The Arab American News is continuing to keep track of community entrepreneurs who are launching new businesses in Metro Detroit and contributing to the region’s economic growth and stability. Below is a preview of two new atypical businesses in town.
Zooka Box
Zooka Box is an internet-powered TV provider that allows viewers to watch 450 Arabic channels from the Middle East. It arrived in Michigan about three months ago. Jawdat Ead is the authorized retailer of the device in the State.
The channels that Zooka Box provides include news channels; Rotana music and movie channels; and MBC and Al Jazeera sports channels, which broadcast major European soccer games.
The box also has popular Lebanese channels, like AlJadeed and Future TV, along with over 30 Iraqi channels.
The service costs $38 a month, with a 2 year-contract. The receiver is free with the contract.
Customers can pay $175 upfront for the box, lowering their monthly payment to $30.
No credit check is required, but subscribers must have a credit, or debit card for the monthly payment to be taken electronically.
Zooka Box requires a minimum internet speed of 6.0 mbps. It can also operate as a personal computer. It connects to wifi, has an internet browser and can download apps.
Subscribers can get a free wireless keyboard for the box, if they refer new customers to the service.
The box only operates on one television set. An additional box for the same household costs $17 a month.
For questions about Zooka Box, call Ead at 313.523.1983.
Detroit Kali Silat
Detroit Kali Silat is a martial arts school that opened in Dearborn last May. The school operated in Detroit for 20 years, but moved to Dearborn recently to be near other martial arts schools in the City.
“We love Dearborn. We love the community. When we saw an opportunity to come here, we jumped at it,” said co-instructor Bassam Hamoud.
Instructor Jeff Davidson says what makes Kali Silat different from other martial arts schools is that it trains students for “real world self-defense.”
“Other martial arts schools are competition-oriented,” he said. “But here, we focus on self-defense. We have trained police officers and bodyguards.”
According to Davidson, Kali Silat originated in the Middle East and was brought to Southeast Asia, as a form of Dawah (invitation to the teachings of Islam). It became an established school in Malaysia.
Students can receive unlimited training at Detroit Kali Silat for $100 a month. No experience, or specific fitness level, is required. The school admits students age 12 and up. Children younger than 12 can be admitted, but would have to be individually evaluated for training first.
The school is currently running a referral program. Any trainees, who refer new students, will get one month for free.
Detroit Kali Silat is located at 13939 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. For more information, call Davidson at 248.981.7495.
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