I began my fashion journey at the age of seven. I remember the day clearly. My mom brought home an outfit and I didn’t like it. I told her from now on, not to buy clothes for me unless I was with her.
In 1999, I studied fashion design at the International Academy of Design and Technology (IAOD) in Toronto. First, I had taken textile design in high school for 2 years and, I won the textile design award in my senior year. After I completed the program and returned to Vancouver, I graduated from Vancouver Community College (VCC). And I was proud to wear my gown and cap to receive the Fashion Merchandising Certificate. I designed and constructed the black suede skirt while attending IAOD as well as the corset dress in the featured photo when I was at VCC Fashion.
Suede skirt I designed
Columnist
And then fast forward to 2022, I had my own column at Capilano Courier called “CapU, What Are You Wearing?”. In the column, I interviewed faculty and students on campus to ask about their outfits and in the process found out more about the people behind the clothes. It was a fun way to get to know the Capilano University community better and combine my love of vogue with my passion for writing.
Thrifted Fashion
Currently, my fashionista ways has turned thrift shopping into an addiction. If you are interested in having your own style and enjoy clothes shopping, you should start thrifting. It is like a modern day treasure hunt and adventure. The best part is you never know what unique items that you will find.
What’s more is that there are thrift stores all across Metro Vancouver, but some of the best are in East Van such as My Sister’s Closet, Miscellany Thrift and Vintage and Still Fabulous. And in North Vancouver, my favourite is Clothes For A Change and Good Stuff Connection. For online shopping, my favourite is my own pop-up boutique, Mobile Vintage By M and M and Facebook Marketplace. I created an Instagram and Facebook profiles dedicated to thrifted finds.
FI INC.
Finally, I launched my website in 2018 in combination with my digital marketing business FI INC. I started an interview series that I originally named Babes Promoting Babes where I featured local small business owners and the people behind the businesses.
If you would like to find out more about my blog and interview series read the interview on myself.
Today, August 15, marks exactly 3 weeks since Osric, my fur nephew has been staying with me. His dad and one of my besties is moving and I offered to look after him. I don’t know how long I will have him, but I am enjoying every minute of it. During this time, I have learned 5 wonderful things from him.
Drink lots of water! Every opportunity Oz has to ferociously lap at a bowl of water he does–whether it’s here at my home or at the dog parks in North Vancouver. In particular, the park at Harbourside Seawall and the smaller one beside Waterfront Park, near the Lonsdale Quay Market and seabus station.
Osric drinking water at the dog park at Harbourside Seawall in North Vancouver, BC.
2. He taught me to stretch more. After taking a nap, sitting or lying down in the same position, Oz always stretches. The yoga pose, Down Dog has several benefits: it elongates your spine, strengthens the muscles in your arms, upper back and shoulders. hands, wrists and fingers, opens up the backs of your legs and improves circulation, and relieves tension and stress.
My Fur Nephew is The Best Dog I Have Ever Met
3. Be sociable. Osric has a great personality and is friendly with everyone, human or dog. I have never seen him get mad — when I accidentally wake him up from a nap, take a little longer to get ready or I am slow to keep up with his fast pace. He is very relaxed and even-keeled.
4. And take daily walks! Walking lowers your blood sugar levels, high blood pressure and increases your metabolism. It will help you to live longer. Japan has one of the largest number of centenarians in their country because they walk a lot and eat a lot of seafood. Luckily for me, I have been taking Osric out for 3 walks a day.
Osric at Harbourside Seawall and dog park.
5. Also, don’t stay mad at your loved ones. I just yelled at Mama and shortly after I did, my fur nephew came to check on me. He rubbed the top of his head on my leg a couple of times–like don’t be mad. My heart just melted and all the anger disappeared. He is such a wonderful addition to my family and it makes me sad that I won’t be able to see him everyday when Ben takes him back.
Queen’s Academy of the Arts is a local small business that offers musical theatre programs for children between the ages of 4 to 12 online and in person in Burnaby and Coquitlam. There are after school classes, summer camps and music lessons (voice, guitar and piano) all available on a sliding scale.
I first met Queen at a Capilano Students’ Union (CSU) event at Capilano University. She is a Musical Theatre Diploma graduate, currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the university and the founder and instructor of Queen’s Academy of The Arts.
M: When did you open your business?
