Our story began in Lincoln, Rhode Island, where Greg Chopoorian and Kevin Notch were both separately looking for a martial arts option for their kids. Both families happened upon Jonathan Pinault's school: USA Karate, and the journey began. The journey brought two friends together after 11 years of training to school ownership, which happened in 2012 in Smithfield, Rhode Island, under the USA Karate brand, where they served the community for 8 years. Rebranded as Bushido Martial Arts & Fitness, moved to Cumberland, now relocated to Smithfield and adding Maureen Borino as a partner. We expanded in October 2023 to E. Greenwich as Self Defense Northeast, expect more growth as we look to serving more communities in 2025 and beyond!