Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in language education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sophie Yang, Founder of Modu Korean Pty Ltd, located in Sydney, NSW, Australia.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Modu Korean is the largest online community of K-Pop fans learning Korean together. We teach the Korean language and culture to English-speaking adults from all over the world, all in the comfort of your own home.
Tell us about yourself
I started Modu Korean with pure intent - I felt bad and thankful for K-Pop fans who had such a passion and interest in our culture and wanted to help them communicate on a deeper level with their celebrities. It was supposed to be a volunteer class maybe once a week - but the love and support I received were unbelievable! My students would not allow me to teach them for free, and that's how the ball got rolling. Today, my students are the light of my life! They are passionate, caring, and just absolutely amazing humans. They are the reason I want to be better every day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I had more than 120+ students within 5 months of getting started with no paid marketing and was able to take the leap of faith to making this my full-time gig!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
No one can tell if you're making the right decision - you will always be stuck with a sense of uncertainty and what they call Imposter Syndrome. "Am I doing this right? What's the best solution? What if this is wrong? Should I do this or that?" You will never realise the truth of this until you're in it.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have the right reasons. If it's to 'be your own boss,' then you're in for a rough ride. You need to be absolutely passionate about your cause - would you be willing to work 50-80 hours a week to make it happen?
- Be prepared to learn about a whole bunch of other things - finance, operations, marketing, admin, HR, and more. Being a business owner, in the beginning, means you do EVERYTHING, not just your area of specialisation.
- Take it one day at a time and keep calm :) This is the best advice I was given, and I still remind myself every day. You will have to do endless things, and it's easy to get overwhelmed and stressed at the thought. Have a to-do list each day, and just do that. If you complete your list, then you've had a successful day. By the time you know it, time would've flown by, and you've had weeks and months of 'successful days' - winner.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.modukorean.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModuKorean
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modukorean/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/modu-korean/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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