Q: I began offering free musical theatre classes in 2013 and registered as a business; Queen’s Academy of The Arts in 2020.
M: Did you always want to own your own business?
Q: I started teaching classes to kids as a passion project and I discovered that teaching and running a business could be a future career. It combines what I love; teaching and working with kids, and the performing arts.
Queen’s Academy Fall 2019 Musical Theatre Class
Queen’s Academy was born
M: What was your inspiration for your business?
Q: Since I was little, I’ve loved to perform. My mom put me in classes, but I knew they were too expensive for us, so I withdrew. Only, that didn’t stop me, instead it gave me the inspiration and drive to run my own business.
M: When did you start teaching children?
Q: At age 12, I began offering free musical theatre classes to feed my passion for the arts. And eight years later launched my business. I believe all kids deserve the opportunity to enrich their lives through the arts. But I know some families face difficulties or financial barriers. This is why I have made my program more affordable than competitors and I have also created an inclusive sponsorship program to make classes more accessible.
Queen’s Academy Spring 2019 Musical Theatre Show
Accessible Musical Theatre Programs
M: Did you grow up in Vancouver?
Q: I have lived in the Lower Mainland and Burnaby since I was a kid! It is my passion to bring families together through Queen’s Academy and make performing arts accessible to create connection and community.
M: Would you advise others to pursue a degree before opening their own business?
Q: I began running my business teaching my children’s programs while pursuing a Musical Theatre Diploma and Bachelors of Arts Degree at Capilano University. Pursuing an education in the field that my company specializes in has helped me obtain the skills to feel confident in the field. I would advise you to do what will lead you to the most success.
M: What would your advice to future owners with dreams of owning their own business be?
Q: As long as you are passionate and determined anything is possible!
If youwould like to know more about Queen’s Academy of the Arts and their musical theatre programs, voice and music lessons, please visit their website and follow their Instagram.
In honour of Indigenous History month, I recently attended the Capilano University Canoe Awakening Ceremony for Skw’cháys. The university commissioned carvers Ses siyam (Ray Natraoro) and Xats’alanexw siyam (Victor Harry) to create the Coast Salish Canoe for their 50th Anniversary.
The female family members awakened Skw’cháys with cedar branches and wore blankets to protect their hearts from spirits. While Ses siyam, Xats’alanexw siyam and the other male family members played music and sang a historical song. Traditionally, if a canoe is not awakened, riding on it will feel heavy and sluggish. But when the canoe is awake, it will be buoyant and travel faster. I wanted to capture the ceremony in photos but an Indigenous Faculty member told me that I shouldn’t. I should be present in body, mind and spirit. And I am thankful that she advised me not to.
On the day of the ceremony, Skw’cháys was awakened in preparation for the upcoming 2023 Convocation. He will be put to sleep again in the fall. The ceremonies mark the beginning and end of the students academic journey at Capilano University.
Capilano University Canoe Awakening Ceremony for Skw’cháys
I am grateful that the Indigenous Student Services welcomed us to witness the ceremony. And I was fortunate to able to listen to Squamish Nation Elder Rose Nahanee speak for the second time. The first time was at the Fall 2019 Welcome Orientation when I started the Bachelor of Communications program.
Capilano University Calling
In 2019, Elder Rose spoke about how that morning the canoe symbolized a journey home for her and the Squamish Nation. Further, she said that we all chose Capilano University, but CapU also chose us too. This hit home for me. During my senior year of high school, when the UBC, SFU and CapU recruiters came, I knew I wanted to go to there. I felt it so strongly inside of me. A knowing. Capilano was calling me.
Capilano University Birch Building
Today, she also spoke about how we are all on a journey whether we are students, faculty or staff at CapU. Once again Elder Rose’s words resonated with me. The last four years at Capilano has been a wonderful journey that has marked many successes in my student career.
“Stand Tall and Proud ” — Elder Rose Nahanee
During my fist term, I joined the Capilano Young Women in Business Club as their social media consultant and I became the Secretary for the Capilano Radio Club. Now, I am the VP of Cap Radio and in 2022, I joined the CSU Surf Club. Since 2019, I have been a contributor and in 2022 a columnist at Capilano Courier. And since 2021, one of the editors of Liar Zine.
I proudly served four years as Capilano Students’ Union’s (CSU) Mature and Parent Students Liaison and three as the Chairperson of CSU’s Collectives Committee. Finally, I am excited to begin my role as one of the Student Representatives of the Board of Governors in August.
