We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angie Vogel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angie below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Angie with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I learned from a young age that no one was going to just hand you the things you wanted. I grew up in a lower middle class family, with working parents. We had what we needed, but never much for extras. One story that comes to mind is in middle school i wanted the sneakers that everyone had, and my mom said we couldn’t afford them and that if i wanted them i would have to earn the money to get them. (they were vans by the way!) So i got a paper route. I don’t even think that job exists anymore. The gratification of working for then buying my own sneakers was enough to instill in me to get what i wanted, I had to work for it.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I own a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school with my husband in Philadelphia. Jiu Jitsu is a martial art based in self defense, that has grown into not only a sport, but a community activity.
The most special thing about our particular academy is the culture. We have been able to make a real impact in the way that people train Jiu Jitsu. Traditionally its a male dominated space, with a lot of ego fueled and sometimes dangerous behavior. We put an emphasis on the problem solving aspects of the art, and present it like a chess game. This ensures that people are focused on the skill building rather than winning.
To that end I focus all our marketing to people i feel may be drawn to a more community based activity, and those interested in the more cerebral side of martial arts.
Additionally I have just started to expand our merchandising to a broader audience. In the same vein as above, most of the products available to jiu jitsu practitioners before has been on the “alpha” side of things. My designs are more on the comical and light hearted aspects of training, and also cute!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Work ethic – sometimes you just have to say, this is what you need to do to be the best
Be nice- you aren’t going to be friends with everyone, but you can be kind, and professional
Continuing education- knowledge is literally at our finger tips now. take a class online, study, and practice!
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My husband. We are in this together, but we both shine in different areas. He is super supportive and trusting of my ideas, and gives me the time and space to build new skills, and has the patience and calm energy i need when i get overwhelmed. It’s been challenging at times! Owning a business with your significant other is not for the faint of heart. But mutual respect for each others strengths, and grace under pressure is our secret.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jiujitsuphilly.com
- Instagram: thejiujitsucompany
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=the%20jiu%20jitsu%20company
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Y3nD1TSuy9PpamxidwJbw
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-jiu-jitsu-company-philadelphia
- Other: https://jiujitsumerch.com
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
