As local North Texas entrepreneur, John Reyes, explains it, “Plano Karate Club is not just another martial arts studio.” Doing Karate for over 30 years, John is passionate about the discipline of traditional martial arts, which centers on character development, faithfulness/loyalty, excellence, and respect for self and others. It’s with these founding principles John opened Plano Karate Club, to re-introduce the true essence of karate training for those who appreciate authenticity and tradition. He shares how Plano Karate Club is a niche dojo that “brings judo karate to life by upholding the highest standards for excellence of Shotokan Karate passed down from Shuseki Shihan Gichin Funakoshi.”
As John continues to build Plano Karate Club, he needed funding for working capital, leasehold improvements, and new equipment. Turned away by banks, John then connected with PeopleFund, where he was able to access the capital the business needed to grow. John then applied to PeopleFund’s BIPOC Small Business Accelerator, expressing his interesting in gaining the “essential tools and resources that I need to successfully achieve my business’s short, medium, and long term goals.” As an Accelerator graduate, John was able to receive training and one-on-one coaching to further develop his business, as Plano Karate Club continues to thrive, offering classes to people of all ages. Equipped with resources and training, John is growing dojo membership and strategic partnerships, as Plano Karate Club becomes a cornerstone of the local North Texas community.