After the Awakening Ceremony, I spoke with Elder Rose Nahanee and told her how I love her speeches. She thanked me and asked me what program I was in. I told her my major and my involvement with the CSU and my new role with the Board of Governors. She told me to continue with that, there are not enough women involved.
“Stand tall and proud,” Elder Rose said during her speech. I am.
The first time I was a guest North Vancouver’s 16 WEST Restaurant was in August 2022, two months after they opened and I loved it! I had a four course meal with wonderful wine pairings.
I recently had the opportunity to interview 16 WEST’s owner and gracious host, Brooke Naito-Campbell.
M: You opened the doors to 16 WEST in the summer of 2022. What has the first year been like (almost the first year)?
B: 16 WEST opened on June 24, 2022 and the first year has been great. A gradual organic growth through word of mouth. Not as busy as we had hoped, but guests from Hachiro would come in so happy and excited saying, “I’m so glad you’re still here!” They weren’t sure what happened to us and they were worried we were gone.
Hachiro Ramen Transformed into 16 WEST
M: I did not get a chance to visit your previous restaurant, Hachiro Ramen. Besides the cuisine, what has been the main difference in running the two different restaurants?
B: Definitely more experienced servers with wine knowledge. We have a wine director and sommelier, Brendan Jones on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays who has curated a wine list for us, mainly local BC wines, but we are looking into curating international wines because our guests have been asking.
16 WEST Restaurant Wines
M: Was Hachiro the first North Vancouver restaurant you and your brother, Stephen opened?
B: Yes, Stephen went to Japan and studied how to make ramen before opening Hachiro. We opened 6 months before COVID hit. It was really hard. But I wanted to fight for our restaurant!
Hachiro had become a take-out restaurant. I wanted to change the menu into more of an izakaya and serve appies and cocktails, but a lot of the guests that came in just wanted a bowl of ramen.
“I am passionate about 16 WEST!”
M: How did 16 WEST come to be? Was it your idea or was it someone else’s?
B: I had a beautiful restaurant and it made me sad to leave it. So my friends, some employees that were there and I thought, what do we need in North Vancouver? What are we passionate about? What would feed the community?
We first thought of a Spanish tapas but then we thought a menu that’s not tied to one kind of food. We could serve French, Italian and Spanish. I love a wine bar and I am passionate about 16 WEST and so is my team.
M: What was your inspiration for the menu? Did you work together with your head chef or did you leave it to them?
B: Our menu is a collaboration between me and Jorge Camacho. He is from Dublin’s La Maison. French Bistro. We work really well together. Our coffee cake, biscuits and all our desserts are made by his best friend, Andrea Lopez.
16 WEST Head Chef Jorge Camacho and Owner Brooke Naito-Campbell
M: What is your favourite dish? (lunch, brunch, dinner)?
B: My favourite for lunch is the meatball sub. It is really good. One of my favourites for brunch is the steak hash, and for dinner the mushroom risotto with seared Hokkaido scallops (they will be on the menu shortly) and the mussels.
M: 16 WEST is now open for brunch on the weekends and lunch on weekdays. What is the busiest time? Are there certain times/days we should make a reservation?
B: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday nights and brunch on the weekends are the busiest times. We always have the bar open for walk-ins and we will be opening the patio soon for the warmer weather and walk-ins. Our patio is also dog-friendly.
Central Lonsdale Community
M: What is the best part of being located in Central Lonsdale?
B: Central Lonsdale needed a cool, hip restaurant. A hidden gem. It needed love. Lower Lonsdale has all the restaurants. Central Lonsdale is getting developed. 16 WEST is one of the few restaurants with a watering hole.
16 WEST FEATURE WINES
M: Being located in the heart of North Vancouver, in Central Lonsdale, do you feel a sense of community?
B: Yes, I feel the sense of community with our guests. We have some who have stayed with us since Hachiro and have become friends. One such guest, Susan brought a friend who asked me if I have ever thought of hosting a drag show. And I had! Thus our drag show brunches was born!
North Vancouver Roots
M: I read that you grew up in North Vancouver. What area? Where did you go to school?
B: I grew up in Pemberton Heights. I went to Capilano Elementary from Kindergarten to grade 7 and then high school in Arizona where my mom is from.
