Hidden Gems: Meet Erica Martin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Martin.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My childhood was pretty unique. I grew up in Largo, Florida and was raised in our family business, a martial arts school. My dad built our 10,000 sq/ft school from the ground up with our personal residence in the back. Growing up, I watched my dad pursue his dream of becoming a world champion while my mom took care of me and my two younger sisters.

When I was 15, I decided I wanted to open a martial arts school, just like my dad. He started bringing me to consulting meetings for martial arts business owners. I gave up my teenage weekends to learn about running a business. I was 16 years old, in a room of 45+ martial arts business owners, who were mostly men. With my dad’s support, I opened our first branch martial arts school. I was 18 years old. Our first year in business, we generated 3.5x the national average. Eight years later, my school was in the top .01% of martial arts schools worldwide. At 26 years old, I turned the school over to my dad. I started an online consulting company to help struggling martial arts school owners.

In two and a half years, our programs helped hundreds of school owners add over $10,000,000 in new revenue. We became the top consulting company in the martial arts industry. After selling my equity in MAST, I spent several years working with seven and eight-figure companies. I helped them 2-10x their revenue and client base in 6-12 months. While big numbers and big wins are exciting, I wanted to reconnect with impact driven small business owners. Which led me to create my program, Sell Irresistibly. My mission in 2021 is to help 100 female entrepreneurs become wealthy women.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has been filled with ups and downs. My first year in business definitely lulled me into a false sense of security. I won Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Top 30 Under 30. My business grossed 3.5x the national average. I was featured on local media. Everything I touched seemed to turn to gold. Until the end of 2007. I was 19 years old. I’d just bought my first home when the economy crashed. Families in our local area struggled to put food on the table. They no longer had a budget for martial arts. My income plummeted by 42%. One day, my card declined for a $5 lunch special at the Chinese spot next door. I was so humiliated. Everyone saw me as strong and unwavering. I was terrified they would see me as a fraud if they knew.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Erica Martin Consulting?
I am on a mission to help 100 female entrepreneurs become wealthy women in 2021. I believe the people who hold the wealth in the world are the most able to impact change. Historically, wealth and influence has been a privilege experienced by a handful of men. I’m here to help level the playing field by empowering women on a mission. I teach high-performing, driven women how to make money and change the world. I have a community called the Sell Irresistibly Dojo where I teach women how to become blackbelts in sales. It’s a super fun program! The thing I’m most proud of is the community. Everyone cheers each other on. Everyone celebrates each other’s wins. We are a big, loud, fun family of impact-driven women who are here to win. If you want to check out our community, I’ll drop a link for our free mini-series! https://ericamartin.sellirresistibly.com/webinar-liveminiseries

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
You’re never going to feel ready. Start before you’re ready. If you’re not embarrassed by your first product, you’ve launched too late. Focus on the one person you know you can help. Help them. Then, focus on the next person. When we get too caught up in the big vision, it can prevent us from getting started. The world needs you. Don’t let your fears get in the way. Find a mentor and a community that you vibe with. Surround yourself people who lift you up. Getting started is the hardest part. If you’re brave enough to take the leap and get started, then you have what it takes to be successful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ericamartinconsulting/

Image Credits
Marlies Hartmann