Hidden Gems: Meet Jen Zieger of PKSA Karate Detroit

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Zieger.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started? 
I spent my youth growing up in a ballet company. From a young age, I found solace in the disciplined world of dance enjoying the practice, performance, and competition. 

I attended college, studying education with a deep desire to make a tangible impact on the lives of others. Navigating the diverse landscape of urban classrooms, I witnessed the resilience of the students in the face of adversity. 

My oldest daughter started doing karate, and instead of just watching, I started training with her. Karate and the people involved made such a huge positive impact on my family that we decided to open our own PKSA Karate location in Detroit under the guidance of our senior instructors. This is a family business. My three children all help teach and contribute to the success of every student on the mat. 

Karate became a powerful medium through which I could channel my dedication and foster discipline in others. Owning a karate school wasn’t just about teaching self-defense; it was about instilling life values of self-respect, integrity, confidence, fostering growth, building a community, and empowering individuals to develop every aspect of self. 

The journey from ballet to urban teaching to karate ownership was a testament to the transformative power of following my heart and embracing the diverse stages that life offers. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Running an urban karate school poses several business challenges and obstacles. There is high competition in a densely populated area, so there is a need for effective marketing that stands out, securing a suitable and affordable location, continually addressing concerns about safety and security, attracting and retaining a diverse student base, and managing operational costs in urban environments where expenses are higher. We have been so lucky to have an amazing non-profit landlord, CCNDC (Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corporation). CCNDC is an amazing organization, and without them, many of the obstacles would have been unsurmountable. 

We’ve been impressed with PKSA Karate Detroit, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
AT PKSA Karate, we teach the traditional Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do. We give our students a full array of martial arts. Traditional techniques and application, Weapons (multiple weapons certification), Grappling, Reflex Defense & Tactics, Cardio-Kickboxing, Pre-school programs, Stranger Awareness, Family Protection. We also offer ongoing activities that will keep the student excited. This includes tournaments, camps, seminars, parties, and so much more. 

PKSA consistently addresses our social problem of violence, bullying, low self-esteem, confidence, discipline, and integrity in our culture. It doesn’t take much to look around and see how our society is getting more and more volatile. 

Most importantly, we have a community. We all help hold each other accountable, support and encourage individual success, and grow as a unit. 

The kids help teach lower ranks and are learning to be leaders in the dojang to be future world leaders. 

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk, as an entrepreneur, is a daily state of being. Renting the right size space for your business at the right time involves a delicate balance between opportunity and risk. Securing a space that meets your current needs ensures operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. However, there’s a risk of overcommitting or underestimating future growth. 

I think many business owners want to be in their dream space from day one, but this is likely detrimental to the long-term success of the business. We started classes in the community center during the build-out of our first brick-and-mortar space. We were in the community center for a full year, moved into our space, and stayed there for two years, and in our third year, we decided to move into what was our dream space. That move happened in Oct of 2019, pushing the limit of our financial threshold, and taking on debt to make it happen. Then, the world shut down just a few short months later. Thankfully, we had a great relationship with an understanding landlord, a budget, and reserves to sustain, and we were able to adjust immediately to sustain through the pandemic. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pksakaratedetroit.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pksadetroit
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PKSADetroit
• Other: https://www.snapchat.com/add/pksadetroit