Phoebe Man, Taiko Drum Performer and Instructor

Dream came true

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"When I was young, I always wanted to learn how to drum, back in Hong Kong. I was really young and my mom wouldn't let me because it was a boy thing to do. Girls wouldn't drum.

"That dream didn't really come about until I was 29. I realize that this is really where I want to be."

Workplace images

Learned the basics

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"I did learn English when I was in Hong Kong, in school. I could speak it; I just never had to in Hong Kong.

"In class we had to learn certain things, but we never really conversed with each other.

"Hanging around with people who only spoke English really helped a lot."

Lots of practice

When my family first moved here, we operated a grocery store. Just by talking to people in English on a regular basis about everyday things I learned how to speak fluently. Being surrounded by people that speak the language helped expand my vocabulary.

I listen to a lot of radio and watch TV too. I also read a lot - the newspaper, a book, whatever is around, it all helps. I believe you have to use the language as much as possible. That's what helps me improve my English.

Putting up barriers

I think that the language is still a little bit of a barrier for me because my mother tongue is Chinese (Cantonese). Sometimes I put that barrier up myself because of shyness or nervousness. It's just fear, which can be overcome.

One of the most important things to remember is to be confident in yourself and to just do the best that you can do. People are usually understanding if your English is weak, they are generally willing to help you any way they can.

Good for business

Being able to write well in English is really important for me because I have to write a lot of grant applications to receive funding for some of my projects.

When I write a grant application it has to be well written and professional; that would be difficult to do if your English was limited. Having good English writing skills helps ensure that I can get grant money when I need it.

Also, I am very fortunate to have good friends who are always ready to help.

Plans changed

When I took the business management program at SEED, I had plans to run a business teaching Taiko drumming.

Performing was just something I wanted to do on the side, but as my plans developed, I understood that I would be more successful both teaching and performing as a freelance artist.

Created business plan

I worked with drumming ensembles for many years where everything was always being taken care of administratively. We used to perform as well as instruct groups of people.

When I eventually left the group I saw that I could do it on my own if I planned it right. Once I had the focus, jobs just began coming to me.

Biggest challenge

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"[My biggest challenge is] setting rates for my work, setting a price, trying to put a dollar sign onto what I do. Because what I do is coming from the heart. So it's really hard for me to put the two together.

"That's why my accounting really is not in a good place, because I don't think in terms of money. That's a really tricky part."

Marketing for clients

Getting my name out in the community and getting business was another element that I faced in the beginning. Networking was very important for me because I don't advertise and I don't have a website. All the work that I get is through word of mouth and reputation.

I started out with the City of Winnipeg, doing sessions for the Leisure Guide, and then I just worked my way into schools and community groups.

Lots of encouragement

SEED Winnipeg really did encourage me and helped me get started.

While they helped me with the business aspect of it, it was more the trust and the faith that they had in me that helped me to see that I could do it.

Good friends supported me too. And spirituality, particularly Buddhism, also helped me to overcome a lot of barriers.

Flexible and open minded

In the beginning it was a real big challenge for me to make enough income to pay the bills by only teaching and performing Taiko.

I had to do a lot of jobs that weren't exactly what I had planned to do. I would take on just about any type of arts-related work, which actually gave me great experience. I was even a puppeteer a couple of times. It really helps to be flexible and open-minded

Now, since I've been doing this for a while, I can be more selective. I have a lot more options as to what I do for work.

Making drums

As I teach Taiko drumming in schools and to community groups, I knew that it would be important for each student to have their own drum for the sessions.

Because actual Taiko are expensive and difficult to get, I made my own drums for the students. I cut the bottoms off of big plastic garbage cans and made a skin out of clear packing tape. They work really well.

Health issues

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"I am dealing with some health issues because of the drums, because for three years I was doing this non-stop, teaching from school to school.

"I had to lug 27 drums - two Taiko drums and 25 garbage can drums that have been converted into Taiko drums. So I had to carry all those drums from place to place, which means you have to be pretty strong.

