Your Name (optional):

Vivienne Poy 

Male/female:

Female 

Culture:

Asian 

City:

Toronto

State/Province: 

Ontario 

Country:

Canada  

Industry: 

Fashion Industry

Company (Optional): 

Vivienne Poy Mode

Job:

President/Designer 

Education:

I went through the Fashion Arts program at Seneca College which was a three year full time program.  I felt that it was absolutely necessary to have all the technical skills in order to work as a designer, aside from an artistic talent and fashion flair.  A general education such as what I had in Liberal Arts, also was a great help.  In my case, as a mature woman, my life experiences also came into play in my business dealings with my customers.

Explain what you did:   

Fashion business in wholesale and retail, as well as custom design.

Why should kids choose your career path?

If they have fashion flair, design and sewing skills, as well as are willing to work very hard.

What would you recommend career wise and how should kids approach/develop their preparation for a working life?  

(A) Kids should go into careers doing what they love, because only by doing that, can you excel.

(B) Good discipline, a sense of business as well as people skills. 

Lessons learned: If you started all over again what would you do differently?  

I would not have done it differently.

A favorite anecdote, phrase, or expression relating to business that inspires you:  

One day I was in my boutique and two American tourists came in.  One said to the other, "Whenever I am in Toronto, I always come into this Boutique; it is like an Art Gallery, every garment is a piece of Art".

Other suggestions or relevant information you would communicate to kids regarding careers in general:  

Only do what you love, so that you look forward to getting up every morning.