Retrospection is the act of looking back and reviewing the events of a past period of time. This gives us an opportunity to examine or evaluate ourselves and also to see where we are today in comparison.



For Shen Martial Arts, the last 5 years have been an roller-coaster ride. Not a mild, low level ride but a high-speed, turn you every which way, hang you upside down, dangle you by the legs,  10 story free-fall drop,  and take your picture so you can remember your agony type of roller-coaster. And, while we are happy and proud that we managed to survive,  somewhat disappointed that we did little more than survive. 

Just what did we survive? We survived our own super success of 2006 and 2007. We survived the recession that we began to feel in 2008 and that continues today, regardless of what our President and his propaganda machine will have us believe. We survived a slowed market and growing competition, competition which we allowed to take hold  resulting in a smaller pie divided into more pieces. Last but not least,we survived ourselves, our mistakes, mis-calculations, poor decisions, wishful thinking and lack of experience.

So, did we do anything right?

Yes. We held on to our vision of being the Best Dit Da Jow and Iron Palm Liniment and Herb supplier in the world. We did not give up as sales stagnated and costs went up and at the same time customer expectations continued to rise.  We did not lower our standards to reduce costs and we refused to engage in exaggerated claims or negative marketing against competitors, even as they  attacked us directly, indirectly, openly and subtly all the while replicating our model and our approach. 

So why should you, our customer care about all of this? We like to think of you as a friend and supporter, and want you to know us intimately, but that is not the reason. The reason all of this matters is simple: We learned, gained experience, and became a stronger, more mature and cohesive team with an even stronger commitment and a renewed focus on you, OUR CUSTOMER.

There is a saying in Mexico that translates to: Their is no BAD that doesn't come to do GOOD and like Nietzsche said, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger". More simply stated, "No Pain, No Gain".  We went through some tough times, we had bad things happen, we experienced pain and difficulty, but it did not kill us and here we are, Stronger, Smarter, Better and More Committed than ever.

It is now 2011, and the next 5 years are ahead of us.  Expect more from Shen Martial Arts. More value, more innovation, the Highest Quality at reasonable prices. No exaggerated claims, just our honest pledge to provide you with products that work, products that help you advance your training and get real, tangible results.