Redefining success: How SFU Beedie’s Executive MBA helped one alumnus strengthen her business and shape a legacy

Celia Chiang’s journey has long been rooted in entrepreneurship. From launching flower shops in Coquitlam and Port Moody at 25 to running a boutique distillery in North Vancouver, she’s built a career around creativity, freedom, and connecting with people through meaningful experiences.

Now, as the owner-operator of The Woods Spirit Co., Chiang is incorporating her skills and learnings from the SFU Beedie Executive MBA program to breathe new life into her growing business, while also laying the foundation for a legacy she hopes to one day pass on to her daughter, who is also studying business at SFU Beedie’s undergrad program.

“It is a family business,” says Chiang. “My daughter is in business school at SFU Beedie. And potentially, this might be something that I can pass along—something that I can build that’s a legacy.”

It was during COVID that Chiang started to feel that there were gaps in her learning. The realization caused her to start exploring MBA programs—and it was SFU Beedie that she landed on.

Drawn to the Executive MBA’s cohort model and the chance to learn alongside other seasoned professionals, Chiang found SFU Beedie’s program to be the ideal fit for her goals. As a mature student with years of entrepreneurial experience, she appreciated the opportunity to join a diverse group of peers who brought a wide range of industry backgrounds and perspectives to the classroom.

Many of Chiang’s classmates came from executive roles at large corporations, while she brought experience from running a small business in event planning and floral design. Although the environment was initially unfamiliar and challenging, she found it very supportive and collaborative. Working closely with such a diverse and accomplished group helped her build strong communication and teamwork skills. By the end of the program, Chiang had gained a great education and a cohort of amazing friends.

The biggest takeaway? Perspective. As a small business owner, Chiang had been focused on day-to-day operations without much time to consider broader concepts like operational efficiency, change management, or digital transformation.

Introduced to Woods while wrapping up the MBA, she was drawn to the space, people, and products. Founded by Fabio Martini, the distillery had been running for five years before Chiang took it over in November. Her curiosity about the craft led her to attend distillery school, where she discovered its creative side. She now enjoys experimenting with unique flavors and creating niche but approachable products and finds motivation in the challenges, problem-solving, and rewarding moments of entrepreneurship.