center and The Action Self Defense story. Tell us more about the business.
Vision Martial Arts and The Action Self Defense are designed to teach real-world self-defense as well as life skills such as focus, confidence, integrity and much more. We are a family-centered Martial Arts school – training people ages 3-83! Our self-defense programs are tailor-made to each group of students- from Girls Scouts and women’s self-defense parties to corporate events for team building and safety.
At Vision, we are known for our experienced and caring instructors, flexible scheduling and opportunities to train and earn rank in a number of different styles.
We are most proud of our Black Belt students, who have gone on to successful careers of their own. We are also proud of our awards- Expertise.com lists us in the top 17 of 298 schools in the metroplex, and we earned Google’s 5-Star top rated Martial Arts school award as well as consistently being in the top 3-5 of the Dallas A-List.
Personally, I am most proud of my award from the National Association for the Improvement of Justice, as well as being inducted into the (Karate) Masters Hall of Fame and being the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame Female Master of the year for 2015.
What sets us apart is attention to individual needs of students and self-defense groups. Educators call it individuation. What that means is we don’t use a cookie cutter approach! That’s why we say’ “All Martial Arts Schools are Not Alike- SEE the difference at Vision”.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe that the harder you work, the luckier you are, and, to a great degree making the right choices. At Vision Martial Arts and The Action Self Defense, there have been countless times that I have been fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time. But, finally, the way I feel luckiest is that I have the privilege of getting paid to do what I love to do!
Contact Info:
- Address:3019 W. 15th Street
- Website: http://www.vmacplano.com or www.theactionselfdefense.com
- Phone:972-758-8622
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vmacplano
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/vmacplano
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/vision-martial-arts-center-plano
- Other: https://www.activityhero.com/biz/19274-vision-martial-arts-center-plano-tx
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