Dec 01, 2014 8 Questions with: Amy Wong
I first met Amy Wong through her work for POW! WOW! Hawaii with husband Jasper Wong (interviewed). She has recently launched a great, fashion-forward apparel brand for kids’ ages 2-10, inspired by streetwear, culture and the arts, called Big Bad Wolf. The brand was born of Amy’s having a difficult time finding the fashion and street wear styles she wanted to her dress her daughter in. Big Bad Wolf was born. The unique label has already collaborated with accomplished and talented artists like James Jean and Yoskay Yamamoto. Follow Big Bad Wolf on Instagram for more!
What are you currently working on?
Huffing and puffing and trying to blow houses down with Big Bad Wolf. The brand is still in its infancy stages and I’m hoping it gets up on its legs and starts walking soon. In the meantime, it is all about getting the word out. We’re trying to howl as loud as possible by creating great designs and working with amazing artists.
How would you describe your job?
Raising my daughter Ella is my first and most important job. Big Bad Wolf is my second kid. I am involved with every detail from start to finish. I never had cool stuff growing up and I definitely had no inkling of “swag”. I find a lot of enjoyment in creating something that adults want for themselves but is exclusively for kids. “Silly rabbit. Trix are for kids.” Is what I tell the parents that want adult sized tees.
What does your average work day look like?
My average day heavily involves mommy duties. Feeding my little munchkin and changing her poopy diapers fills the minutes of my hours. In those rare moments of free time when my daughter is frolicking in her own devices, I rush to the office and toil away. These small moments of free time allows me to give life to the brand. It’s a balancing act, but being an active mom and building a company of my own is the dream.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration through my daughter and my husband. Without my daughter Ella, I would have never imagined building a kids line. Her existence birthed Big Bad Wolf. My husband Jasper inspires and supports me. When I was hesitant to dive head first into the deep end, he gave me the push that I needed and the encouragement to swim.
What’s the best thing about living and working in Hawaii?
Hawaii is my hometown. I was born and raised on these tropical islands. There are key ingredients that are in Hawaii that make it special. The people, the weather, and the unending support from the community. High fives and shakas are an everyday occurrence here.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grow up?
To be honest, as a small and naive child, I wanted to be a secretary. It’s ridiculous when I look back on those childhood aspirations and wonder why I didn’t want to be a president or astronaut. But, I think it stemmed for my love of organization and planning. Two aspects that were key when I managed high end retail stores. These skill sets are often translated in my work on Big Bad Wolf. At the end, I want to be remembered for doing something amazing. Trying to be the best mother that I can be and succeeding with Big Bad Wolf are steps in the right direction.
What are you reading at the moment?
I’m a sucker for stories about the human struggle to dominate the impossible. The book that I’m currently engrossed in is Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand.
What’s your favorite post-work destination?
I have a few skeletons in the closet. I’m a fan of competition television shows and trashy reality series. “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” provides a healthy does of junk food to my diet. “The Voice”, “Biggest Loser,” and “Top Model” fills the rest of my television food pyramid.
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