Today we’d like to introduce you to Eugene Candreva.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Eugene. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started the martial arts in 1973 in Yankton College in Yankton South Dakota. I was looking for an activity since the college did not have a swim team. Throughout the four years in college, I studied the martial arts and began teaching. It helps to pay some of the bills during those years. After graduation and finding my first job in the chemical world I opened a club in Oak Forest park district. Once the club became too large for the park district facilities we open a full time school. I work a full-time job and have taught martial arts in the late afternoons and evenings. After working in industry for 30 plus years, I went back to school to get a Master Degree in Education/special education. Over the years and change in careers, we opened a second school during the change in careers. I have been teaching the martial arts for 44 years. This is a belief of what I do.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Life is never a smooth road. The economy has played a large part in the martial arts business. This activity is the spare money activity so as the economy turns to a slump parents may pull their children from classes.
Please tell us about ATA Martial Arts.
We teach the martial arts, specifically Songahm style. It was founded by Grand Master H.U. Lee. We teach all ages starting at three years of age through adults. We build confidence, respect, manners and self-esteem in all ages. When we work with children with special needs and watch them bloom and build all the stated above attributes it is what we do that makes us proud. This attribute training is what sets us apart from other martial arts.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I am not sure there is much that I would change other than build a larger staff. Over the years of teaching some of my instructors have ventured out on their own which has help build our presents in the Chicago area. When I started, I was the first school in the area. Since then we have grown to over 20 schools that are independently own and operated.
Pricing:
- $125.00 per month
Contact Info:
- Address: 15423 Cicero Ave Oak Forest, Illinois
1220 Larry Power Road Bourbonnias, Illinois - Website: ata-karateforkids.net
- Phone: 708-535-7000 or 815-929-3478
- Email: egcandreva@comcast.net
- Facebook: Candreva’s ATA
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