While gender roles are becoming increasingly opaque in our society, certain expectations are still placed upon women of today. The path that is often taken for the ladies is getting a stable job, settling down, and taking care of their families. This idea is engrained in the minds of many, especially in a country like Vietnam, where it is commonly thought that if women are unable to manage their family affairs, they will be never be considered successful. In other words, women’s achievements in careers, politics, economics, and education will be disregarded if they fail to perform their roles as wives and mothers. That way of thinking discourages women from opportunities to move forward, study further, develop their careers, as well as participate in social and political activities.
Believing that, I had a different plan for myself.
How surprised are we to know a woman who is on the leaderboard of a leading agency in a male-dominated industry like luxury furniture? Despite the doubters and naysayers, taking the road less traveled, I’m strongly convinced that I am leaving my mark in this field.
Being the Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Strategy Officer of Italian Atelier, a design consulting agency and luxury furniture brands (namely Armani/Casa, MissoniHome, Bottega Veneta, and Poltronova among others) representative in the Asia-Pacific region, I am slowly making a name for myself in the industry.
Before working for Italian Atelier, I spent 12 years working in banking, finance, investment, and business management. With the experience I had obtained, the connections and relationships I had built, and the determination to achieve more and go further, I joined Italian Atelier in 2017.
In just four years, I helped extend the company’s territories and opened three new offices in Vietnam, China, and India. This execution helped cut the extra costs that Italian Atelier had had to spend over the years and increased the revenue immensely. Moreover, in 2021, I finally implemented the long-overdue idea of creating Italian Atelier’s digital marketing team, which improved the company’s online presence and brought us closer to a wider group of audience.
Steadily, I have worked my way to becoming an accomplished figure in the business of high-end furniture and design. On every trip around the world to meet clients, attend events, and exchange knowledge with designers, architects, developers, and brand owners, I indulge in their culture and the substantial beauty. From there, I carry with me my stories, experience and fueled the passion to keep going forward.
With the birth of this site, I wish to share my advice and hopes to inspire every determined individual out there to have the courage to seek an unorthodox path.
For the road less taken, while hazier and more intimidating than the well-worn path, is the road that leads to societal change and makes all the difference.
J.C
