01/06/2026
Moving Forward with Gratitude
And just like that, it’s 2026. As the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun. We say it flies even faster when you love what you do.
This New Year is especially meaningful because it marks Excel’s 25th anniversary. Who would have thought that a small startup school on Topanga Canyon Boulevard—founded by newly arrived immigrants—would still be thriving twenty-five years later? In our hearts, we always knew we were good at teaching and that we could change lives. What we didn’t know was how to run a business. We were black belts in Taekwondo, but white belts in business. Passion is the spark, but business acumen is the fuel. Much like two of Taekwondo’s core tenets—indomitable spirit and perseverance—one ignites the journey, while the other keeps it going.
We had the spark, but not always the gas. So how did we make it this far? Through a blend of humility, courage, entrepreneurial spirit, commitment, confidence, grit, resilience, dedication, determination, and plain old hard work.
The pandemic arrived at the same time as Excel’s twentieth anniversary. Despite the hardship it brought, it also gave us valuable gifts. It forced a reset that allowed us to see what truly mattered and let go of practices that no longer served our students or our mission. It pushed us to become more creative, enabling us to pivot and better support our community during an uncertain time. And it revealed our resilience—proving that grit and adaptability were deeply woven into who we are.
Most importantly, it showed us that our years of commitment had not been in vain. Eighty percent of our students stayed with us through that period. They believed in what we were doing. Not only did we survive—we grew stronger. That was when it became clear: we had developed the fuel that would sustain Excel for decades to come.
For many years, success felt elusive. No matter how hard we worked, it sometimes seemed like we were running on a hamster wheel, stuck in the same place. We were always looking ahead—toward the next goal—never pausing to see how far we had already come. A friend introduced us to “The Gap and the Gain” by Dan Sullivan, which shifted our perspective. Sullivan explains that when we measure ourselves only against future goals, we rob ourselves of the satisfaction of progress. The future is uncertain, but the past is measurable.
True success is found by measuring backward—by recognizing growth, achievements, and distance traveled. Goals still matter, but they serve as guideposts, not finish lines.
Over twenty-five years, we have helped develop our students’ physical and mental strength while creating a safe, welcoming, and encouraging community. Through our athletic expertise, we have produced state and national champions, as well as members of the U.S. National Team. The leadership teams we have cultivated are admired, respected, and emulated by other schools. And today, Excel is recognized by the City of Los Angeles as a Legacy Business—an honor reserved for organizations that have served their communities for at least twenty years, a milestone few small businesses ever reach.
None of this would have been possible without the love, support, and belief of our families, friends, and community. They are the foundation that made Excel possible.
We are deeply grateful for how far we’ve come—and excited for all that lies ahead.
Happy 25th Birthday Excel!
ONWARD!
