Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneurs are Luca Daniel Lavorato, Mario Christian Lavorato, and Heng Tang. They are the namesakes behind Daniel Christian Tang, a made-in-Canada label of 3D-printed luxury jewelry. They are currently a part of the Joe Fresh Centre for Fashion Innovation at Ryerson University.
WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
We are a technology-driven custom design firm that specializes in out of this world architecturally-inspired luxury jewelry.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
Our group is quite random actually. Two of our founders spent the better part of a decade in architecture and our third in structural engineering. We came together because we were infatuated with digital fabrication and jewelry slowly became one of the most exciting things to design. So we brought everything we knew about architecture to the design of wearables and the rest is history.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
Our most memorable milestone would be our first runway show at Toronto Fashion Week. We made history being the first ever accessories company to successfully produce a solo runway show. It was wild.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
We take things day-by-day but the real goal is to basically become best friends with David Yurman.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
A lot of people say never give up. I think that’s terrible advice. In our short careers as entrepreneurs, we’ve pivoted a number of times. Had a few failures and gave up on some ideas that actually had gotten pretty far. If we hadn’t given up, we’d be broke. Never give up on your dreams, but be realistic about what works and doesn’t work in business. As Ross would say “PIVOT!” …if need be.
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
Two of our founders have Cystic Fibrosis so we’ve worked through our sister brand with the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Our biggest struggle was having to actually build a commercial business. Design is fun and it comes second nature to us. Running a business isn’t. Translating a passion into a profitable brand takes a lot of work and takes courage to move forward from a lot of failure.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
Notable is doing something that excites you and inspiring others to do that same. That’s notable to us.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
Salt on Ossington is absolutely amazing both for dining and drinks. It’s small and still very under the radar and their seafood dishes are out of this world. Highly recommend the Yellowfin Tuna Tiradito, Grilled Octopus and the Lobster Papardelle.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Joseph Nogucci, easily.
Sia, Cheap Thrills
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
George Takei is pretty funny.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
Croatia is probably one of the most beautiful places on earth so that would top the list. We’re headed to Hong Kong next month.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
FOMO is for the weak of mind.
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Gummy Candies in all shapes and forms.
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
I wish I didn’t spend so much money on pizza. I wish I spent more money on fruit.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Success is being genuinely happy, whatever you do in life. That’s rare.
Are you an up-and-coming fashion entrepreneur? The Joe Fresh Centre is accepting applications for Cycle 3 until July 28th. Apply here.