If you ever visit our kwoon (studio), you may notice a few things. There is no reception counter. The sales display looks more like artwork than a retail setup. And where's the computer? Why isn't the phone ringing?

Many people say it feels more like a living room than a waiting room. Well, actually, that's the idea. We don't want you to feel like you're visiting a business. We want you to feel like you're visiting a sacred place of training. When you walk in, you should immediately feel a sense of calmness and peace.

You see, this is a virtual business. Walk into the office at the kwoon and all you will see is a simple desk, a small file cabinet and some merchandise. You won't see post-its stuck all over the wall. You won't see binders stacked up to the ceiling. You won't even see a computer there.

I am typing this up on my PC at home. Yet, while our business uses the latest technologies to operate, your interaction with us is limited to just one or two sheets of paper. And those don't even stay at the kwoon overnight. Everything happens at my home office.

Why this matters to you, the student

This matters to you because it keeps me focused on my most important job - teaching you. When I walk into the kwoon, the only thing in my hand might be a gi (uniform) and a water bottle. The only thing on my mind is that night's lesson plans.

For you, it may be unnoticeable, but it does make a difference. I am not running over to answer the phone. I'm not splitting my time between teaching you and giving people tours of the school. I'm not having to attend to the cash register while you are sparring unsupervised. I'm just there to teach.

Periodically, when  you do need to buy gear, you fill out an order form - which takes but 10 seconds - sign it to charge to your account, come upstairs to pick up your merchandise before or after class and you're on your way. Simple.

I challenge you to find another martial arts studio anywhere that runs business as virtually as we do ours. We believe that the longevity of the school is based on the success of our students. We don't view students simply as more people to buy merchandise and pay test fees. In fact, any martial arts school that operates with that premise might as well be a martial arts supply store.

We are proud of the way we operate because it proves that a martial arts school can be successful while remaining focused on martial arts and not on the business of martial arts.

- Sifu Maiky Tran