Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I am the director of sales, marketing and business development at RENEW Gallery – Period Lighting & Decorative Arts. We specialize in early 19th and 20th century luxury lighting and fine antiques.
My father started the business almost 40 years ago as Vancouver Architectural Antiques. You could say I spend my time at RENEW working to transform one man’s passion into a high-end branded luxury business. My father has amassed an incredible collection of exceptionally restored, one-of-a-kind antique lighting pieces. What I love so much is being able to showcase his collection to clients all over the world. It blows my mind every day.
My goal is to take our family business into its second generation, by integrating fine antiques and restoration with digital marketing and shopping. RENEW isn’t your typical antique shop. It’s a global destination where buyers from around the world come for absolutely incredible, one-of-a-kind pieces that they can’t find anywhere else.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
Prior to taking on my role with RENEW, I was living and working in Toronto, always in a position that intersected arts and culture, with commerce, business, or sales -I really like bridging those two worlds. One summer, before my parents left on an extended trip to Europe, they asked me to come on board and start to take the reins of the business. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse. My dad always wanted one of his children to get involved in the business – I think he used his trip to Europe as his excuse to ask.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
Working closely with my family has to be both the best and most challenging part of my day. I am very fortunate to have cool parents but we definitely have our stressful moments. It has been really exciting to see them in a new light professionally (they are tough bosses, but also very kind).
Because RENEW is my own family’s business, I take my job much more seriously, and I work a lot harder – pride of ownership is so ingrained in me, because this is the business that raised me.
What is one sign that you’ve seen over the years to suggest that your work/life balance is off?
Well, I have been back in Vancouver for over a year now, and I can’t remember the last time I went to the beach… I’m hoping to make that happen this summer. This city is very much about lifestyle and self-care, which is great for keeping my head in check.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I have not a clue, which is very exciting! Possibly in Vancouver, or maybe California? (I would LOVE to open up a shop in Santa Monica or San Francisco).
What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
I guess the newfound responsibility of leading others and being a “boss.” Finding that balance was a bit of a challenge for me. I can’t exactly be one of the gang all the time, but being an old curmudgeon doesn’t work for me either. To be honest, I rely on being firm, fair, and friendly, and I also bring my team a lot of baked goods (works like a charm).
What does success look like to you? Does Money = Happiness?
Success is about working towards something that you feel proud of and makes you happy. Work is not always a walk in the park, but looking back on what we’ve accomplished even in such a short time, I feel successful. Success is about the journey and always working towards something more… if you’re enjoying getting there, you’ve already got it – you’ve already won.
I think money buys opportunity, and that opportunity can bring happiness (education, health, travel, lifestyle), but I know a lot of people with money who are miserable. Money won’t buy you true friendship; it won’t buy you self-confidence, or love. Money is a tool and it can be applied wonderfully to people’s lives, and not so. At the end of the day, money does matter – it’s our relationship and attitude towards it that needs to be adjusted.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
I feel like I am sort of hitting one right now. My father is constantly working on another heritage restoration off-site, so he’s not around the showroom as much as he used to be. Over the past six months I’ve really been able to spread my wings at RENEW: make decisions, do deals, and change things up as I see fit. While I do keep him posted on what’s going on, I have autonomy now – which is really cool to experience in my career. It’s amazing to know my dad trusts me to do the right thing (even if he doesn’t always say it, and even if I make the occasional mistake – which I do).
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
When I was younger I suffered from “option paralysis” – there was so much that I was interested in and I had a hard time going down a single path. Life is LONG. Pick something, try something, make the decision – nothing is set in stone. There is lots of time to do lots of things.
Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
Two of my best friends live above Chambar… so that’s a default. I also LOVE Bao Bei… delicious food and drinks every time and I even have a jar of their housemade chili oil in my fridge.
When you’re not working how do you love to spend your “Me” time?
I really love being around people, but I recharge my energy when I’m alone. I love to go spinning, cook at home and listen to podcasts.
Where is your favourite place to travel? Why?
Right now, it has to be California (I need to dry out from the Vancouver dampness). I also get a little anxious when I haven’t been to New York in a while – my BFF lives there and that city gives me a zest for life like no other.
If you had to choose a theme song, what would it be?
Right now, I would say Sia’s “Chandelier.” I love blasting it when I am alone in the gallery – it’s almost too literal! (and it has great energy!)
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would you be doing?
I think I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing right now, but I would probably be working in academia or writing. I’d love to write a TV show, and I also have a book of essays that I will likely never publish.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
This past year we partnered with Books for Me! Literacy Foundation, a registered charity based in Vancouver. The charity provides underprivileged children and families an opportunity to build their own libraries for free. The cool part is children choose their own books to take home and keep, and I really like that the kids are able to exhibit their own agency in this. RENEW Gallery provided our showroom as a space to host their annual fundraiser, and we would do it again in a heartbeat – as a child I was lucky to always have my nose in a book.
What to you is notable?
How amazing and inspiring young people are. Career success a few decades ago meant something a lot different I think, and had a lot more of a pessimistic outlook (I can’t help thinking of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman). With the digital landscape there is opportunity everywhere and creating your own opportunity has never been more possible. I feel like our new generation of CEOs are all going to be tween-age!
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone… Sadly, I wouldn’t have much of a social life if it wasn’t for FaceTime… (only half-kidding).
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Photo by Helena McMurdo