"I was strong and I did it for years, but now I just need to take a break from that. It was just a bit too much for me."

My own projects

Right now I'm trying to apply for grants so that I can pursue my own projects. I have been doing other people's projects all along and now I just need to think about what I want to create as an artist, what sort of projects I want to do.

This is a time to refocus and reassess, even though it's largely because of my health that I have to stop. I really believe that everything happens for a reason and this is where my path is going right now.

Follow-up from SEED

The business counsellors from SEED really helped me understand the accounting part of business, and how to prepare to do my income tax.

During the time that I was part of the program as well as afterward, SEED provided lots of moral support and encouragement.

That support continues on today. If I need help with anything I know I can just call them and they are there for me.

Cost of living different

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"When we first moved to Canada I was 14 . From what I remember, the cost of living was really low in Hong Kong. It can be high depending on what your choices are, but it can be very minimum if you don't care for luxuries.

"It is a little bit cheaper than other places just because of the currency. I think you can live cheaply in Hong Kong, if you can find the right places.

"Winnipeg is still relatively cheap compared to other cities [in Canada]."

Transportation differences

It's much easier to travel in Hong Kong compared to Winnipeg. I remember my parents and I would take a cab, a bus or walk; everything seemed close by. Now Hong Kong has the subway system too, which would be really convenient.

In Winnipeg, it's harder to get around the city. The buses are a great system if you don't have to carry much with you. I have 27 drums that I have to take with me when I'm teaching. I have to have my own vehicle anywhere I live; otherwise I wouldn't be able to do my job.

Hong Kong busier

The pace in Hong Kong is rather fast, a bit of a rat race, so it can be a tough place to live. Sometimes I think about going there and doing my work, but I'm not really sure what that would be like. I don't think I'd really like to live there because it's too urban for me.

Advice on adapting

I think it's important to spend time with people who speak English and to observe what life is like here rather than sticking only to your own community.

Keep an open mind so that you can experience and explore life here. Also, remember there is always help out there for you. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Love nature

I enjoy going for walks and seeing nature. I like how easy it is to get out of the city to some kind of wilderness. There are many parks and green spaces that you can go visit, it's not that difficult if you have a car to go out into the country and get away from the confines of the city.

I just love the peacefulness of being outside and relaxing.

Frostbite and snow

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"I got frostbite the first year in Winnipeg. It was so cold but I guess I was so young that I didn't even really realize that I was cold. My ear went numb and then I realized it was frostbite. That kind of freaked me out a little bit.

"The snow was a highlight. That was really something different. I lived in Vancouver for one year after moving from Hong Kong and it melted right away. It was quite disappointing."

Learning to love winter

I'm learning to embrace winter.

I really like walking outside in the snow. It can be refreshing. You just have to have enough winter clothing on!

A balanced life

I believe that if you're happy doing what you do for work, then you'll never really be off balance. Even though my music is my work, when I need a place of peace I go to my music as well. If I ever feel stressed or need to relax I play my drums and feel a lot better.

Because my work is so intertwined in my home life, I am happy.

Many interests

I have many different interests and one is that I'd really like to learn Spanish. I have a friend in Spain who is a flamenco dancer and I would like to go there and learn to sing and dance as well.

When I perform I like to have my performances reflect who I am as an individual. I really want to be able to add the Spanish language and dance to my performances.

Staying happy

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"I think I'd like to be at a place where I could schedule myself so that I could do some teaching, some performing and some creating; all of these things incorporated into my time.

"Basically what I want is to be able to generate enough income to live and do my work.

"I don't have big goals about being famous or being rich. It's really just about being happy doing what I do."

Plan "B"

I've thought a little bit about what I would do if I couldn't drum or perform anymore. I think I would want to be a letter carrier. That would be like a dream job to me. I could walk around and have my own space and just think. My goal is to stay in the arts, but if I couldn't, postal work would be my next choice.

