Parents think about the impact that they have on their children, the legacy that is left, the inheritance that is handed down. When Master Castro’s eldest son, Naaman, graduated from high school, decisions about his future were at the forefront of father/son conversations.
After years of working as a caterer and teaching taekwondo at the local Y, Master Castro revisited owning and operating his own studio again. Opening a studio at this stage in Master Castro’s career held mixed feeling; he knew how much was involved in the process.
After careful consideration and much discussion with his wife Britanny and Naaman, a family decision was made. Castro Martial Arts Center would open as a joint father/son venture – building a legacy for the future on an established foundation.
Naaman is grateful for the experience to meld his love for taekwondo (a seed planted by his father and mother early in his life) with his growing knowledge of business (he will be pursuing a business degree in college). Not only does he have an established business to grow with his father, he knows that he has “has the opportunity of a lifetime; [he’s] working with one of the BEST in the game. It means a LOT to [him] that [his] dad’s investing in [his] life and future.”
Master Castro has enjoyed mentoring his son as they make decisions about studio location, design, and functionality. Weekly Monday meetings include discussions about programs and plans that have worked well in the past merging with newly- available resources such as social media. Despite opening during the pandemic, Castro Martial Arts Center is thriving under the leadership of the duo and they look forward to seeing how things continue to develop and grow.