Olivia van Eyk: Today’s Notable Young Professional

With the three-year anniversary of Everleigh, one of Toronto’s favourite clubs, coming up on May 12, we’ll be featuring Owner and CEO Ralf Madi’s top five young professionals to know in Toronto. Today we’re talking to Four Seasons social media strategist Olivia van Eyk…

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WORK

Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I work in Global Social Media Marketing with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts HQ – crafting buzz-worthy social strategies to engage and build our global community.

What was the inspiration for your career route?
My sister and I started an entrepreneurial jewellery company after university and were one of the early stores on Shopify. We used social media to drive sales before we even realized that we were engaging in social media marketing. Four years later, I was offered an opportunity to work agency-side in PR and began to recognize how vital social media was becoming as media continued to shift toward digital. Three years later, the opportunity emerged to work in Global Social Media Marketing with Four Seasons, and needless to say I jumped at the offer.

What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
When I first started agency-side, I worked on the Victoria’s Secret account, helping coordinate the opening of the second largest store in the world (Vancouver). I was hands-on with everything from securing media coverage to creating a photo shoot with Angel Lindsay Ellingson and beyond. I’ve since discovered this is a fairly typical day in the world of fashion PR, but at the time the experience felt surreal.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
I wish I knew! Social media changes so quickly these days – channels emerge and perish faster than you can craft a witty bio. I love the intersection of communication and tech so I definitely see myself continuing down that path, wherever that may take me.

Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Cliché answer: find your passion and live, breathe, and dream it every single day. Secondary advice: be genuine and stay open to new ideas.

Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
I’m currently on the PR and BUZZ committee for Rethink Breast Cancer’s Boobyball event. It’s great to work with an organization that empowers breast cancer patients, survivors, and the broader community to engage around this important topic.

What is one major challenge that youve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
I personally dislike unknowns, but that can be self-limiting and prevent you from making great discoveries. Facebook gives out postcards at their office, and I keep one behind my laptop at work that says “Proceed and be bold.” It reminds me to step outside of my comfort zone and trust my abilities and intuition.

What does the word notable mean to you?
Someone who is unafraid to be bold, and who inspires others to do the same.

PLAY

Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
Dailo – the beef carpaccio is fantastic.

Whats the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Facebook; Said the Sky – Darling (ft. Missio).

Whos one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
@FourSeasons, obviously!

Whats your favourite country to visit and why? And whats the next one you plan on travelling to?
Thailand – my mom and sister lived there for several years. Next up: Mexico for work; Greece for pleasure.

What gives you the greatest FOMO?
People playing with puppies on social media.

Whats your guiltiest pleasure?
Gummie bears and white wine

Whats something you wish you didnt spend so much money on? Whats something you wish you spent more on?
Gummie bears and white wine; Travel.

And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise
Happiness.

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