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ph: 604-688-2398 fx: 604-688-1963
CAN'T FIND SOMETHING? |
Business in Vancouver December 30, 2008-January 5, 2009; issue 1001 Jennifer Wong COO, Aritzia LP, Age: 39 When Jennifer Wong joined Aritzia for the Christmas shopping season in 1987, she didn’t expect it to be a long-term commitment with the young-women’s apparel store. Starting as a part-time sales associate, she slowly moved up to become an assistant store manager while completing her bachelor’s degree in economics at UBC. “When I graduated, I thought I’d get a ‘real’ job and go into banking. But, Brian Hill approached me and he convinced me to work with him in helping him run his company.” She’s been a key player in Aritzia’s growth story, leading various operations in the 21 years she’s been with the company. In the early ’90s, she was manager of the company’s shoe division, managing the company’s Dr. Martens operations before being promoted to vice-president of support operations in ’95. In January 2007, she became COO of the company and was responsible for seven key support divisions in the company, such as HR, IT, legal, logistics and distribution and operations. She says the past couple of years have been the busiest of her life, being responsible for the implementation of the company’s enterprise resource planning system and overseeing the company’s U.S. expansion. In the past 12 months, the company has opened a store in Seattle, two in the San Francisco Bay area and two in Chicago. A Portland, Oregon, store is slated to be open next year. From a handful of stores when she joined, the company has grown to employ more than 1,200 people with 34 locations across Canada and the U.S. and producing more than $170 million in revenue. She credits her staff and her razor-like focus and drive on building the business for her success so far. “When you work for a great team of people, it’s a very stimulating place to come to work. … I do make sure I take time for myself, and I have to give credit to my husband because he’s a superstar, he makes everything easier outside of work.” • Birthplace: Vancouver Where do you live now: Vancouver Highest level of education: BA economics Car or chosen mode of transport: Black Land Rover and I’ve recently taken up cycling (Orbea Onix Dama road bike) Currently reading: It’s Not How Good You Are, Its How Good You Want to Be: The World’s Best Selling Book by Paul Arden Last CD bought or music downloaded: Livin’ Your Life by T.I. Favourite movie: No time for movies! Favourite local restaurant: Il Giardino – my father knew the owner well, so it is THE only place to celebrate happy occasions ever since I was a little girl Profession you would most like to try: I can’t think of anything I would rather be doing than working at Aritzia Mentor: Aritzia CEO Brian Hill and my father, Jim Wong. Brian has been a true mentor through every step of my career and my father is the one who offers me encouragement. He is my biggest fan Toughest business or professional decision: The decision to turn down a career in finance to stay with Aritzia after university What’s left to do: Every day presents opportunities, small and large. I just make sure to optimize every single opportunity |
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