We recently connected with Vivian Au Fang and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Vivian, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
Work ethics I believe is built overtime and how I have observed those that I look up to in my life. Within the jewelry industry, I have mentors that have guided and watched me grow in my different life stages as a jewelry designer, maker and more. My mentors have shared with me their strengths, weaknesses, struggles, celebrations and growth as business owners. How my mentors have included me on their journey, it continuously inspires me to learn not just more about the world of gems and jewelry, but myself. Biologically, I definitely get my work ethics from my dad. Growing up I didn’t understand why my dad was always gone on work trips and had multiple supplementary incomes. As I became an adult, it finally all made sense to me. Long story short, my dad is an immigrant where he was the only chinese kid in his college classes. He had very little money coming to America but he worked very hard in school while holding multiple jobs. He was the first chinese man working at the Federal Reserve Bank in the Kansas City Missouri in the 80’s and he has climbed all the way to the top of the firm. My dad is my true idol!
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’ve always had a passion for fashion. At 19 years old, I moved out of Kansas to attend college at The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles campus. I learned all aspects of product development and international manufacturing and was fascinated and inspired by the process. After working for corporate apparel companies during and after college, I learned that the apparel industry environment was not a good fit for me. Transitioning into the jewelry industry was a path that lead from the connection of old employers. At 23 years old, a jewelry design assistant position was just a job that I needed at the time. I saw a lot of what I wanted and wouldn’t do as a jewelry business owner, so at 26 I started Vi Ling.
Fast forward 13 years later, I have grown Vi Ling in different directions. Vi Ling is a collection of demi fine, fine and custom jewelry. At my sunny Pasadena studio, I do in house services such as computer aided design (CAD) to give my clients a more personal connection in creating their custom jewelry. As a designer and manufacturer, I want to provide the most knowledge about gems and jewelry to my clients. I am a GIA Graduate Gemologist, with that I am able to share my passion, knowledge and educate my clients about natural gemstones. I have the ability and instruments to identify natural to synthetic gemstones as this service gives confidence while working with my clients.
I am taking Vi Ling a step further. I want to provide more than just jewelry, because the tangible product isn’t an everyday purchase. Later this year, I will be providing a service when one does not need to purchase gifts for themselves or their loved ones. I want my clients to protect and cherish their fine jewelry pieces for years to come. With that, currently I am taking courses to become a certified jewelry appraiser. I have heard too many stories (including my own family) of heirloom jewelry being the center of sibling rivalry when a loved one passes on. To provide the service for those in need of an extra step of taking care of family affairs, specifically for their jewelry. An appraisal service of writing documentation of an evaluation and valuation of a jewelry piece, Vi Ling will be able to help relieve miscommunications and give comfort to families.
Vi Ling is about creating your Forever Love Story. Whether you are transitioning from college, your first career, getting married, to motherhood. Vi Ling is here to celebrate your every milestone and journey.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I am organized, patient and observing. Being organized helps you see things much more clearly and be efficient in completing your tasks. Patience is a huge factor because you have to let things flow, even if it may take a bit longer to complete. Observe, not in a creepy kinda way. Be in the moment and live in the moment, observe how others are doing things and learn from their mistakes.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Nature is so healing! It truly is! When I am stressed or feeling overwhelmed, I love going on nature adventures. From hiking, beach days, road trips to national parks, just breathing in the fresh air instantly makes me feel good.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vilingdesigns.com
- Instagram: vilingdesigns
- Facebook: vilingdesigns
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/vivianaufang
