Bee Shyuan Chang, Freelance Writer
They say to write what you know. Born in Taiwan, raised in Seattle, and having tried her hand at everything from hedge fund law to painting, there’s plenty of ground for Bee Shyuan Chang to explore. Chang has written for publications like the New York Times, W Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, and Fast Company (stubbornly refusing to let her anachronistic BlackBerry addiction slow her down).
Hands down, best professional advice you ever got.
“Talent only matters so much. Tenacity and perseverance go further in the long run.”
“Talent only matters so much. Tenacity and perseverance go further in the long run.”
What skill or habit do you think is vital for success?
“Figuring out a system that works for you. For example, I have mild ADD and I’ve figured out I’m productive if I have a few things going on at once, but I stay organized via Google Calendar so things don’t spin out of control. Other than that? Caffeine.”
“Figuring out a system that works for you. For example, I have mild ADD and I’ve figured out I’m productive if I have a few things going on at once, but I stay organized via Google Calendar so things don’t spin out of control. Other than that? Caffeine.”
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT
What’s your favorite thing to wear to work?
“A bright cotton or silk dress and my favorite Prada platforms. I’ve had them resoled maybe six times now.”
“A bright cotton or silk dress and my favorite Prada platforms. I’ve had them resoled maybe six times now.”
Your Working Girl Essentials?
“It’s embarrassing, but I’m still on a BlackBerry. I can’t give it up because I take notes on it and the keyboard is essential!” (We told you.)
“It’s embarrassing, but I’m still on a BlackBerry. I can’t give it up because I take notes on it and the keyboard is essential!” (We told you.)
Who’s your working girl inspiration?
“Does Helena Bonham Carter count? She’s immensely good at what she does, and off the set, she seems to do whatever she wants.” (We say she absolutely counts. Who else could wear two different-colored shoes on the red carpet and still have our undying devotion?)
“Does Helena Bonham Carter count? She’s immensely good at what she does, and off the set, she seems to do whatever she wants.” (We say she absolutely counts. Who else could wear two different-colored shoes on the red carpet and still have our undying devotion?)
Photographed by Sunny Shokrae