SjjHpK1p

DORIS CHUNG
CAREER
Publisher Production Solutions
CEO and Creative Director
EDUCATION
B.A. (Fine Art) (OCAD University)
Graphic Design Diploma (George Brown College)
What services does your business offer?
We are a printing agency, offering print services for
businesses and entrepreneurs. Our clients are Canadian
publishers, businesses, experts, and authors who require
printed products to market their own products and
services through business supplies, marketing materials,
and published books. We cover all aspects of print
products ranging from books to business cards, including
publishing and professional graphic design services.
What motivated you to carry on your family’s business?
I come from a long line of entrepreneurs and business
owners. I have a passion for design and I knew that
continuing in my family’s printing business was the perfect
fit for me. Although I worked for many other companies,
I knew that one day I would be running my own. My goal
is to expand the company so that we can offer all the
services a publisher may need, along with print services.
My family is my greatest motivation. I want the next
generation of my family to have the same opportunities
that I received from my parents and grandparents. I
would like them to see that success is possible if a person
is determined to achieve it, no matter the setbacks.
What do you like most about what you do?
I love helping my clients create what they envision. I know
people have different areas of strength and weakness. As
someone who is more inclined to artistic creativity, I have great
admiration for those who have a way with words and are able
to write and influence people’s lives with their work. Writing is
not my main talent, but I have the skills to present the work of
a writer's work in a way that is visually appealing to the public.
It is a pleasure to help turn someone’s words into a piece of art.
Every day, I get to work with a great team of people. My
team is still growing, but the team members I have now
really help me by allowing me to work on my business
rather than in my business. My amazing team members
are capable of handling the day-to-day tasks so that I am
able to work on business strategies and develop plans.
On a personal level, I love having the ability to have
flexible hours and work from a variety of locations: my
home office, a client’s office, or downtown at Soho
House. Since I am a solo parent, this flexibility helps me
balance the needs of both my business and my family.
What feedback have you received from clients?
I was delighted when my client, Rebecca E., wrote: “I
continually rely on Doris to assist me with design work
and printing services for my growing business. She is
energetic and extremely efficient in delivering high
quality products. Her experience in working with varied
clientele also provides her with a unique marketing
perspective that she is willing to share. Her expertise and
recommendations have been invaluable.”
I was especially gratified when Ron P. wrote “In the
world of publishing and design, few are as talented and
professional at Doris Chung. Her ideas, experience and
expertise are invaluable in ensuring I get the best possible
product. When it comes to a relentless pursuit of quality for
important publishing, printing and design projects, Doris
is my chief partner.” This makes what I do so worthwhile.
Where do you see your business in five years?
In the next few years, I want to be sure that I am able to
scale my business to offer every type of printed product,
from a wedding invitation (design and print) to selfpublishing
services, to even large format printing, with
my personal customized touch.
I see myself enjoying the challenge of a growing business with
several full time employees in a very relaxed and professional
office/retail space. I want to be sure that this space is in
Etobicoke or at least the West end of Toronto. Not only do
I want this office and retail space, but I would like to have a
space where writers can meet, write, and collaborate – where
they can sell their book and/or have their first book launch.
Expanding the business and the product/service offerings
is something that I strongly desire. Growth can be a fast
or slow progress. As much as I would like to be further
ahead on my ideas and plans for my business, I feel that
it’s better to pace any growth, never forgetting to place
priority on current clients and current orders.
What are your keys to success?
As an entrepreneur, I work hard, but I know when to take a
break. There is no benefit to my clients or to my family if I
burn myself out. Although I want to be available to my clients
(which means the occasional “off hours” email or phone
call), I make it a priority to maintain work hours that are
separate from my personal time with my family and friends.
In business, I always try to keep things professional and
not take things personally. This is probably one of the
most difficult things for me to remember, but there is no
reason to think that, because a situation happened in my
business, it happened to me personally.
What business lessons have you learned that you
would share with other entrepreneurs?
The most important lesson is one that I learned from my
father – you have to know how to do something before
you can hire someone else to do it for you. While working
for my father at his bindery, I watched him set up the
bindery machine. I was shocked that he knew how to
do this as I had always just seen him behind the “boss’s
desk.” He explained that, in order to run a company well,
a business owner needs to know how everything is done.
To be a good leader, I believe that an entrepreneur should
have a strong understanding of every employee’s role. In
a small business, employer-employee relationships are
much more informal and each team member’s role is a
lot more fluid. Knowing the foundation of your employee’s
tasks will allow you to give better feedback and be more
helpful should they need assistance.
Who inspires and motivates you?
I have met a lot of entrepreneurs and business owners
at networking events, conferences and retreats. It is
inspiring to hear the stories and motivations of other
entrepreneurs and business owners. During times
of setback and frustration, it is so valuable to be able
to draw on the experiences of other entrepreneurs.
Knowing that they have faced similar challenges and
then succeeded, gives me the motivation to stay focused
and positive through a difficult situation.
What are the top three items on your bucket list?
1. Travel the world (with Paris at the top of the list!)
2. Maintain optimal work/life balance.
3. Help find homes for every rescue dog that needs one.
How are you involved in your community?
I am always looking for ways to give back to my
community. After my child was born, I started organizing
toy drives on behalf of CHUM City Wish. We collected
toys in the lobby of my North York condominium and
delivered them to the warehouse in Mississauga. When
I moved to Etobicoke, I collaborated with a friend who
had a retail store to help collect the donations. Although
I am not personally involved in organizing a toy drive any
longer, I encourage everyone to participate by donating a
toy or by organizing a campaign.
Recently, my family became a foster family with Save
our Scruff – a rehome and rescue agency for dogs. Our
family loves animals and already had two dogs of our
own, including one rescue dog. I found out about Save
our Scruff at a dog festival and even though I am always
tempted to adopt more dogs, I knew we had found the
perfect way to get involved – before we knew it, we had
been approved to become a foster family!
Thirtieth Street, Etobicoke
416 286 2525 | www.publisher-ps.com
www.selfpublishing.today
Photo Credit: Tracey Nolan
A DAY IN THE LIFE
As ordinary as this day seems, each day is exciting
and challenging.
Between Wake up and ease into my morning with
5–6:00 AM Breakfast Television, CBC radio or reading.
Some of my reading can be text messages
or emails from my mobile device.
6:45 AM Get dressed / ready for the day.
7:00 AM Make breakfast (which is really making
coffee), pack lunch, feed dogs and let
them out.
8:00 AM Somewhere in this hour, I take the kids to
school, settle the dogs and send out messages
to clients based on morning emails.
9–11:00 AM Depending on the day of the week, this is
normally when I call or visit clients.
Noon I usually take my lunch around noon – either
with a client or with my team. On occasion,
I’ll work through lunch with my meal sitting
right next to me.
1–3:00 PM I spend my afternoons working on client
projects, layout or design of their books,
or working on the business.
3–5:00 PM The kids finish school around this time, so
I make final calls to clients and wrap up
my day with any final follow up messages.
6:00 PM Prepare dinner for the family and myself.
7:00 PM Tidy up and do chores around the house.
9:00 PM I end my day with some reading and relaxing.
The only way to do great work
is to love what you do.
– Steve Jobs
16 | VOLUME 1
January 2016 | 17