M: Did you always know that you would own a business? What did you want to be when you grew up?
B: No, I had no idea. Hahaha…what did I want to be when I grew up? As a kid I wanted to do the usual singing, dancing and as a teen I wanted to be a cosmetologist. I was a hair stylist for a long time before opening the restaurants.
After my daughter was born, I turned to food and hospitality because it was something I was around all my life and am passionate about. My dad was the Executive VP of Okabe Company that used to own Coast Hotels.
And now, my daughter, Mika loves to help me set up on the weekends: lighting candles, setting the tables and even expediting the food orders. She loves it!
16 WEST Gnocchi
M: What would your advice to future entrepreneurs with dreams of owning their own business be?
B: Owning a restaurant is tough. Surround yourself with great people. People that you trust and more experienced than you. I have learned so much and I am so grateful that we got through COVID.
M: Do you have a philosophy in life or a famous quote you would like to share?
B: This too shall pass. It’s something I always tell myself and it is true.
16 WEST Hosts Events
M: Is there anything else you would like to share?
B: Right now we are focusing on meaningful events. We host a realtors luncheon and we have an upcoming women’s networking lunch.
In August we will have a PRIDE event with my husband coming out of retirement to be our DJ and drag queens. I am also in the beginning stages of organizing a fundraiser for ALS because my dad passed away from the disease.
If you have an idea for an event, please contact Brooke at kitchen@naitohospitality.com. To book a reservation call: 604.988.7561 or book online. If you would like to learn more about Central Lonsdale’s one of a kind wine restaurant and bar, please visit their website and follow them on Instagram.
If you are looking for something to do this BC Family Day long weekend, you don’t have to look far. My longtime bff and I just went for an amazing Sunday brunch at Catch 122 in the Shipyards District. Although they were crazy busy when I called, the hostess set us up on their waitlist using the Open Table app.
While I waited for Mona to pick me up, I received a text letting me know that our table was ready. I was able to select an option that said we’re on our way so that the restaurant would save it for us. I’m so grateful for this system because when we arrived the wait was over an hour.
I ordered their Huevos Rancheros and my gf had their Seasonal French Toast. It looked like a huge piece of cake and was so filling that she took half of it home. Both were delicious and our server, Anna provided us with great customer service.
Delicious French Toast at Catch 122
2. Go to MONOVA (Museum of North Vancouver) at 115 West Esplanade, just steps from Lonsdale Quay and the Seabus station. They have a wonderful Indigenous exhibit, a beautiful gift shop and are hosting a Family Day Event tomorrow from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Amission is free all day long!
When you are a member you will receive a 10% discount on the merchandise in their gift shop as well as your guests admission to the museum. I purchased Northwest Coast artist, Kelly Robinson‘s Raven Transforming small porcelain dish (shown in the photo below) and the matching platter.
Northwest Coast artist, Kelly Robinson’s Raven Transforming fine porcelain dish
3. MONOVA is also hosting a free virtual Coast Salish Wool Weaving Event tomorrow from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. The free tickets are available on EventBrite. The museum made it very easy to register for the tickets and pick up the bracelet making supplies. Tsawasiya Spukwas (Alice Guss), MONOVA’s Indigenous Cultural Programmer will be teaching the participants about Coast Salish wool weaving and showing us how to make a wool bracelet. I can’t wait! I registered my Mama and I for the workshop.
Coast Salish Wool Weaving Supplies from MONOVA
4. If you love thrift shopping as much as Mona and I, there are 3 shops in Lower Lonsdale that you should check out. First time for both us was Wild Honey Vintage, a curated collection from sisters, Joanie and Sarah. Their boutique is in a cozy space that makes you feel like you’re walking into your friend’s living room.
A block up on Lonsdale, is Hunter and Hare, consignment shop with an assortment of goodies: jewelry, hair accessories, shoes, purses, clothing, candles, essential oils and journals. I didn’t buy anything today, but previously picked up some great barrettes that I wear all the time. If you are following me on Instagram, you’ve seen them. Lol.
Another block up is the Good Stuff Connection thrift shop and clothing program at 154 West 3rd Street. It is operated by North Shore Crisis Services Society, a registered North Vancouver charity that helps women and children escape from domestic violence and abuse.
