The Way of the Mile High Maverick
Stephen Oliver began martial arts training in 1969 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at a branch school of the Jhoon Rhee Institute. He opened his first school in 1975. He later moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the Jhoon Rhee Institute, first as an instructor, and later as their youngest-ever branch manager, while earning an honor’s degree in Economics at Georgetown University.  In 1983, he moved to the Denver metropolitan area, and opened five schools in 18 months with only $10,000 in capital. He went on to promote the Mile High Karate Classic NASKA World tour event and serve on NASKA’s Board of Directors from 1989-1999, and on EFC’s Board of Directors from inception until 2002.  In 1992 he earned his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Denver, and went on to serve on their Venture and Entrepreneurship Advisory Board. He has also written several other books including: How to Market Your Martial Arts School Using the Internet and Direct Response Marketing for Martial Arts Schools. He has been actively involved in NAPMA since before its inception, and has been an on-going and active contributor and speaker. Currently, he is CEO of the National Association of Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA), and Martial Arts Professional Magazine (www.MartialArtsProfessional.com). He continues to focus on his Mile High Karate schools, which has “Regional Developers” in place throughout the world, and is the leading, and fastest-growing, professional Martial Arts School Franchise system (www.MileHighFranchise.com), with locations worldwide. In the Denver area, he has nine locations, and continues to speak to and write for martial arts school operators throughout the world, as well as consult for a very select team of school owners.  He is currently an 8th-Degree Black Belt in American Tae Kwon Do, and oversees an organization that teaches a diverse range of martial arts styles.