Full name and position/job description:
Kimberly Pao - owner of m0851 Vancouver, 1035 Alberni Street 604.688.9575

What does M0851 stand for?:
M0851 represents the designer and owner Frederic Mamarbachi. The M is for his last name (and also for where all the products are designed and made - Montreal) and his birthday (August 1951).

Your absolute favorite weekend activities (besides shopping):
I love brunch with the girls (to catch up all that has happened during our week), leash-free dog parks where my Havanese Buddy terrorizes other dogs, and the bf and I chill out and read (him, the paper or the Economist and myself, novels, Vanity Fair or NY mag), and exploring the city to find hidden little neighborhood restaurants and cafes for good food.

What made you decide to come out to Vancouver, BC?:
When I was considering where to open my shop, I was contemplating between Vancouver and Calgary. Having been born and bred on the East Coast, I had enough of snow and felt that Vancouver had the best of both worlds: a slower pace of life, beautiful scenery and still a metropolitan city.

The pros and cons to owning a retail store:
Pros: working for myself and setting my own rules. Really having a say on what to buy (and sell).

Cons: All the back end stuff that usually head offices and a network of departments take care of, like accounting.

What is your favorite current song?:
I don’t have any favorite songs, but on heavy rotation: the Montreal band Stars and the Icelandic band Sigur Ros.

Your favorite trend this Spring/Summer 2008:
I’m not really someone who follows trends, but I do quite like the gladiator sandals popping up on everyone’s feet these days. My dislikes: anything ombre or tie dye, which started with last season’s Prada collection. Reminds me too much of the awful acid wash trend back in my childhood.

Making the jump on your own, what are some key things you learned in the process?:
I’ve learn that making lists are the key to any successful start-up. Making lists and then subsequently crossing things off. Keeps everything in check and also gives you a small sense of accomplishment when you have finished something. I’ve also learned to read the fine print in contracts. Very very important when negotiating a lease or agreements with suppliers and or contractors.

For all the things that have ever gone wrong in your life, what would you have done differently…knowing what you know now?:
I don’t think I would have done anything differently. Everything happens for a reason and shapes you to become the person you are. Take for example, this store. It all started when I quit my job as a technical writer, and fell into a retail position at m0851 Toronto. The job was only supposed to tie me over for three months before heading off to the UK (which didn’t happen) and then I stayed with at the Toronto store for five years, and well, here I am now. Every incident and circumstance, whether it’s good or bad, becomes a part of you.

Last but not least, what can you not live without?:
I can’t live without my m0851 leather jackets, denim (I own close to thirty pairs), Louboutin heels, and of course, my boyfriend Bryan and our dog Buddy.

Sunny Shum, Your Industry Insider