Mona and I found a lot of great thrifty finds! I bought two pairs of Wild Abandon earrings, terry cloth slippers for Mama, an Ikea bathmat and an R&W scarf. And she got an Alisha Keys CD, black mules and pink jeans.
Wild Abandon Jewelry from the Good Stuff Connection thrift store
5. And last but not least, a great IG worthy photo background–Fun Alley! It is located right beside Buddha-Full, Lower Lonsdale vegan restaurant.
Mama Izumi and I went on a Foodie Adventure recently and had the pleasure of dining at Raisu Restaurant in the heart of Kitsilano, where all of our foodie desires were satiated with their authentic Japanese cuisine.
I have been eating sushi since I was I was a little girl and they have the freshest, most delicious sashimi I’ve ever had. We shared the Raisu Lunch Meal Special.
You can choose 2 out of these 4 items:
Chef’s choice of sashimi (3 kinds), deep fried dishes (2 kinds), today’s meat dish, and today’s grilled fish.
Their lunch special also includes rice, miso soup, small dish, homemade pickles and salad.
We also feasted on their Bluefin Tuna Deluxe Seafood Bowl. And although we were stuffed full of yuminess we ordered their Yuzu Parfiat and Souffle Cheesecake for dessert.
Mama and I highly recommend Raisu to fans of sushi, sashimi, and Japanese food!
The Bluefin Tuna Deluxe Seafood Bowl is just as yummy as it looks!Yuzu Parfait & Souffle Cheesecake
I was intrigued and wanted to learn more about the people behind Raisu. I had the opportunity to interview their Assistant Manager, Yumi Takeshita.
Exclusive Interview with Raisu’s Assistant Manager
M: When did Raisu first open for business?Who is the founder?
Y: Raisu opened on July 2, 2016 as a sister restaurant to Kingyo Izukaya, Suika Snackbar, and Rajio Public House. All 4 restaurants are under the Tamaru Shoten Marketing Corp umbrella.
Minoru Tamaru began Kingyo about 10 years ago because he wanted to introduce people in Vancouver to Izakaya culture and provide authentic Japanese meals.
Raisu is located at 2340 W 4th in Kitsilano
Inspiration for Opening Raisuand Providing Authentic Japanese Cuisine
M: What was Minoru’s inspiration for Raisu? Is he the sole owner or does he have business partners?
Y: Yes, he is doing this business by himself. Raisu’s concept is 80’s Japanese culture and Teishoku (balanced meal set).
Raisu Lunch Meal Special
M: Yumi, where are you originally from? If you moved to Vancouver, why did you move here?
Y: I am from Japan and I hoped to live abroad when I there. I had heard Vancouver is the best city to live and I was interested what the Japanese culture was like here too.
M: What did you do prior to working at Raisu?
Y: I worked for 8 years at Coca-Cola bottlers in Fukuoka prefecture, in Japan. I was sales person, sales office administrator and HR. When I came here in Vancouver, I worked at JAPADOG as a manager, and went to college, worked as an accountant at an agency for Japanese students who want to study in Canada.
Then now I am working at Raisu. I have been working here 3 years and I am assistant manager fortunately since April. All my job experiences are now with food.
M: If you were in adifferent industry, did you enjoy your former career?
Y: Yes, absolutely. I enjoyed working every occasion. There are a lot of good things to know and learn. If it does not relate between each industry, I can find relations and there is no waste time that I have experienced.
IsUniversity Important for Future Business Owners?
M: Did you go to university? If so, what did you study? Which university did you attend?Would you advise others to pursue a degree before opening their own business?
Y: Yes, I graduated Seinan Gakuin University in Fukuoka, Japan, and I earned a Bachelor of Law Degree.
I might recommend to pursue, but if they have clear future vision, that is no need to. However it is very worth time to pursue something and make friends before doing business. I think it is very important at that term.
M: Do you have any interest to own your own business?
Y: Yes I do, but I need to learn about business more, so I start working at Raisu.
Yumi’s Philosophy
M: Do you have a philosophy in life or famous quote you would like to share with everyone?
Y: Live everyday happily, that makes your future happy!
This is my philosophy to live but I am not sure there is similar quote in English.
MILESTONES
Raisu just celebrated it’s 5 Year Anniversary July 2nd 2021.
Go in to congratulate them in person at 2340 West 4th Street or learn more about Raisu visit their website. You also have the option to order online and follow them on Instagram.
