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Help United Jiu Jitsu with its New Home!

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Hello! My name is Coach Stan Riser. I've been teaching martial arts since 2005 and now I've opened my own studio. I'm asking for help in supporting my business and family. Here is a brief explanation of my story.

After several years of teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at my former martial arts school franchise, life, in all its infinite change, brought complications between my employer and the Jiu-Jitsu School they were affiliated with. We all decided that I would create a new system and curriculum, as I was the resident expert in BJJ. I knew time was limited so I was hard at work even throughout our hospital stay when my son was born.  As we were experiencing all of this change and new joy, I returned to the school franchise I worked for to find that some difficult and unfortunate decisions needed to be made to save that particular school. We all agreed to sign contracts. My portion included the need to create my own company, take ownership of and operate the Jiu-Jitsu program as well as a significant decrease in salary. The start-up costs, on top of having a child, buying a townhouse and new vehicle, depleted my savings and I had to rely mostly on credit; however, I didn't waver because I was working towards the realization of saving the school for all of the students, owners and my family.  We seemed to be picking up speed when the wind got knocked out of our sails yet again. Six months later, an owner of the school felt it was necessary to resign. The remaining employers made an offer to sell the school to me. This would have been a grand opportunity for me to keep teaching my students and continue cultivating our martial arts family. But, with a new baby and greater responsibilities, I just couldn't pull it off financially. I would need a business loan. I drew up financial documents and business plans to present to financial institutions but during that time, every corner I turned ended up being a dead-end. While I was making appointments with Business Development Centers and working as hard as I could to figure out how to save the school my family and I had helped build, I learned that it was being sold to another buyer. For reasons outside of the franchise owner's hands they had to do so. My termination of employment would be effective at the end of April 2018. You can all imagine what it was like to be so close to a dream only to watch it evaporate in mid-air. It was with great devastation and a heavy heart that I walked away from the place that my family and I poured our lives into for almost a decade.  Despite the odds, thankfully, my passion has kept me going. Over the span of several months I had been continuing to work as hard as ever. Interviews with Business Development Centers, speaking with Real Estate Agents and traveling around to find potential locations for the Martial Arts school is just naming a few challenges that we've overcome. The willingness to work hard and our support network led us to a great opportunity. On October 21st 2018, We singed the lease to United Jiu Jitsu's new home!

I wish to continue teaching my students, expand the business and utilize my seventeen plus years of experience to help better myself, others and the community. However, with any business, there are more obstacles to encounter.  Teaching and practicing martial arts isn't just a job or hobby to me, it's a true calling. I hope you can see why I am so dedicated to it and that you are inspired to help me rebuild and hopefully someday, join, such an amazing family and community of fellow martial artists.

We are grateful that you took the time to read our story. Any amount donated that you can spare is most appreciated. We will put it to good use. The donations will be used to cover lease payments, business operating costs, inventory, supplies, utilities and the business loan payments. Having your help now will give me, my family and United Jiu Jitsu the chance we need to successfully realize our dream that we have work so hard for. Thank you all so very much!

Perseverance, Integrity, Gratitude.

Stan Riser
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Donations 

  • Allison Mehlhorn
    • $5 
    • 4 yrs
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Organizer

Stan Riser
Organizer
St. Paul, MN

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