Joo-han Cha

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED?

by Burke Campbell

Published in the Financial Post

February 4, 2008

Joo-han Cha owns and manages Red Phoenix ( www.redpx.com ), a school that teaches the martial art of Tae Kwon Do, in Calgary, Alberta.  Joo-han Cha tells Burke Campbell what motivated him to become an entrepreneur.

EARLY START:  “I started to learn Tae Kwon Do when I was just six years old. Over time, I became a four-time Korean national champion. I also hold a masters degree in sport psychology.”

NATURAL CHEMISTRY: “My wife Victoria, who comes from Alberta, was working in Korea when she decided to take a martial arts course. I was her instructor and ‘sparring partner’. The sparring led to romantic sparks.”

MAKING THE MOVE: “I arrived in Alberta in 2002.  Victoria believed that people would enjoy learning from me and she encouraged me to open a school. Moving from Vermilion to Calgary , we expanded our teaching facilities.”

NEW COUNTRY: “ Canada has been good to me. I love teaching kids, grown-ups, even families. I have classes full of professionals such as engineers, bankers, professors, even those in the military. Tae Kwon Do has many benefits. One man lost twenty-five pounds. He was very pleased!”

FONDEST WISH: “I am preparing to try out for the Beijing Olympics. I would be so proud to compete in such an arena.”

-30-