I met Daisy Salvacion-Shields at VCC (Vancouver Community College) in the Fashion Merchandising Program in 2007. She was in some of my classes, but it wasn’t until after VCC that we connected on a personal level.
She is the talented artist who did my make-up and photos featured here, on Fashion INVESTIGATOR INC. Daisy was working on a project called, “Celebrate You” and she asked me if I wanted to be a part of it. I said, “YESSSS!”
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 …
M: What’s your story? Where were you born, where were you raised? What was your childhood, growing up years like?
D: I was born in Calgary, Alberta but at a very young age moved to the tiniest town called Hope, BC. Childhood was full of fun, creativity and adventure. I learned to love the outdoors but stayed a city girl at heart.
Bedroom walls consisted of magazine collages inspiring me with fashion and style, down time was dress-up with friends. I even organized my first fashion show in grade 7!
M: What did you want to do when you grew up?
D: So many things, and still do … ha! Singer, dancer, teacher, writer, and artist (I loved doing cartoon drawings of Betty and Veronica).
M: Did you go to college or university? If so, what did you study?
D: I was in the Film Program at Capilano University and also took Fashion Merchandising and Screenwriting courses at VCC.
M: When did you move to Vancouver? Why did you move to Vancouver?
D: 2001, to go to Capilano U.
M: When did you start your business? What was your inspiration?
Parent company, DSS Creatives was just born this year. And under the umbrella of DSS, are two divisions.
The first is Conceptual Portraits, started in 2011, the focus is on Editorial Portraiture (photo shoots) . Bulan Productions is the second and newer division, with its first film made in 2017 and its focus is Digital Film Making.
My biggest inspiration is storytelling, especially when it can help to motivate others and DSS Creatives houses my two favourite mediums to do that with.
M: What do you love the most about being a Boss Babe?
D: I’m doing work that is speaking to what I really love doing so it’s work that gives me energy back.
Energy to keep going as opposed to work that sucks the energy away. I am all about committing to a career that I love because life is too short.
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?
D: I’ve gone down that path. I quit my career of 15 years with a small amount of savings, support from my husband and no solid structure of what I was going to do next but a solid commitment to feed my soul. That’s it.
I knew what made me feel alive and I went in that direction. It’s been such a rewarding career ever since, monetarily, creatively.
So definitely, my advice is when you are at the point where you can’t ignore the whispers (they don’t go away for a reason) take the freaking leap. Of course it will be scary, but stay genuinely committed to your truth, whatever that may mean to you.
You are growing. It’s human. You’ll be met on the other side with synchronicities in your favour and I’m cheering for you!
M: Any last words? What’s our favourite positive/motivational quote or book?
D: Favourite Book: “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. It changed my life.
Favourite Quote: “When you want something, all the Universe conspires in helping you to Achieve it.” – Paulo Coelho
Daisy Salvacion-Shields is the founder of DSS Creatives, a creative agency that specializes in visual storytelling through its digital film-making division, Bulan Productions and its editorial portraiture division, Conceptual Portraits. Check out her Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/daisysalvacions/