
My business is the DB martial-arts club, MGK Fight Club. Our private classes and high-level open training sessions cater to members of all ages, backgrounds and levels (from beginner to professional fighter). More than a school or academy, MGK is a family; a real club where each of us helps others to grow.
We focus on mixed martial arts, which I’ve been studying since I was 15 years old. Myself and many of the other MGK coaches are professional MMA fighters, and our programmes cover all aspects of martial arts from combat sports to self-defence, while also focusing on health and lifestyle. By booking private sessions, club members get a personalised training plan adapted to their schedule and objectives, and an instructor fully focused on their specific needs.
MGK is a success because it has been continuously growing and positively changing people’s lives for over six years. As a former white-collar worker, I understand that people want to perform at their peak in everything they do. I’m on a mission to prove that everyone can be a high-level athlete, even the busy office worker.
The thing that interests me the most about my business is helping people win… in training, in competition and in life. Aside from the martial-arts training, my areas of expertise include life coaching and team building. I like to help people develop their mental strength, self-confidence, and ability to work hard and under pressure. Providing classes for kids also interests me, seeing them grow as martial artists becomes a passion. Children develop key skills such as coordination, balance, concentration, discipline, how to respect others, and how to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
My advice for anyone looking to start up a business is to know what you’re doing, formulate a solid plan, and take that first step forward. Don’t be afraid to take risks. In setting up MGK, I listened to my intuition and gave up financial stability and security to look for fulfilment. As a breadwinner, I found the initial uncertainty of outcome a challenge. But the risk paid off.
To succeed in business, you need to be hard working, pragmatic and visionary. My greatest achievement is deciding to dedicate myself full time to my passion for martial arts.
When hiring staff, I always ask why they believe they can make their passion their full-time job. My plan for the future is to grow MGK. I want to continue to train my staff to the highest skill-level possible, and develop the quality and quantity of our services. We are also about to make the leap to a bigger and better space in DB Plaza.
Residents who are interested in helping us achieve this can contribute to the project, and become founding members. The entrepreneur I most admire is Walt Disney. Like he said, “Dream, Believe, Dare, Do! All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
My personal motto is work hard, stay dedicated and remain loyal
Photo by Baljit Gidwani