February
15, 2007
Presenting: Hong Zhao – A personal
evolution from Chinese Immigrant with Little English Skills to Becoming
A Successful English-Language Publisher in the Beach
Like so many other good ideas for my Celebrate
Toronto article series that starts with the Beach, the name
of this interview candidate came from Michael
Prue’s office who described Hong Zhao as a true Toronto
immigrant success story. 18 years ago Hong came to Toronto and barely
knew a few words in English. Today she is a graduate of a master’s
degree in computer science, has started a successful IT consulting
business and publishes the popular Beaches
Community Living Guide, a treasured community resource.
As an immigrant, Hong has been able to tap into the opportunity
that Canada has to offer, both from a professional, educational
and recreational point of view.
Along the way Hong has developed a real love for Canada - a wonderful
destination for this avid nature lover, for Toronto – the
city that welcomed her from day one, and for the Beach – the
neighbourhood by the lake that has become her home.
Hong Zhao, cross-country skiing with a friend
Here is a special story; a real testimonial; a story of hope, determination,
hard work and success – one person’s life story that
illustrates first-hand what makes our country and our city special.
1. Please tell us about your background growing up in China.
I was born and raised in China; my home city is called TianJin,
one of China’s three Municipalities under the direct jurisdiction
of the Central Government. It is situated on the west coast of the
Pacific Ocean, 100 kilometers south east of Beijing, the capital
of China.
The area I grow up in was once the concession of nine western countries
between 1860 and 1940. So many buildings including my own family’s
home were built in a European architectural style.
My entire formal school years took place during the ten years of
cultural revolution in China. For that reason I did not attend high
school, but joined the work force when I was 16. However, I come
from a family who believed in education; my mom was a high school
physics teacher for 35 years, and my father was a professional chemical
engineer. I somehow made up two years of high school education while
working full time. I was one of a few lucky people who passed our
national three day exam in a very hot July, and as a result I qualified
for university education.
Hong, hiking in the Italian Dolomites
2. What about your education and work experience in your
home country?
To fast forward, my major at university was in mathematics, and
my favorite topics were theory and topology. I immensely enjoyed
reading books by German philosophers. I don’t remember their
names now but their writings were translated into Chinese. At the
university, English was my least favorite subject.
I was very fortunate to land a position teaching mathematics at
the University of Foreign Trade in Tianjin. For six years I taught
calculus, linear algebra and statistics, and I spent one year studying
at Beijing University. I was an associate professor in 1989 when
I left my teaching position to come to Canada. I really enjoyed
interacting with my students and sharing my knowledge with them.
Those were the years when I had a lots free time to explore many
of my personal interests. Whenever I could, I would go to different
regions in China, visit small towns and experience the local traditions
and nature. I like painting and Chinese chorography, and I also
used my father’s darkroom equipment to develop black and white
film. I have always enjoyed physical activities such as volleyball,
paddling, tennis and skating.
Hong on the Great Wall of China
3. What motivated you to come to Canada?
After teaching mathematics for six years, a subject that is so complete
that no new topics can be added to it, I was ready for a change,
to do something new. It was also a time during which many young
people, not only in China but from all around the world, saw North
America (the US and Canada) as the place for opportunities and adventures,
and I was one of them.
However, I did not know how long I would stay in Canada when I first
came. I did not even have a chance to think about it because from
the very moment I got out of the airplane, I realized that this
is a very exciting and refreshing place, full of things to learn
and discover. And it had a lot of green – a wonderful place
for a nature lover like me!
4. What were your first couple of years like when you arrived
in Canada? How did you deal with the cultural adjustment? What about
your English skills when you first arrived here?
I knew very few words in English when I first came to Canada. I
enrolled in a full time English Program at York University for six
months. However, I realized very quickly that more than just the
language I needed to learn the culture - it was so different from
what I knew.
To give you a simple example: during the first few weeks in Canada
I made some new Canadian friends who took me to the grocery store
and explained to me the different products on the shelves. Without
their help I would not have known what the various grocery products
would have been for.
However, I was also very lucky that Sam, the owner of the Shoppers
Drug Mart at the York University campus, gave me a part-time cashier
position. I had this wonderful opportunity, not only to learn the
language through real-life conversations, but I also learned a great
deal about living in Canada and Canadian culture. I felt the people
around me welcomed me warmly, and their friendly acceptance of who
I am and their patience in teaching me about living in Canada was
how I started to become a Canadian..
Canada - a perfect destination for nature lovers
5. Shortly after your arrival in Canada you enrolled in
some educational programs. Please tell us about those.
