The founder-chairman of SDM Group Holdings, Jacky Chiu Ka-lok believes that starting a business is very much like life itself, there are no shortcuts and you cannot expect it to be easy going. "I think persistence and determination are very important in wanting to start one's own business," he told China Daily.

Chiu recalled that when he was a child, he found it very difficult to sit in a classroom all day and he wished there were better ways to learn.

So when he had the opportunity to build an online teaching platform and then open dance centers, he was thrilled. So much so that work makes him "forgot to eat and sleep."

He recalled that when SDM decided to open dance centers in Guangzhou, he was concerned about whether mainland parents would accept their educational philosophy.

This was because typically parents want their children to learn a lot of things from a very young age.

Chiu said his colleagues and he would talk to the parents and ask them to set a clear target about what they wanted, and the parents all said that they wanted their children to be happy and stand out.

"Then we would tell them our educational philosophy and show them that learning did not have to be painful. Children are more willing to learn when they are happy and feel that they are encouraged. We would also show the parents our achievements, the awards and pictures, and the parents would agree with us and trust us."

Chiu stressed that finding the right people to work with is equally important, as entrepreneurship is not all about fighting alone.

"Those who want to start their own business should find like-minded people, who share your beliefs and maybe your targets, as working as a team will give you better a chance to succeed."

Chiu said he believes that the next 10 years will be a great time for youngsters to start their own businesses, thanks to the rapid development of information and technology. "The way that people live their lives is changing and whenever there is change, there is business opportunity. That's why I believe the time for young entrepreneurs has come."

Besides, the development of information and technology has also lowered the costs of starting a business, as just two or three persons can get together to launch a smartphone application and people can just work from home, he added.

"But, as I said, if you choose to launch your own business, you have to be persistent, you have to be determined. You need to have the passion about the industry you work in and you have to work very hard."

sophiehe@chinadailyhk.com

Jacky Chiu Ka-lok yearned for a better way to learn than in a classroom, and that was the inspiration behind his SDM Jazz & Ballet Academie. Parker Zheng / China Daily

(HK Edition 03/21/2016 page8)