Fort Bend Business Journal Article on the Lopez Family

Getting paid money for a day at the gym sounds too good to be true, but for the Lopez family it’s a reality. Jean, Steven, Mark and Diana Lopez are known as the first family of Taekwondo. In 2008, the siblings made history as all four represented the USA at the Beijing Olympics. Brother Jean served as coach to his younger siblings Steven, Mark and Diana. All three brought home medals.
Their history making performance has paved the way to making the family an icon in the sport of Taekwondo. The siblings have taken their achievements and built a thriving industry. They have opened their own gym in Sugar Land and are currently preparing to open a second gym in the Houston Galleria area. Top athletes of Taekwondo come to train under the genius instruction of Jean Lopez. “Jean is to Taekwondo, what Phil Jackson is to Basketball…he is the master” says brother and athlete Steven Lopez. Jean’s students come from all over the nation and the world to train under his mastery. Jean is in his tenth year as a Coach with the USA’s Taekwondo’s Olympic team. His ability to train World Champions has made him the maharishi of the sport. Jean and his family chose to keep their business in the community where they grew up. Because of the Lopez family, Sugar Land has become known as the capitol of Taekwondo. Now with their family opening a new location in Houston, the international appeal is even greater.
All the siblings personally train and are instructors at the Lopez Taekwondo Academy. The idea of having an Olympian as an instructor is appealing for both adults and children. “It is an incredible feeling to be training at our very own gym and to share the experience with my siblings” says Jean Lopez. Their gym is the only facility in Houston where you are able to be instructed by an Olympian. Furthermore, each sibling participates in seminars on Taekwondo and training regimes throughout the World. They crisscross the Continents and travel through the Countries as guest of a variety of different groups and organizations. These seminars and demonstrations have been very lucrative for the family. Most important, these events allow the family to promote the sport of Taekwondo.
The ability for the Lopez family to be the best in Taekwondo allows them to continue to reap the rewards. Steven, under the instruction of older brother Jean has won five consective World Championship titles and is currently ranked number one in the World. Mark is quick to say “If jean is the Phil Jackson of Taekwondo then Steven is the Michael Jordon of our sport”. He is the most decorated athlete in the sport which includes two Olympic Gold medals and one Olympic Bronze medal. Mark is also currently ranked number one in the World in his division and is the reigning Olympic Silver medalist. Diana is ranked in the top ten and is the reigning Olympic Bronze medalist. Their dominance in the sport of Taekwondo has opened many doors and continues to allow them financial stability and opportunity.
One of those opportunities was to write a book. Together the siblings collaborated and penned “Family Power: The true story of How “The First Family of Taekwondo” Made Olympic History. The book is the story of all their journeys as a family born to immigrant parents. . “It is our story, our family’s story and I am just so proud that once again we could share it” says Diana. The siblings were able to achieve the American dream through endless hours of training, competitions and sacrifices. The book was released in November and is already in second print. Through book signings, television interviews and social media platforms the family has had a good response to their book. Recently the siblings held a book signing and demonstration of Taekwondo at a local book store. Fans of all ages came out to meet these hometown heroes. The siblings’ ability to adapt and connect with their supporters continues to make them fan favorites.
Companies recognize the siblings marketing potential. Entire advertising campaigns have been built around the Lopezes. AT&T has featured the siblings in a multiplatform media push that includes both English and Spanish language TV ads. In addition, AT&T’s campaign includes radio, online, digital and direct mail. Coca-Cola features Steven Lopez as one of their “Ambassadors of Active Living" to help encourage and inspire people to lead active and balanced lives. As part of the campaign, Steven is one of six athletes that were featured on the cans of a six-pack of Coca-Cola. The branding options for the family vary from their pure athletic abilities and striking good looks to their Hispanic origins. Visa, Hilton Hotels and several others have sponsored and supported the siblings as they continue to expand their marketing potential.
Even the City of Houston has reached out to the Lopez siblings as part of their “My Houston” campaign. In this campaign the siblings are sharing their adoration for Houston. The Lopezes join Beyounce, ZZ top, Carl Lewis, Yao Ming and several other who share their praises and accolades of the City. Mark loves the food and fine dining of Houston, while Diana is a huge fan of shopping. Their spots will be featured both nationally and internationally.

No matter what the public relations campaign may be, it is the sport of Taekwondo where the siblings get most of their recognition. Tournaments are a giant source of revenue for the siblings. In one aspect, the siblings participate and compete in tournaments for prize monies. Purse earnings can be from five thousand to twenty thousand dollars. In addition, the Lopezes serve as hosts of Taekwondo tournaments throughout the year which is a growing entity of their business. In 2010, the Lopezes will also host camps at their gyms. “My goal is to have a camp every quarter” says Jean. Each camp will have different levels of Taekwondo skills and age groups.
Each of the siblings is kept busy with public appearances and speaking engagements. They have spoken in front audicences of Fortune 500 companies to local elementary school children. They are committed to being motivators of the sport and role models on and off the Taekwondo mat.
The siblings are all entrepreneurs with a passion for the sport of Taekwondo. Their entire lives have been committed to family and being champions. Now the siblings have set their sights on the 2012 London Olympics. “God willing, my brothers and I will represent the USA and bring home three Olympic Gold Medals” say Diana. The training, workouts and conditioning will increase as the Olympic trials approach. For now, tournaments and competitions will keep the siblings vying to be ranked number one in the world in their respective divisions.
The immediate outlook for the Lopez family is busy and business as usual. At their Sugar Land gym it is the epicenter for elite Taekwondo athletes to train. Their new Galleria area gym is already signing up students. Their book promotional tour continues to allow the siblings to meet their many supporters. For Jean, Steven, Mark and Diana they have set their minds to making history at the 2012 London Olympic Games by bringing home three Gold medals. It is definitely a Bull Market to be a Lopez sibling.
For information on the Lopez family and their Taekwondo gym go to www.lopeztaekwondo.net.
Sugar Land area gym:
9907 S. Highway Six (near Old Richmond Rd) suite 350
Sugar Land, TX
Galleria area gym:
7615 S. Voss (near San Felipe)
Houston, Tx