What started out as a six-member dojo in a basement in April 2009 has
grown to twenty strong, with a new facility at 301 MAC Ave. in East
Lansing, in less than a year’s time.
The
MAGIC BJJ Dojo
opened its new doors in February and offers unique training in Rigan
Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jutsu. Founder Matthew Linsemier says East
Lansing was a natural fit for attracting students.
“Being
practically on campus, we couldn't ask for a better place to attract
students as well as build our business due to the already thriving
nature of
downtown East Lansing,” he writes in an e-mail. Linsemier
adds that some students drive 30 to 40 miles to attend classes.
The
current space is 775 square feet. Linsemier is negotiating with his
landlord to expand to more than 1,000 square feet. He is the only paid staff member,
while students volunteer their time in exchange for reduced tuition.
Business
has been good so far, and the dojo is a passion and basically a second
job for Linsemier, who says he doesn’t need to rely on its income to
determine the future of his business.
“This allows me to run things the way I want,” says Linsemier, who is 39 and originally from Eaton Rapids.
Source: Matthew Linsemier, MAGIC/BJJ Dojo
Writer: Andy Balaskovitz
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