If know me in person or you’re following me on Instagram, you may know quite a lot about me because I share A LOT about myself. It’s the way I’ve always been.
People are sometimes shocked at how much I reveal but why not? I enjoy connecting with others and bonding with them over our similarities.
But there are things you may not know or have not read on my social platforms. Here are 10 things you may not know about me:
1) My middle name is Rosanna. My Papa named me Mayumi Rosanna after a Japanese actress and an Italian singer. Thank you, Papa — I love my name!
2) I drive 6-speed and can’t imagine going back to driving automatic. One of my nicknames is Miss Andretti after the race car driver because I love to drive fast!
My car baby, The Boss, 6-speed VW Tiguan
3) I grew up an only child and love to be the center of attention!
4) I am a highly sensitive person (scientific term coined by psychologist Elaine Aron), an empath and highly intuitive. What does all this mean? I process a lot of information (that most others miss) about people all at once, can pick up on others emotions & feel them as if they were my own, and a lot of times I know something is going to happen before it happens.
5) I am of Japanese heritage but was born in Vancouver, BC at a hospital on Oak Street that is now BC Women’s & Children’s Hospital. I am proud to be a Vancouverite and Canadian!
6) I studied Fashion Design in Toronto and Fashion Merchandising here at VCC. Fashion was my first love!
Max & Mia designed by MAYUMI IZUMI (dress to be revealed SOON)
7) My first retail job was at Pegabo Shoes (sister store to Aldo) in Pacific Centre. I love shoes!
8) I was on the field hockey team in my final year at Carson Graham Secondary. I love playing but preferably floor hockey!
9) I took guitar lessons for about 1 or 2 years but stopped because the music school closed down and now I forget how to play. But I loved it and going to teach myself again SOON!
Me, Mayumi playing my Yamaha guitar my Mama bought
10) I’m a big flirt! Always have been and still love to do it! It goes hand-in-hand with being center of attention… Hahaha!
If you haven’t checked out my Instagram profiles (I have 4), go to my Contact page or my main profile.
I first met Toby Barazzuol, Owner and Founder of Eclipse Awards at Tillicum Elementary school in East Vancouver. He was in grade 2 and I was in grade 1. We had a few mutual friends and played on the jungle gyms in our neighbourhood. He moved away and then I didn’t see him again until we were in high school in North Vancouver — We were reacquainted by mutual friends that attended Windsor Secondary with him.
And now he’s running a successful company that is celebrating its 23rd year in business!
M: When did you open Eclipse Awards?
T: We opened the doors for the very first time at Eclipse Awards on April 1, 1998.
M: Did you always want to own your own business?
T: Since I was a kid, I always dreamed of starting some kind of business that would help people. My parents were both teachers with no real interest in business, so I think they sometimes wondered where I came from.
M: Where are you from? If you moved to Vancouver, why did you move here?
T: I was born and raised in Vancouver! In fact, we used to live upstairs of the Stanley Park Teahouse when my parents first started their family (my grandparents ran the restaurant there for many years). At age 5, we moved to the rainforests of North Vancouver, which is where I grew up and currently live. I love it here!
Toby Barazzuol & his children in North Vancouver, BC
M: What was your inspiration for Eclipse?
T: I used to work at a small company and my boss had a side business making crystal awards and trophies. So I learned how to design awards, and sandblast them to bring them to life, and found that I really enjoyed using my hands to make things.
But after attending dozens of award ceremonies to watch our awards being presented, I began to notice that most award recipients were overcome with happiness, often crying tears of joy upon being recognized and appreciated. It was always such a positive, powerful and uplifting experience that I decided I wanted to help bring more of that into the world.
Eclipse Awards International create beautiful customized awards
M: What did you do prior to opening your business?
T: The small company I used to work for would build log homes and ship them to Japan. They were almost like puzzles, with each log numbered and reassembled on site overseas.
M: If you were in a different industry, did you enjoy your former career?
T: I enjoyed that earlier role because it taught me the skills to run my own business, but I wasn’t passionate about exporting log homes.
M: What did you study in university? Which university did you attend? Would you advise others to pursue a degree before opening their own business?
T: I went to Sauder Business School at UBC and majored in marketing and sociology. If you’re interested in starting your own business, a college or university degree is certainly helpful, though I wouldn’t say it’s required.
