She’s definitely a worldly individual and a smart business woman. Oribu Olivia Yokota as traveled to many cites for work and now runs her own local business, MikaOlivia. On top of that, she’s also a yoga instructor! How does she find the time? She’s a super woman and she’s also your Industry Insider this week.

How do you get paid? (What do you do for a living?): I am a makeup artist and educator. I part own a makeup studio called MikaOlivia here in Vancouver with my business partner. We have makeup workshops, ESL Makeup courses, and we do makeup applications for everyone. I am starting to get some inquiries on being a personal makeup stylist/shopper, so I’m looking into the logistics right now. I also teach yoga privately.

How did you get into what you are doing now?: I taught at universities in Vancouver, Tokyo and New York for many years and decided to study makeup artistry in Tokyo while doing so because going to art school was something I wanted to do before I pursued a BA and an MA. In Tokyo, while working in the university, I was hired to be a makeup artist for visiting foreign talent like John Mayer and Charlotte Goodrem as a makeup artist/interpreter. My friend and I came up with combining both our skills together and that’s why we started MikaOlivia. But I am still evolving….

What are your favourite current items in your closet?: My black Obakki jacket, my yellow Miu Miu jacket, my $2.50 boyfriend jeans, all my Sunao Kuwahara knits and my Alexander McQueen sweater.

What was your last read?: YinSights by Bernie Clark…. its a great book for anyone interested
in Yin Yoga. I am now starting a book called “The First Word: The
Search for the Origins of Language” that my girlfriend gave me and I
can’t put it down. (Linguistics and yoga are my two other passions).

Your most precious item?: Two kimonos my mom passed on to me last year. My grandfather who was a kimono maker in Kyoto, Japan made it for her when she was younger. I never have a chance to wear it, but it remains in my closet wrapped in special paper. And, my limited edition Francesco Clemente art books my boyfriend gave me for my birthday that has a personal message to me from the artist.

What did you want to be when you were little?: A girly ninja or a pilot.

What hot item are you looking forward to this SS 2009?: Nars Summer Collection 2009 & Dolce & Gabbana Cosmetics.

One lesson you have learned and will never forget?: See the bigger picture and do what you believe is right.

Sunny Shum, Your Industry Insider

*Photo Credit: Jonathan Cruz