Success is

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes

Dato Jimmy Choo Yeang
Keat
Abdul Samad bin
Muhammad Said
Yuna
Dato Lee Chong wei
Dato Nicol Ann David
Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh
Dr Sheikh Muzaffar Shukor
Chef Wan
FAMOUS MALAYSIAN
6 Lessons To Learn

From Malaysian Shoe

Designer & Millionaire
Businessman Jimmy
Choo
 Shoe lovers certainly have heard of the
man behind one of the most luxurious
footwear brands in the worldJimmy Choo.
Born in 1961 in Georgetown, Penang,when
Choo was a child,he was already immersed
in the art of shoe-making. This was all
thanks to his father who taught him the
craft and skill and by the age of 11, Choo
made his first pair of shoes.
 In the early 1980s, Choo decided to
further his studies and made his way to
England to pursue footwear and shoe
designing at Cordwainers Technical
College in Hackney (now part of the
London College of Fashion). In order to
pay for his education, Choo took up
several part-time jobs at restaurants and
worked as a cleaner at a shoe factory.
 In 1986 after graduating,he started to
work at a shop in Hackney which he
opened by renting an old hospital
building. His turning point was when his
creations became featured in Vogue
magazine in the 1988 issue. Even
Princess Diana of Wales took notice in
his work around 1990 and soon became
a loyal customer.
 From rag-to-riches, many businessmen started
from humble beginnings and did not let poverty
become an obstacle to success. Today Choos
creation is recognised worldwide with a large
clientele such as Michelle Obama and Beyonc, as
well as high-end retail clients that includes Harrods
and Saks Fifth Avenue. The Choo brand has also
expanded to handbags and other accessories.
Currently Choo is involved in a project to set up a
shoe-making institute in Malaysia, and we thought
it would be a good idea to go back to the basics
and look at some of the life and entrepreneurial
lessons we can learn from Jimmy Choo himself.
1)Be innovative, foster
talent and enjoy what you
do.
Choo travels around the world to look for
young artisans who able to draw and
make shoes, for instance,his chief
designer Illiza Ho worked as his assistant
designer since 2011 and debuted her
label in Malaysia. Choo also started a
class at Curtin University Australia to
foster young designers and teach them
how to obtain the skill of shoe crafting.
 If you dont create something new and
not love what you do, it is very difficult
to succeed. I am not scared of them
copying my design, idea or inspiration. I
am worried that they will become lazy
and not come up with new designs.
To have a strong
superstructure, first you
must
have athat
Choo describes strong
a good pair of shoes
is designed with strong foundation, and
foundation.
we should apply this principle in our
daily life. Even in entrepreneurship, it
helps to first have a firm stand on your
principles, beliefs and objectives, so that
when hardships come, your foundation is
strong enough to keep you upright.
 I design like an architect.

Its a beautiful, distinctive art, and

shoes are like the foundations. If the
foundations arent right, the building
wont stand upright, and if a womans
balance isnt right, nothing else is.
Stay hungry, stay foolish

Choo often spent his spare time learning

new skills when growing up in Malaysia.
Despite being perceived as one of the
successful designers in the world, he still
very much keen on learning new
knowledge.
I never claim that I am successful
because this gives me a reason to keep
on learning and be a good student.
Give back to your
community
in ways
One of the popular thetoway youto
give back
your local
know how community
to. is donating money
to local charities. But at the same time,
you can also impart your skills to the
young.For example, Choo is planning to
launch a shoe academy worldwide, with
the first to open in Malaysia.
 Im still designing shoes and sketching. I
cant be without designing shoes. Im still
training young people and working with
them closely. Last year, I went back to
the London College of Fashion and
helped to raise money for young
students. Thats what Im doing mostly
raising money for charities and
education. But I still design shoes. I
cannot stop.

Giving your son a skill is better
than giving him one thousand
Hawking your skill or expertise is one
pieces of gold.
way to earn money. Whether it is writing
or talking, these are some of the
profitable skills you own and you can
make use of it to generate income. For
Choos case, it would be manufacturing
shoes.
 My father never forced me to make
shoes or design one. He said if I have a
skill, then I can get a job wherever I
travel in the future. He suggested I learn
something really good, which was
making shoes.
Go explore and travel, its
an
investment
As one of the Tourismin yourself.
Ambassador for
Malaysia, Choo travels almost every
month, not just for business, but also for
seminars and talks. During an interview
withTelegraph, Choo cites that travelling
is one the sources of inspiration for his
designs;from the culture, architecture
and people of a country.
 I am lucky to have the chance to visit the
key the capitals of the world for my
business. I enjoy meeting all the stars and
celebrities and we share views and ideas. Its
really refreshing as I often meet dynamic
new talents in their respective creative fields
during my trips. It keeps me vibrant as I
constantly have new sources of inspiration
and drive, either from the people I meet or
the destinations I travel to.

Source:Fireflyz