Meet Solomon Blake | Martial Arts Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Solomon Blake and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Solomon, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I decided that I wanted to have my own martial arts school in sophomore year of high school. I had fallen in love with martial arts so much, and I didn’t see any real career opportunity outside of running a school of my own, so that’s what I decided on.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Black Sun Boxing is a unique endeavor straddling the worlds of traditional martial arts and modern mixed martial arts. We recognize the benefit of the old ways, and the necessity of keeping up with the evolution of the arts. This, of course, presents challenges as a business because both halves can be a bit like oil and water. We often come across as too traditional for the combat sports enthusiasts, and too “rough and tumble” for those more interested in traditional methods. It has meant a slow and steady approach to business because marketing campaigns yield little fruit, and we have to just wait for people who want what we offer to find us.

During our years of operations, we have re-branded more than once, and moved locations several times. These changes always produce short term losses, but are done in the prospects of greater reach in the long term. Martial Arts instruction is already a very low income career, with a statistical interest of about 1% – 3% of the general population, and the cost of doing business is not inexpensive if you want any veneer of professionalism. This means that you can’t go into this career looking to get wealthy. If it happens, that’s great, but you have to love practicing and teaching first. I don’t like the word “passion” but if it applies to anything in business, it is this path. You must be an amateur even when you’re a professional. That is, you do it for the love of it.

For Black Sun Boxing, that means we have persisted through the lockdowns, through losing our facility to arson, through moving across town, through losing almost every student to these moves. But quitting is not an option. I will not accept failure. This isn’t a job, it’s not even a career, it’s who I am.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank my father for introducing me to the world of martial arts through the entertainment we enjoyed together as a family, and for recognizing my love for it and enrolling me in classes. And my many instructors and training partners, too numerous to name, who actually developed me into a functional martial artist. Thank you to all of my students, past, present, and future, who give me the chance to share my obsession, and graciously put up with my flaws. And finally, a massive thanks to my wife for supporting me through the toughest of times to follow my dream.

Website: https://blacksunboxing.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blacksunboxing/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackSunBoxing

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BlackSunBoxing

Other: https://blacksun.substack.com/