Many people asked me if I want to be a teacher again. My answer
at the time was no. I hardly spoke any English then. For many years,
I had been interested in studying computer science. Computer technology
was very new and exciting, and at same time, it uses all the logic
of mathematics. Under the guidance of the chairman of York University’s
Faculty of Graduate Studies, I studied one year in computer theory
at York University to qualify me for my graduate studies.
I had multiple challenges during the few years following my acceptance
at the School of Graduate Studies, but I have to say that it was
also one of the best times in my life. I took in so much from my
professors, from my colleagues, and I also shared my knowledge with
the students as a teaching assistant. I almost pursued a career
in teaching again. I rediscovered my identity that now fit in with
the new life I was building, and I made some life-time friends throughout
this time.
In 1994, I graduated with a Masters degree in Computer Science from
York University. When I was in line waiting for my name to be called
at the graduation ceremony, my heart was not at all calm. I was
excited because I knew I was not just about to graduate with a Canadian
degree, but I had established a new life in Canada. This was now
my new home.
Sunset over Georgian Bay
6. After graduation you worked in Waterloo. Please tell
us about that time and why you came back to Toronto.
After graduation, I first worked at a small technology firm in Toronto;
then I moved to Waterloo to work for a computer software design
company. Throughout these eight years, I had the opportunity to
work in all areas of software design and development.
However, as more and more new software programs were being released
constantly, it became harder and harder for software users to understand
what to use and why to use it. Designing more software became less
and less interesting to me, and helping people understand and choose
the right technology became my goal. When I decided to switch from
the back end, from creating more programs, to the front end of using
the technology, I also moved back to Toronto, where most my personal
friends were. Toronto has been my home ever since.
Hong with Gene Domagala
7. What happened after your return to Toronto? You also
started a new business in the IT industry. Please tell us about
that.
I knew my goal was to help business users understand and choose
the right technology that would benefit their business. I also knew
that I wanted to work creatively in design and communications. To
prepare myself, I registered in a business program called Internet
Business and Technology at the University of Toronto. Soon after
my completion, I started my Internet strategy consulting business,
www.4Dimension.Ca.
This business is built on three principles in Internet communication:
an effective visual appearance to attract the right audience; effective
communications harnessing information and content; and effective
use of technology to increase productivity.
8. How did your connection with the Beach come about? What
do you think is unique about this neighbourhood?
About five years ago, like many new residents, I moved to the Beaches,
a place just west of Woodbine on Queen. Before I moved here, my
best memory, and a picture still frozen in my mind, was an image
of the Boardwalk in the winter. The lake, the crisp air and the
cold wind, the frozen ice-coated rocks along the shore created a
rare winter beauty.
I have learned so much about this community since I moved in. I
enjoy working down the street, visiting the small and unique shops.
I was discovering new places every day, and I became familiar with
the names of store owners, local landmarks, and local historians.
I can feel that people are proud when they talk about their neighbourhood
like no other place I have ever lived in.
Of course, the landscape, the lake, the most pleasant boardwalk
in the city, but also the parks and open spaces between shops, the
steep winding streets, and the southward views of the lake from
a distance make this a truly unique place.
9. You are also the publisher of the Beaches
Living Guide. How did this project come about, what is its philosophy
and how has it evolved since its inception?
The Guide was initially created as an easy-to-use and informative
resource where people can find as much information as they need
about local businesses, services, and community information. It
was also designed to help both newcomers and visitors learn about
who we are and why people like this place so much. Most importantly,
it was to help local businesses reach local residents who have busy
lives and don’t always have time to browse through stores
searching for specific items. People like to do business locally
if it is easy for them. With Beaches Living both in print and online,
people can locate the information they need conveniently if even
they are not at home.
There are not only many unique businesses and services in this community,
but also many unique professionals living in the neighbourhood.
These people also would like to do business within their own community
if they can easily find what they need.
Our readers also very much appreciated the local history, landmarks
and interests, and community events. The Guide reaches over 40,000
homes with readers in Riverdale, Leslieville, the Beaches, along
the Danforth, the Bluffs and Cliffside. Now the guide is read and
used by many people from other parts of the GTA and from out of
town. Many people who know the Beaches but live in other cities.
Even people from outside Canada use our website to find information
they need.
10. What can you tell us about your experience as an entrepreneur
in Toronto?
As a start-up business, using my own ideas, my entrepreneurial
career has both been very challenging and also very rewarding.
Unlike working for someone else, there is a very strong sense of
responsibility and commitment to our customers, our community and
our readers, as well as to everyone who works with us. Our customers
are mostly local small business owners. They endure very busy hours
during the day, working extremely hard to give the best to their
own customers, and then take care of the administrative side of
their business at night. I sometimes talk with them through email
at 1:00 or 2:00 AM. This experience has given me so much appreciation
for small business owners. Their spirit continues to inspire and
motivate me to do more and better for them. They have become my
circle of business friends, and I have become one of them. My business
is to help them to be more successful.
