Meet Renard Beaty of East Atlanta, Grant Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Renard Beaty.

Hi Renard, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was looking for an activity that would help my daughters grow into competent, disciplined young women with self-defense skills, and that I could also participate in their development. We took lessons at the local YMCA. Kick Start Martial Arts was founded in 2007 when I was asked to take over the YMCA martial arts program; it was supposed to be a side gig but with my first black belt and student growth I went full-time.

My background is in corporate training, with a focus on leadership, team development, and management training. This is the basis of the core training that took us from 50 students to a program with over 160 students, ranging from ages 5 to adult. Since then, Kick Start Martial Arts has received many awards for its excellence. The latest award, The Best Martial Arts School in Grant Park. Prior awards included, voted the Best Martial Arts Facility in Georgia, 2021 – 2024. The ultimate goal has not changed since my daughters started: I want all my students to develop into competent, disciplined individuals with focus and self-defense skills, both as young women and men. We have been in the East Atlanta community for over 15 years.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We offer a structured program that may not always be fun to a child who just want to have fun and being told they are doing great when they aren’t. There are other activities design to keep it fun and focused. Thus the biggest struggle is making sure the parents are onboard with how we are making sure their child is developing what they say they want: focus, self-control, respectful, self-defense. If the parent is on-board, they will keep their child in the program even when the child wants to quit. I find it hard to hear,” I don’t let them do something they don’t like.” I have so many black belts that tell me they are glad their parent didn’t let them quit.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am proud to have achieved the rank of 6th degree black belt and I have a master degree in Human Resources Training and Development. I was the director of the Minority Engineers Management Training Program for Eastman Kodak and Diversity trainer for Allstate Insurance Co. I’m also a trained mediator.

My specialty is to develop leadership and team building skills in doing people. In fact, some of my high schoolers are mistaken for college students by their professional behavior and maturity. I want my students to leave from her mastering more than blocking a punch. I want them to have life skills that will allow them to achieve their dreams.

This is what set my program an apart from other martial arts program. Through my leadership development program, Kick Start Future Leaders Organization (K.F.L.O.) I am able to create individuals that believe the best self-defense is to work together or de-escalate when interacting with others for the common good.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Starting out, created a business plan. My business plan allowed me to understand my demographic, competitor, goals to reach, operational cost. Most importantly, it helped me to understand what made my services different from other sports programs. It wasn’t sexy but it gave me direction.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kickstartatl.com
• Instagram: kickstartatl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KSAtlantamartialarts/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kickstartmartialarts2240