Entrepreneur Interview Entrepreneur: Jo-Ann Ko By: Morgan Vallee

Jo-Ann Graduated from Markham District High School and then went to Humber college to become a Pharmacist Technician Graduated from Markham District High School and then went to Humber college to become a Pharmacist Technician There are no other entrepreneurs in her family There are no other entrepreneurs in her family Before opening Kicks Dance Studio she was a Pharmacist Technician at East General Hospital Before opening Kicks Dance Studio she was a Pharmacist Technician at East General Hospital On average she works hours per day On average she works hours per day

Background Information on Business Name: Jo-Ann Ko Name: Jo-Ann Ko Owner of Kicks Dance studio Owner of Kicks Dance studio 50 Bullock Drive Unit#6 50 Bullock Drive Unit#6 (905) (905) Website: Website: Year venture began: 1984 Year venture began: 1984

Starting up… Kicks was first opened in 1984 Kicks was first opened in 1984 The financing came from her husband at the time, George Niven The financing came from her husband at the time, George Niven The biggest challenge was to find a location that was large enough and yet, easy to find The biggest challenge was to find a location that was large enough and yet, easy to find She first started in the basement of a church on Main Street Markham She first started in the basement of a church on Main Street Markham In her first year Jo-Ann had only 13 students In her first year Jo-Ann had only 13 students The next year she had 50 students and then 100 students the following year The next year she had 50 students and then 100 students the following year Soon after her husband’s financial help was no longer needed and Kicks moved to a plaza on Hwy 7 Soon after her husband’s financial help was no longer needed and Kicks moved to a plaza on Hwy 7

Goals At the beginning of the venture Jo-Ann’s goals were to achieve self satisfaction and see a positive end result in her students’ dancing At the beginning of the venture Jo-Ann’s goals were to achieve self satisfaction and see a positive end result in her students’ dancing Her goals right now in her business are for all her students and parents to be happy with the service they are getting Her goals right now in her business are for all her students and parents to be happy with the service they are getting

Strengths and Weaknesses Jo-Ann’s strengths: Good Listener Good Listener Organized Organized Trusting Trusting Understanding Understanding Good Public Speaker Good Public Speaker Jo-Ann’s Weaknesses: Too Sensitive Too Sensitive

Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages: Chooses her own hours Chooses her own hours Sleeping in is an option Sleeping in is an option Jo-Ann can take time off easily knowing her studio is still running smoothly Jo-Ann can take time off easily knowing her studio is still running smoothlyDisadvantages: Work is always on her mind Work is always on her mind She will spend time on work at home as well as at the studio She will spend time on work at home as well as at the studio Schedule varies depending on time of year Schedule varies depending on time of year

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Take as many business courses as possible Take as many business courses as possible Marketing and advertising courses will be very useful as well Marketing and advertising courses will be very useful as well Location is the key part of opening a business. Focus attention on finding a proper location Location is the key part of opening a business. Focus attention on finding a proper location Skills needed for venture: artistic talent, dedication and self-motivation Skills needed for venture: artistic talent, dedication and self-motivation

Aspects of owning Kicks Dance Studio Rewarding aspects: Watching her long term students grow up Watching her long term students grow up Seeing students’ happy faces when on stage and in class Seeing students’ happy faces when on stage and in class Having her students share her love of dance Having her students share her love of dance Least Satisfying aspects: Having students move to other dance studios Having students move to other dance studios Having students that do not take dance seriously and waste their parents’ money Having students that do not take dance seriously and waste their parents’ money Dealing with drama in the studio Dealing with drama in the studio

Leisure Time Jo-Ann enjoys to: Swim in her pool Swim in her pool Walk her dogs Walk her dogs Spend time with her family Spend time with her family Watch “So You Think You Can Dance” Watch “So You Think You Can Dance”

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Conclusion I have learned many valuable things from interviewing Jo-Ann I have learned many valuable things from interviewing Jo-Ann One day when I hopefully open my own studio this information will help me a great deal One day when I hopefully open my own studio this information will help me a great deal I have learned that owning a Dance Studio takes a lot more work than I thought it did I have learned that owning a Dance Studio takes a lot more work than I thought it did