Another reward for me is the opportunity to meet and work with many
successful entrepreneurs and great people I never otherwise would
have met. I have always been interested in reading business books
and stories, also biographies of successful business people. Now
I can directly associate them with my own experience in business.
Personally I work many long hours and often at odd times of the
day. This means that I am frequently not able to pursue some of
my personal interests. In spite of this, I love what I do; it is
very satisfying to have the opportunity and freedom to do what I
enjoy the most, and make a difference for others. I am able to utilize
my skills and knowledge, and I also enjoy the interaction with other
people.
Flying into the Nahanni River
11. You are a world traveller, please tell us about some
of the places you have visited.
I still consider my first international traveling experience to
be my journey from China to Canada, which has become my home. My
first trip to Europe was to France; together with people from England,
the United States and Austria we canoed alone the Dordogne River
in southern France, and we had unforgettable experiences in Paris
and Belgium. We had the opportunity to see many world-renowned original
works of classic art, and we tasted traditional European culture.
Even more remarkable was when I realized that I could go anywhere
in the world as I wanted to.
Since my first trip to France, I have been to many places in Italy,
and I made a point not to miss any sculptures by Michelangelo in
Florence. I went hiking in the Dolomite mountains in Italy, I visited
Munich and Berlin in Germany, Vienna and Innsbruck in Austria, as
well Geneva in Switzerland where my sister and her family live now.
I usually plan my trips so I can cover culture, nature, adventure
and specific personal interests such as woodcarving, sculpting,
and architecture.
Hong Zhao in Paris
12. You are a very multi-faceted individual. Please tell
us about your love for nature that you have nourished particularly
since you came to Canada. What are some of your favourite nature
places and activities? What other sports activities do you enjoy?
Nature is in my blood. I grew up in a family with parents who always
introduced us to many new things. I am grateful for the valuable
experiences they gave me. Now I enjoy many outdoor activities and
challenges such as whitewater canoeing, paddling on Georgian Bay
and along the French River, all spectacular landscapes.
One of my favorite rivers is the Dumorin River in Qubec. Together
with some friends, we flew in to the top of the river and paddled
down to the Ottawa River which we crossed to finish the trip. I
was also very lucky to have the experience of a lifetime paddling
the Nahanni River in the North West Territories with five of my
closest friends. I have also organized hiking and backpacking trips
to Killarney Provincial Park, the Adirondacks in New York State,
and the Canadian Rockies out west. Skiing and cycling have always
been part of my favorite activities for the last 18 years. In the
city, tennis is what I like to do the most.
Hong, pursuing her passion: wood carving
13. As a true renaissance woman, you also have an interest
in visual arts and sculpture, particularly wood carving. Please
tell us about this special talent of yours.
Since I was about 10 years old I have enjoyed making things based
on my own ideas, just like my father. When I had free time, I would
do some painting, but I was more serious about Chinese chorography
when I was younger. Visiting art galleries and museums has always
been one of my favourite activities wherever I go, including traveling
in China. That has also been the reason for most of my trips to
various cities in Europe where I have a chance to see some extraordinary
art pieces, architecture and sculptures.
Around 1997 I was ready to pick up something new that would interest
to me. My love for nature made me want to do something with wood,
and I started a wood carving course. First it was whittling an animal,
then I found myself carving a human face and other abstract three-dimensional
objects with chisels and a mallet. This hobby eventually turned
into a passion. The challenge of working with different wood grains
and the beauty of the wood are immensely rewarding.
I have since made special trips to visit many small towns in the
Dolomites in Italy as well as to Oberammergau in southern Germany,
the birth places of woodcarving. Several of my vacations to Europe
were to study at a professional woodcarving school at Elbigenalp
in the western part of Austria. I know I am very passionate about
my woodcarving and sculpting when I talk about it.
"The Thinker"
14. What is in store for Hong Zhao in the coming year and
beyond?
I am committed to this community, to the businesses in the Beaches
and to my business of making the Beaches
Living Guide a household resource guide for our neighbourhood.
I want to stay connected to the community, to the residents and
our local businesses. And I am craving for time to do my wood sculpting!!
Hong, thank you so much for your time and for sharing the first
installment of your life story with us. I know there are so many
exciting chapters yet to be written. You have truly made the best
of your decision to come to Canada, and I know that your story will
inspire many.
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Hong Zhao: From Chinese Immigrant with
Little English Skills to Becoming A Successful English-Language
Publisher in the Beach
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