Travel and learn more

In the future I would really like to travel across Canada, North America, even other places around the world. I would like to involve people in my projects who are from somewhere besides Canada. I'd like to be able to teach as well as learn from others all over.

SEED Winnipeg

SEED Winnipeg is a non-profit agency that works to combat poverty and assists in the renewal of Winnipeg's inner city. SEED offers business management training and individual consulting, access to micro-enterprise loans, asset building programs, and more. SEED Winnipeg has three main programs:

Build a Business (BAB)
Business management training, help with writing a business plan, access to business financing, and support after business start. Clients in SEED's Youth BAB can receive a living allowance and can participate in SEED's Saving Circle program.

Community and Worker Ownership Program (CWOP)
Assistance to groups of people/organizations who are interested in starting or expanding a cooperative, community-owned business or social enterprise. Services include business idea generation, group assessments, help in developing a governance structure, help with writing a business plan, access to business financing, and business management/professional development workshops and support after business start.

Asset Building Programs
Help low-income participants to save for productive assets or household necessities. Program supports include money management training, one-to-one financial counselling, and matched savings credits that are added to the funds that participants save on their own.

The SEED Winnipeg website also has a list of useful links for:
Small business
Savings programs
Community Economic Development

C/M Business Service Centre

The Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre (CMBSC) is a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba. It co-ordinates support for small business in Manitoba, delivering services from 38 federal sources, 13 provincial departments and five private sector partners.

Here are just a few examples of what they offer:

Live Seminars

(Online) Interactive Business Planner
Users can prepare a three-year business plan for a new or existing business, using a question and answer format.

Online Small Business Workshop
Tutorial exploring the concepts for setting up a small business.

Other Business Support

Business Start-Up

YMCA Self-Employment Program
This program helps unemployed Canadians eligible for Employment Insurance Benefits to start and successfully operate their own businesses. Funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, it provides income support and business skills development services.
This program is also delivered in Winnipeg by Meyers Norris Penny as the "Self-Employment Program ".

Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba
The Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba (WECM) is a non-profit supported primarily by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD). The goal of the WECM is to provide support from business start-up to sustainability by offering services in three key areas: training, advice and loans for business start-up and growth. The WEC works in partnership with a variety of corporate and community partners such as banks, credit unions, and chambers of commerce to promote entrepreneurship as an option to women throughout Manitoba.

Business Start Program
This is a loan guarantee program with a free three-day Business Planning Workshop. Loans to new owner-managed businesses are guaranteed by the Manitoba Government.

Ongoing Support for Business

BizCoach Manitoba
BizCoach Manitoba Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides business mentoring services to small businesses. Entrepreneurs can seek guidance from experienced business owners on the many facets of business such as:
• Start-up, Growth and Expansion
• Access to Capital
• Sales and Marketing
• Networking and Succession Planning
• Financial and Human Resource Management

Manitoba Marketing Network Inc.
The Manitoba Marketing Network is a private/public partnership between members of Manitoba's business community and the Department of Industry, Trade and Mines. Its purpose is to provide free, practical marketing advice to small business owner/operators.

Developing Your Skills

Business Education and Training

These programs are available in addition to the programs listed in the previous sections:

Red River College
Business Administration

Assiniboine Community College - Brandon
Business Administration

University College of the North
Business Administration

Communication Skills

Learn English
Funded by Manitoba Labour and immigration

Essential Skills

Essential Skills are the skills needed for work, learning and life. They help you learn other skills and adapt to change.

The most important Essential Skills for Small Business Owner-Operators are:
• Oral Communication
• Problem Solving
• Decision Making
• Job task planning and organizing
• Significant Use of Memory
• Finding Information
• Working With Others

For more information, see the Essential Skills website

Business associations

Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce is the leading organization representing business in our community.

Manitoba Home Business Advisory Council
The Manitoba Home Business Advisory Council, formed in September 2003, was established as "a voice" for home business owners in Manitoba. It provides education, awareness, advocacy and networking opportunities for home business owners.