Meet Vanny Boon | 5th Degree Blackbelt Martial Artist & Owner

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

Hi Vanny, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
Treat others how you want to be treated. Coming up with many different bosses and jobs I was able to really learn what I liked and did not like in a manager/boss and was able to develop a style of management that revolves around how I would like to be treated. And what I have found is that respect is a two way street. In order for your team to respect you, you have to respect them, show care and compassion, but also lead by example. I cannot ask my team to do anything that I myself would not do – from cleaning toilets to running class. Everything starts from that base level of respect and then is built up from there. In order to build a successful business, your team needs to care about the business as much as the owner does. and the only way I have found to do that is to make sure that my team feels that I care and respect them. And that is all that I was looking for in a boss when I was coming up.

Secondly, owning a business has taught me to really develop an understanding for people. I don’t care if you’re a janitor, a hedge fund manager, or a martial arts instructor, successful leaders are able to understand what the person across from them is really saying and wanting. More often than not, when a person comes in looking for a refund, they’re not actually looking for a refund, they’re looking for someone to listen to them and get them comfortable again and really understand their true problem. Not taking things on surface or face value but being able to look a little deeper into understanding people has been a very important lesson for me. And it comes from being able to put yourself into someone else’s shoes and being empathic.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I run a martial arts school in the heart of Dallas that specializes in Taekwondo, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. Unlike many martial arts schools, we are not a “blackbelt factory.” Every student that comes into our school has to earn their way up to a blackbelt. Some may take 5 years some may take 30. But we recognize that martial arts is very much an individual journey that will be a different experience for every person that walks in the door.

We also take pride in the level of service and quality we provide. its not uncommon to go to a martial arts school and see one instructor running the entire show from sign-ups to classes. That boils down to school whose only objective is to make money and keep costs low. At our facility, there are no less than 3 instructors not including our front desk operations taking care of our students and families. Business always boils down to the service you provide. People will stick with you through a lot if they know they’re getting the best service and quality product. So our facility has much more overhead than many schools, but in the end it directly translates to a better bottom line.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well first I would take them to my school – best spot in all of Dallas easily!

But after we’re done there, I’m a huge fan of being active and exploring Dallas on adventures, so I enjoy taking friends one wheeling (its like an electronic skateboard) on local parks and trails around Dallas, like the Katy trail or Klyde Warren Park.

Then we’d have to check out a Cowboys game and show off just how much bigger everything is in Texas.

And of course there would be plenty of eating. Some of my favorite spots are Uchiba, Krab Kings, Pho Pasteur, OMG Tacos, and Feng Cha and Gong Cha for the best boba tea,

And for those with kids we love going to Strike and Reel, Dave and Busters, and Ninja Warrior Kids.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my team. They are the reason I am where I am. Through the pandemic, they were at the front lines keeping kids and adults active, healthy, risking their health for the school and for our community. They make the school what it is. Thank you.

Website: www.boonmma.com

Instagram: @boon_martialarts

Linkedin: Boon Martial Arts

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

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/boon-martial-arts-dallas?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi3nb8NYCBXIo9Ix27l3roQ