In terms of running a business, I don’t think school prepares you with practical knowledge or skills. However, it does teach you how to solve problems, communicate, and work with others, which are all important skills for running a business. You might be successful in starting a business without a degree, but I think your chances improve a lot with some education.
You Are Awesome Award by Eclipse Awards
M; What would your advice to future owners with dreams of starting their own business be?
T: Start a business if it’s something you love and believe in, not because you think it will make you rich. You will need to draw on your passion to get you through the challenging times of the first 3-5 years. If you are passionate about your work, do the things you promise to do, and treat people well, then the money will start to flow.
But spoiler alert.. if you think that owning your own business is the path to more free time, it’s actually the opposite.
M: Do you have a philosophy in life or famous quote, you would like to share with everyone?
T: “Energy flows where your attention goes.”
“Recognize. Empower. Repeat.”
“We Rise By Lifting Others” a quote by Robert Ingersoll that’s very fitting for Eclipse Awards, a business that “Recognizes. Empowers. [and] Repeats”.
MILESTONES
2012: Eclipse Awards is the 8th company in BC to become a Living Wage Employer.
2012/13: Eclipse Awards is recognized as BC’s Best Employer by Small Business BC
2014: Eclipse Awards is recognized as BC’s Best Green Business by Small Business BC
I came to know the wonderful family behind Coache Collision in 2011 when I was the Assistant Branch Manager at Hertz Car Rental. Because Hertz was ICBC’s (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) preferred rental company, most of our business was with the body shops in North Vancouver. Out of the many shops that made reservations for their customers, they were one of my favourites.
The luxury automotive body shop specializes in Volkswagen and Audi vehicles with special certifications from both German brands. They have loyal customers that are three generations long just as the Tietze family business.
Coache Collsion was opened in 1975 by Norbert Sr. and Greti Tietze, a hard-working couple, that emigrated from Germany with a suitcase, $50, and a dream to better provide for their family by pursuing the opportunities that Canada offered.
Their longevity can be attributed to Opa and Omi Tietze’s work ethics. They didn’t cut any corners. They repaired their customer’s vehicles right from the beginning, provided German quality craftsmanship and excellent customer service. Omi worked in the office running the administrative, and front end of the shop. Opa had a Type-A personality, was a perfectionist and brought the vehicles back beautifully to pre-damaged condition. Before they opened Coache, he fixed anything with different parts that he could get his hands on.
2018 A5 BEFORE Coache Collision’s repair
Growing up, Opa’s son, Norbert Tietze Jr, spent a lot of time at Coache and took over the shop around 2012 – 2013 with his wife, Chantal. They originally met in Williams Lake, BC when she worked as a waitress in a Chinese Restaurant and Norbert came in for lunch. Opa had a cabin there and he spent a lot of summers in his youth fishing and hunting.
Norbert continued Opa’s tradion of German quality and perfection during his 30 to 35 years in the industry and passed these along to one of his three sons, Taylor. The grandson of Opa Tietze is an estimator. He tells me with pride that, “We’ve had many family members working [here]: my grandparents, my mom and dad, my uncle… one of my brothers has been with us, and now I’m the last of the third generation left.”
2018 A5 AFTER Coache Collision’s repair
Just like his Papa before him, Taylor grew up in the body shop. One of the technicians held him as a baby shortly after he was born. He started working in 2006 as a detailer during the summers and in January 2013, he began his full-time career as an estimator. Most of what Taylor learned about estimating was on the job but he also attended courses at the Automotive Training Centre in Surrey, BC.
Sadly, on October 1st, 2019 there was a change of ownership. Norbert and Chantal Tietze sold their family business to the Raydar Collision Group, another family owned business. Opa’s grandson explains that, “My parents wouldn’t have handed over the shop to just anyone, they wanted to make sure all of Coache’s employees were taken care of after they were gone.” All of the staff remains the same as well as the name of the business, only the owners have changed.
Taylor elaborates that, Bill Davidson from the Raydar Group has shown an unmatched passion for the industry, as well … he values his employees. I’ve personally been to one of his other shops, and it’s clear that he takes every step to ensure that not only the business is successful, but the employees are successful within it. I can only see us becoming a more tight-knit team under his leadership.”
To learn more about the luxury automotive repair shop, Coache or book an appointment, visit their website and follow their Instagram. They are located at: 1172 W 3 St, North Vancouver, BC.
