Are you an aspiring student entrepreneur? If so, then Carolyn Chen, founder of Wanderlust Accessories is your go-to girl! Read about my interview with Carolyn as she gives amazing advice for students who are thinking about starting their own business.
1) Describe yourself in three words
If I had to choose three words to describe myself it would be creative, free and ambitious. Creative because I love doing things associated with art, whether its designing fashion, designing clothes or drawing. Free because I love to explore and try new things, wander outside of my comfort zone. Ambitious I would say because I like having a goal setting for myself and being able to reach it like starting my own business or trying new things like skydiving.
2) Where are you from?
I’m from Toronto, Ontario.
3) What program are you in?
BMOS program specializing in consumer behaviour (AEO2)
3) How did you start Wanderlust?
I started Wanderlust because for Christmas in 2011, I decided to make my friends a lot of jewellery pieces and while I was sitting in my room making all these pieces, I thought to myself why not actually just start a business and start selling these pieces? So after I gave these presents to my friends they received a lot of positive responses from people they knew about where they could get these pieces. That’s where the idea all started. And then in Summer of 2012, that’s when I really began focusing on my business and making more pieces.
4) What is some advice you can give to students thinking about entrepreneurship?
I think a lot of students are scared about starting their own business because it is a risk and its hard balancing school, extra curricula’s and being able to manage your own business. What advice I would give is really believe in yourself and what you have to offer. Just keep persisting because although it will be hard at first, people will start noticing what you’re good at and what you have to offer.
5) How do you find balancing your business, school and extra curriculars?
At first it was hard because I was the marketing director for CAISA Fashion Show, I was on the varsity fencing team and on top of that school and my business. But once I started to make a system, organizing my schedule, have one hour a day focusing on Wanderlust, and certain hours of the week focusing on other things; I was able to get everything done. So as long as I created a schedule, stayed on task and had a goal for each day and week, I found myself being able to accomplish everything I needed to in time.
6) How did your jewellery get featured with CAISA Fashion Show?
I created a special bracelet, the Karma bracelet, where 50% of the proceeds are donated to the Children’s Health Foundation. It continued this year where I had a booth at the fashion show.
Wanderlust
7) Silver or gold?
Personally I would pick gold because it goes well with my skin tone and everything I wear.
Check out the rest of Wanderlust Accessories’ jewellery line! Click here for the Facebook page. Click here for the website.
Cheers!
Anna Li