A Family Affair

College Owner, Volunteer, Student

When Marija Pavkovic and her best friend Kamea were teenagers, they mused about owning a business they would call MaKami, a combination of their first names.

Marija’s family moved from Yugoslavia to Canada when she was seven years old. She learned to speak English watching Sesame Street and at school. But, she also witnessed her parents struggle in a new country, despite their prominence and education in their former home.

“I saw my parents being treated really badly because they were immigrants… because they didn’t speak the greatest English… because they didn’t necessarily spell everything correctly. And I just thought to myself, ‘There’s got to be a better way to do this.’”

Marija’s mother, Ljubica, a licensed nurse and a Holistic practitioner, had also become a massage therapist. Perhaps this was a field that would provide a career path for Marija—and others. So, in 2001, they decided to open a training centre, called—you guessed it—MaKami College.

“We saw an opportunity to help immigrants, to help single moms, to help people who needed a really excellent career where they could make a good living to support their families, but in a short period of education. Instead of putting people down for certain diversities, we go above and beyond the call of duty to help them.”

To help finance the operation, Marija sold industrial real estate and, in 2005, became the youngest to receive the salesperson of the month award at JJ Barnicke, out-producing senior agents in the firm. Eventually, she was able to direct her energies to full-time marketing and business management at MaKami.

Over the years, Marija and her family—all of whom work at the college—have touched the lives of many… by giving them educations that increase their self esteem… by helping some with rent and family issues…. by providing bursaries to others so they can take the 1,000-hour program at no charge. Clinics are held for seniors and community members at a discounted rate.

The 29-year old makes time to volunteer with the Good Samaritan Society, Fort Edmonton Park, Habitat for Humanity and others. Marija is a Big Sister to Alana, proudly admitting, “She has seriously become my little sister. It’s been great to see the change over the last three years.”

Marija has transferred credits from her NAIT marketing diploma and some university courses to Athabasca University, and is working toward a degree in business management with a minor in marketing.

“I just really enjoy starting new things and creating different opportunities.”