Despite the kicks and pitfalls unleashed by the pandemic, Mijo Taekwondo has landed on its feet again in Sooke.
B次元官网网址淢y brother and I had five locations including Sooke, but the pandemic put a huge dent in that,B次元官网网址 said Master Michelle Carpenter, owner of Mijo Taekwondo.
B次元官网网址淲e had to close all five locations. Our fall-back plan was to do classes virtually online to achieve our goal of supporting our existing students, but we had to switch into different career paths to keep afloat.B次元官网网址
For Carpenter, that meant a return to architectural design and work as a college instructor.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 anxious to build the business back up to what it was pre-pandemic,B次元官网网址 Carpenter said. Now the sole owner of Mijo Taekwondo, Carpenter has re-opened in Esquimalt and Sooke through a partnership with SEAPARC Leisure Complex.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 great to be able to partner with SEAPARC and offer live classes again. ItB次元官网网址檚 another example of the community spirit that embodies Sooke.B次元官网网址
When Carpenter took up Olympic-style taekwondo at nine, she recalled it as a primarily male-dominated sport.
However, that didnB次元官网网址檛 prevent her from earning black belt status by the time she turned 12. She began teaching a year later and competed internationally for Team Canada, starting at the age of 15, from 1999 to 2009.
B次元官网网址淚 gained valuable life skills as I forged my path that I believe led me to be a successful business owner,B次元官网网址 she noted. B次元官网网址淚 aim to instill those qualities in my students. Teaching and guiding kids are something that we value deeply. We have all-female instructors who strongly emphasize inclusion and foster a supportive environment for parents and kids alike.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 exciting to return to accommodating students with live classes,B次元官网网址 she added. B次元官网网址淭he response has been great so far, and the community of Sooke has been super supportive.B次元官网网址
Classes at Seaparc Leisure Complex for children from age three up and adults begin in May. Visit for more information or email info@mijotaekwondo.com.
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