The Story of National Karate Chicago: Part 1

 

The Story of National Karate Chicago – The Journey Begins

By Cristian Nelson

 

Thirty years ago, I packed my bags, tightened my belt, and stepped onto a path that would shape the lives of thousands, including mine. Today, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of National Karate in Illinois, I want to share the story of how it all began—how I took a leap of faith and brought National Karate to the Chicago suburbs.

A Different Path Than Expected

I never set out to be a professional martial artist. Though I had been teaching at National Karate since

High School and put myself through college teaching karate, I had always imagined a future in the corporate world. I often reminded Grand Master John Worley that, upon graduation, I would be leaving National Karate to find a “real job” – “you know, the kind of job where you wear shoes!” lol

But when the time came to interview for corporate positions, I was struck by how dull they seemed to me. Then one day, a college professor asked me a life-changing question: “If you won the lottery and never had to work, what would you do?” Without hesitation, I answered, “I’d open a nice karate school and teach karate for fun.”

That moment changed everything—I realized I had to find a way to make that dream my reality.

 

A Decision to Expand National Karate

Determined to make it happen, I approached Grand Master Worley about opening my own National Karate school. He agreed, but with two conditions: I had to work for him for three more years, and I had to establish my school in a new market. With 23 National Karate locations already in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, there was little room for expansion in Minnesota. That meant one thing: if I wanted my own school, I had to leave home.

I never imagined leaving Minnesota. I loved the lakes, the hunting and fishing, I went to the University of Minnesota, and I loved my family and the community I had always known. Of course, I could have been selfish and opened up Cris Nelson’s Martial Arts and stayed in my home town, but my loyalty to National Karate and Grand Master Worley outweighed my desire to stay in my comfort zone. So, I embarked on a nationwide search for the perfect location.

 

Finding the Right Home for National Karate

For three years, I conducted extensive research, poring over census data and demographic materials. Keep in mind, this was before the internet, so this meant spending countless hours in libraries researching the old fashioned way. My first thought was, if I’m going to leave Minnesota, I should go somewhere warm. I almost chose Phoenix, Arizona, even coming close to signing a lease for a school there.

But during a visit to my wife’s family in the suburbs of Chicago, I saw something special. The community was vibrant, the suburban landscape was growing, and the potential for a successful martial arts school seemed a possibility. Chicago became my new focus.

 

The Reality of Starting a Business

With a dream in my heart but little money in my pocket, I soon faced a harsh reality: banks don’t lend money to young college graduates with no collateral. Despite my passion and strong work ethic, financial institutions required something tangible as security, and I had nothing to offer. I thought my dream was over before it began.

Then, a wise mentor at the bank offered me a lifeline: the “Brown Bag Plan.” The concept was simple—live as frugally as possible and save the money instead of borrow it. Bring lunch to work in a brown paper bag instead of eating out, cut out unnecessary expenses, and save every dollar I could. For three years, while serving as the Director of the Minnetonka National Karate school, I followed this plan with unwavering discipline. It wasn’t easy, but my martial arts training had instilled in me the power of perseverance and delayed gratification.

Day after day, I ate a plain can of tuna for lunch. I skipped entertainment, made sacrifices at every turn, and stayed focused on my goal. After three years of relentless saving, I amassed $50,000—equivalent to about $115,860 today. Looking back, I could have used more, but at the time, it felt like enough. And so, in 1995, I decided I was finally ready to take the leap.

 

A Heartfelt Farewell to Minnesota

When the time came to move to Chicago, my students and their families at the Minnetonka, MN National Karate school threw me a going-away party that I will never forget. They gave me thoughtful mementos, heartfelt letters, and photo albums filled with memories of our time together. To this day, I still have those keepsakes, and they serve as a reminder of the incredible relationships I built there. Leaving them was not easy, but I knew that the people of Illinois could also benefit from National Karate’s training and philosophy. With their support and encouragement, I took the next step in my journey.

So, with a leap of faith, my wife and I packed our bags, left behind the life we had known, and moved to

Chicago to establish the first National Karate school outside of Minnesota.

The Struggles of Building a Dream

Starting a new business is never easy, but the reality was even tougher than I expected. The first few years in Chicago were filled with financial hardship. My wife and I sold one of our cars and shared the other. She worked as a Montessori teacher while we stretched every dollar to keep our dream alive. We couldn’t afford new clothes, entertainment, or dining out.

One moment that encapsulated our struggle was the “Burger King story.” After two years of living a very humble existence, and still not able to afford going to a restaurant, we received a coupon in the mail: Buy One Whopper and Get One FREE!  So, we went out to eat at Burger King and got two burgers, no fries, and a free cup of water.  That was our big night out! It was a stark reminder of the sacrifices we had to make.

I have to admire my wife—because even though there were many moments I questioned whether leaving our family and friends to move to

the Chicago suburbs was the right choice, she never wavered and always believed in me. I couldn’t have done it without her by my side.

I also couldn’t have done it without my faith in God. Through all these years of making critical decisions, He has led and guided me. And even in the leanest times, He always provided for us – we never came up short, we always had just enough of what we needed.

So, despite the hardships, we persevered. Faith, determination, and an unwavering belief in the power of martial arts kept us going. I knew that National Karate had the ability to change lives, and I was determined to bring that opportunity to the people of Illinois.

 

Looking Back 30 Years Later

If you had told me in 1995 where we would be today, I might not have believed you. But by God’s grace, National Karate Illinois has grown to five successful schools and several satellite programs, with over 1,000 active students and more than 2,000 students promoted to Black Belt. Over the last 30 years, we’ve taught more than 20,000 students, helping shape them into strong, confident, and disciplined people. The impact on the community has been immeasurable. And through it all, we’ve remained committed to excellence—so much so that National Karate of Illinois has been voted the Best Martial Arts Schools in the Chicago suburbs for 13 years in a row.

I admit, if I had know how difficult the journey would be, I might not have done it. The sleepless nights, financial strain, and constant challenges were more than I ever anticipated. But the rewards—seeing lives transformed and students grow into their full potential—have made every sacrifice worthwhile. It was harder than I imagined, but it has also been more rewarding than I ever dreamed.

Through it all, my motivation has remained constant: the people. The students, the families, and the dedicated staff who have become part of the National Karate family continue to drive me today. As I’ve always said, “Life is more enjoyable when you have people you love to share the journey.”  And I have been blessed to have some amazing people with me on this journey!  It’s been a heck a ride!

To Be Continued…

This is just the beginning of the National Karate story. Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll share the National Karate Chicago “Book of Firsts”.  You know how every proud parent cherishes the “firsts”—the first step, the first word, the first day of school. At National Karate Chicago, our journey began much the same way. So, Part 2 will show some of those “first steps” as a brand-new martial arts school, filled with excitement, dreams, and the determination to build something special.