Babes Promoting Babes – Mayumi of Fashion INVESTIGATOR INC

Mayumi Izumi

I have been enjoying the Babes Promoting Babes Interview Series so much that — I decided to interview myself …. Lol.

Answering my own interview questions is good way for you to get to know me better and what I’m passionate about.

MY MISSION:  To motivate and inspire Boss Babes in the making. To uplift, encourage, and promote male & female entreprenuers and to share aspirations, goals and dreams with them and you, my subscribers.

To provide and build a warm, loving, and supportive community of CREATORS. Creators of art, a business, or a NEW YOU …

Q: What’s your story?  Where were you born, where were you raised?  What was your childhood, growing up years like?

A:  I was born in Vancouver, BC — Yes, I am a true Vancouverite and proud of it!  I grew up in East Van as an only child to Masako and Hiroaki Izumi.  We’re Japanese, as you can see from our names… Hahahaha …

Q:  What did you want to do when you grew up?  

A:  I wanted to be famous. Actress, singer, model, fashion designer.  It’s funny because my Dad named me after a Japanese actress — Mayumi and an Italian Singer — Rosanna.

When I was 11, I wanted to be a lawyer.  Very fitting as I am good at arguing my point.

Q:  Did you go to college or university?  If so, what did you study? 

A:  Yes, I studied Fashion Design at the International Academy of Design & Technology in Toronto, Ontario and Fashion Merchandising at VCC (Vancouver Community College). 

Because I love to learn, I also completed the Small Business Program at VCC as well as the Applied Digital Communications & Social Media Program at Capilano University.

Right now I am in the Bachelor of Communications Program also at Cap U.

 Q:  When did you move to Vancouver?  Why did you move to Vancouver?

A:  I was born and raised in Vancouver. But I lived in Edmonton, Alberta for 2 years and when my Mom (capitalized on purpose for respect to the woman who raised me on her own) & I moved back, we moved to North Van and I attended high school here.

I moved to Toronto in 1999 and lived there for 3 years to study Fashion Design as I mentioned above.

 Q:  When did you start your business?  What was your inspiration?

A:  I started Fashion INVESTIGATOR INC in 2018.  My inspiration was my love and passion for writing.

Q:  What do you love the most about being a Boss Babe?

A: I love waking up and being excited about my day.  What am I going to work on … How am I going to help my clients … What angle am I going to use to make my clients’ businesses shine …

I am an artist.  Any outlet that allows me to use my creativity makes me happy.

Also, working at home is AWESOME!

Q:  What would your advice be for Boss Babes in the making?  If they are contemplating leaving a secure 9-5 job with benefits – what would you say to them? Should they take the leap?

A:  GO FOR IT! But do it with intelligence.  Save money  — 6 months to 1 year of income to have a cushion while you’re building your business before you quit your day job.

I did not do this BUT it is ideal to feel safe while GOING AFTER YOUR DREAMS …

Q:  Any last words? What’s our favourite positive/motivational quote or book?

A:  My favourite quote is from one of my favourite books and authors:  

“The seventh spiritual law of success is the Law of Dharma.  Dharma is a Sanskrit word that means ‘purpose in life.’  The Law of Dharma says that we have taken manifestation in physical form to fulfill a purpose.  The field of pure potentiality is divinity in its essence, and the divine takes human form to fulfill a purpose.” — Deepak Chopra

You have to do what makes you happy.  When you find what that is and can make money doing it then you’re in Dharma.

Babes Promoting Babes – Sonja of The Queen of the Closet

Sona & Bella - The Queen of the Closet

MY MISSION:  To motivate and inspire Boss Babes in the making. To uplift, encourage, and promote male & female entrepreneurs and to share aspirations, goals and dreams with them and you, my subscribers.

To provide and build a warm, loving, and supportive community of CREATORS. Creators of art, a business, or a NEW YOU …

I met Sonja Brooke last year at Earnest Ice Cream in North Vancouver. We were introduced by Sarah Murray, Fashion Program Coordinator at VCC (Vancouver Community College) when she sent over Sonja, Fashion Merchandising student to help me organize my fashion show. For those of you who missed my last interview — “For the Love of Local” is my First Annual Fashion Gala and it is still in the works.

STUDENT?! –Sonja, with heels stands about 6 feet tall and wow, what a stunner! She is a former model and working actress, not to mention a Boss Babe with her own business, the Queen of the Closet, that she started with her daughter, Bella (left in the photo shown above).

M: What’s your story?  Where were you born, where were you raised?  What was your childhood, growing up years like?

S: Born in Australia – raised there, England and the States. My childhood was awesome, as were my parents.

M; What did you want to do when you grew up?  

S: Growing up I wanted to be an artist and a News Broadcaster.

M: Did you go to college or university?  If so, what did you study? 

S: I went to Sydney University and studied Journalism.

M: When did you move to Vancouver?  Why did you move to Vancouver? 

S: My daughter was born in Vancouver  but spent the first years of her life in Australia. We moved back to Vancouver about 15 years ago.

M: When did you start your business?  What was your inspiration?  What is the Queen of the Closet’s mission? 

S: I am a gemologist by trade, but my love of the land and environment is what prompted the creation of The Queen of the Closet.

Our mission is simple — we spread the narrative that asks consumers to, “Buy better – Buy less – Save money and in turn save the planet”.

Sonja holding sustainable fashion handbag - BPB Interview
Sonja holding sustainable fashion handbag by Staud Clothing

M: What do you love the most about being a Boss Babe? 

S: Hilarious, I never saw myself as a “Boss Babe”. I have always worked as a team. I am a very private person and always enjoyed taking the back seat.

M: What would your advice be for Boss Babes in the making?  If they are contemplating leaving a secure 9-5 job with benefits – what would you say to them? Should they take the leap? 

S: I think it depends on the person and the situation. If a person is young and has no responsibilities by all means – JUMP!  

It really depends. I have always taken calculated risks but then again, I have always had responsibility therefore I had to really think the situation through.

M: Any last words? What’s our favourite positive/motivational quote or book. 

S: I always love to paraphrase a  couple quotes by Maya Angelou – “When a person tells you who they are, believe them”  and “Stop making someone a priority when they are making you an option”