A Day in the Life: Cynthia Hew
by Yello Jan 24, 2017
Cynthia Hew opened the popular culinary store, Bon Vivant, located at Camana Bay in 2007. As a self-confessed storyteller, Cynthia’s creative flair is reflected in the organized clutter of the gadgets, and the warm, energetic ambience of the store. Cynthia loves showing people the value in all things, including themselves.
Here Cynthia reveals the in’s and out’s of owning her own business.
Describe your day-to-day activities:
Constantly changing! My main role is to run the business by making sure my staff and customers get what they want and what they need. I spend quite a lot of time setting and maintaining standards as they relate to our product offerings and before, as well as, after sale service.
What kind of customers do you get? What kind of people do you meet?
I love that our customers come in to visit and also share a recipe or story, or just pop in to say hello and browse. It doesn’t matter if someone buys something or not, what’s most important is that we welcome them into our home and that they feel inspired and cared for.
Do you work in a team environment? Or do you work independently?
I have a team of staff that assists with our retail store and an awesome kitchen designer who assists with our appliance and kitchen designs. I also have Maureen Cubbon – not a staff member, she’s a true friend and colleague who assists us with our cooking classes and private events. I have a team of suppliers, who we have built relationships with over the last 10 years, who give us the support we need to provide superior service to our customers.
What motivates you to go to work each day?
My motivation every day is fueled by coming in to solve a problem or hear someone say ‘it can’t be done’. I thrive on a good challenge, when you own a business – there is always something that needs to be dealt with. My other motivator is being the best me I can be.
What do you enjoy best about your job?
I enjoy clearing my desk at the end of the day and heading home to my family or meeting up with some really good friends over a nice meal with a glass of wine. My days start early so before I go to bed I prepare myself for the tasks and goals I need to achieve the next day. When I get home I try hard to be present with the people I love.
What do you least enjoy?
When I was much younger, I would thrive on multi-tasking; now, not so much. Multi-tasking tends to make me jumpy, move way too quickly and I get distracted then miss things. I don’t like to ‘miss things’. Unfortunately, as the owner, you do have to be aware of a lot of things and there are always several dozen projects open at once; however I try to start and finish one specific thing at the time. I guess you could say it’s a work in progress.
What advice would you give to someone considering working in this industry/role?
Run your small business with structure. Communicate with your team and give regular reviews and feedback on their performance. Make time to discuss business strategies at least annually. It’s very easy to get so occupied with working in your business that you can sometimes forget the importance of working ON IT. Also, keep up with developing trends to make sure you are the industry leader. You don’t ever want a customer knowing more about what you have to offer than yourself!
How has your education or past career experiences prepared you for this role?
I am where I am today because of hard work and eating lots of humble pie. I have never had an issue with speaking up for myself or others who were perhaps more afraid, yet what I have learned over the years is that sometimes, the less you say can deliver you the outcome that you are really after. My university degrees are in journalism and business, so both have certainly helped prepare me for running Bon Vivant.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My sons. My step-son Josh was 6 years old when I met him and he is now 19 and just an awesome kid. My other son, who is 8, makes me laugh and cry every day and sometimes at the same time. They make me want to be the best I can be each and every day. I hope that I make them as proud as they make me.
In your free time, what are your hobbies?
I run and read recipe books in bed!