We were lucky to catch up with Doyeob Dee Kim recently and have shared our conversation below.

Doyeob Dee, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Before founding YUP (Young Universal Players) Tennis Academy with my wife, I had envisioned starting my own academy since I was 13. My goal was to create a better environment for junior players, offering the guidance I lacked in my journey—wasting time and money on unsuitable coaches and not having the right information for tournaments or college recruiting. I wanted to build a tennis community where players, regardless of background, could thrive and enjoy the game without worry.

Though I had my goals, executing them seemed challenging. I thought I needed substantial resources—my own tennis facility, years of experience, permits, and financial stability. I believed this dream would happen later in life maybe in my 50s or even 60s. However, before I married my wife, at an earlier stage of our relationship, she inspired me to act sooner by telling me, “God gave you wonderful talents and gifts to use now. Why wait for opportunities when you can go out and create them?” That was the moment I realized I could start small and build gradually.

At the time, I was already a USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association; now RSPA, Racquet Sports Professionals Association) certified coach, but securing an authorized facility was one of my biggest challenges. Public courts don’t typically allow private lessons without authorization, and I wasn’t financially ready to build my own. For nearly a year, I searched for opportunities, praying and knocking on doors, giving lessons by traveling between public courts, often visiting multiple locations in a day. It was tough, but it taught me the value of persistence. Eventually, I secured partnerships with Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation and Rowland Unified School District, which allowed me to start running my own tennis lesson programs first at an authorized tennis facility. However, I’m still in the search of getting approvals on hosting tennis events for all levels and ages, but I’m getting closer every day and I can confidently say that I will make this idea come true as well just like how I acquired authorized tennis courts to provide better tennis lesson environments.

My journey has shown me that you don’t need everything perfectly in place to start. The important thing is that I took the first step, and each day I’m getting closer to realizing my full vision. Without my wife’s encouragement, I might still be waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment, but now I’m actively turning my dreams into reality. For anyone with a dream, I’ve learned that execution matters more than waiting for the ideal time. If I had waited, I’d still be dreaming. By taking small steps, I’m turning my vision into reality.

Doyeob Dee, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

In the summer of 2006, when I was twelve years old, I was introduced to tennis by a friend who suggested we take a group lesson together during summer vacation. As a typical boy who enjoyed a variety of sports, I had no idea that this invitation would change my life forever.

From the moment I picked up a racquet, I fell in love with tennis like never before. Unsure if it was sheer passion or latent talent, my coach approached my parents and me with a serious question: would I be interested in pursuing tennis more seriously? Despite my young age and innocence, the prospect of potentially providing for my family, who had immigrated from South Korea when I was nine, fueled my desire to seize this opportunity.

However, my journey was filled with challenges. I soon discovered that my initial coach was more concerned with financial gain than nurturing my development as a professional player. Despite the setbacks and the heartbreak of realizing my coach’s true intentions, I refused to let go of my dream of becoming a tennis pro. Instead, I channeled that disappointment into a new goal: starting my own tennis academy.

Since the age of thirteen, I have harbored a vision of creating a supportive environment where aspiring young players, like myself, could pursue their dreams without the obstacles my family and I faced. I wanted everyone starting tennis to have fun, enjoy their tennis life, build self-confidence, and grow stronger both mentally and physically. Did you know that tennis is considered the number one sport for longevity? It can add nearly ten years to your life.

Now I am a RSPA (aka USPTA) licensed professional tennis coach and the co-founder of YUP Tennis Academy. I am humbled to be recognized for my dedication, passion, and integrity in coaching and in creating a better tennis environment for everyone. Surprisingly, what sets me apart from others is my commitment to righteousness in all circumstances such as, I prioritize sharing tennis courts with others rather than monopolizing them. Most importantly, I view my students not as financial gains, but as individuals whose well-being I genuinely care about. I strive to ensure my students’ problems are solved by providing tailored guidance that considers each student’s unique personality, style, and goals.

One of the things I am most proud of is having the privilege to share my story with the wonderful audience at CanvasRebel Magazine. Therefore, my today’s message for the audience is that my goal is simple but cannot be achieved alone: ensuring that many people, regardless of their background, can enjoy their tennis life to the fullest with the right guidance in the right environment. My prayer is for everyone’s health and happiness.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe I am still in the process of building my reputation and have much more to learn. However, I’m blessed to have reached this point, receiving the 2024 USPTA U30 Elevate Award, which reflects my recognition as a tennis coach and a tennis enthusiast who genuinely cares about others’ well-being. My commitment to doing what is right in all circumstances has been key to my growth.

As one of my mentors wisely said, “If you ever find yourself needing to make a decision, always choose the ‘right’ path. Even if it takes you longer, you’ll end up with a much more beautiful view than if you had chosen otherwise. Good things will come if you prioritize doing good.”

I am blessed to work alongside incredible individuals, and together, we are creating an environment where everyone can grow and learn from one another. I wouldn’t be here today without the generous support from those around me. Achieving my goals is an ongoing journey, and I believe this pursuit will continue for the rest of my life.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been focusing on individual needs and providing tailored guidance for their satisfaction, driven by genuine passion. I realized that while people may share similarities, everyone is blessed with unique talents. My goal is to bring out these natural abilities, elevate their skills, and help them recognize their potential to improve their game. Once they realize their true capabilities, it enhances their joy in life both on and off the court. This transformation often leads to word-of-mouth referrals, which have significantly contributed to my business growth.

Ultimately, since most businesses are built on personal connections, client satisfaction is crucial for success. However, I’ve learned that before I can satisfy others, I need to love what I do. Every entrepreneur has passion, but enjoying my work is essential, as the process of growth can be challenging. As mentioned earlier, without a genuine passion for what I do, it becomes difficult to endure hardships, as success rarely comes easily.

Therefore, I believe the most effective strategy is to first love what I do and embrace the opportunity to help others. In addition, maintaining good health is essential for us to continue doing what we love. I’ve come to realize that taking care of my body is vital to sustaining my passion. So, I encourage everyone to stay healthy and strong. God bless you all.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/do___yup/
• Other: https://voyagela.com/interview/daily-inspiration-meet-doyeob-dee-kim?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYR6iUkL_5lp4wmjjz_dqpkTDBzVtZ1feaEib1Q_6Xat_f9xARtqp2HkNw_aem_rAPU6W_-m0Xowqflk80gXA