Interview with Erik Albrechtson, master instructor
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: I started martial arts when I was 8 years old in Rawlins, Wyo. I received my black belt at the age of 12, and at 16 I was teaching classes with my instructor, John Sautel. While I was attending college at the University of Wyoming, he moved to Denver to run the Littleton campus of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. After college, I moved to Denver and taught again with my instructor there before opening my own school here in Westminster.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: Most people know that martial arts are good for developing confidence, respect, focus, fitness and, of course, self-defense. But martial arts schools vary so much from a quality point of view. Our school pushes education along with our martial arts training. All of our instructors are taught and trained in house, starting at white belt. We take a positive, structured approach to teaching toddlers, children and adults. We are constantly striving to push our students to be leaders at school, home and in the workplace.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: The best thing about being a martial arts teacher is seeing the accomplishments of our students. Whether it’s how well they competed at a tournament, or successes at school and work. It’s wonderful to hear about how much better our young students are doing in school and other sports (since taekwondo is a good cross-training sport), and our adult students doing better at work and other adventures in their lives.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: Probably the biggest challenge is getting the word out about our program to the community. Our students know how valuable their training is and how much they learn and grow, but it’s hard to express that to someone who has never tried a class.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: Our black belt team is on a world tour where every few years we travel to another country and work out and compete with other taekwondo schools. So far, our team has traveled to Russia, South Korea, Ireland, New Zealand, Mexico, Germany and Austria. It’s been great working out with people all over the world where people speak the common language of taekwondo with us.
Profile
Business: Colorado Taekwondo Institute
Address: 9020 W. 88th Ave., Westminster
Hours: 3-9 p.m. Monday through Friday
Founded: 2005
Contact: 303-428-5377,
Employees: 6
