How Vancouver entrepreneur Wendy Yau Sum Cheung turned a turbulent childhood into a symphony of success

Vancouver-based Wendy Yau Sum Cheung is the founder of Mozart School of Music, a bestselling author, billboard songwriter, composer, movie director, business coach and keynote speaker. 

Growing up with a father that was physically present, but emotionally unavailable was an idiosyncratic journey for me. In recalling my earliest childhood memories, I always felt something was missing, and as if my independence was forced on me without asking. While in reality I had a dad, it didn’t feel like it most times. I relied heavily on my mother, but the truth is that both of my parents were overwhelmed. One was furiously working, and the other was tirelessly sleeping.

My father struggled with mental health issues: insomnia, depression, and anxiety all throughout his adult life. As far as I can recall, he spent the majority of his days sleeping. Conversations with him were rare. Most of our time together was spent in silence.

People always ask me: “Where does your immense drive to pursue business and success come from? Why are you so committed to giving back to your community?” Looking back, there were two obvious reasons: As someone who grew up with so little opportunity, I appreciate every last chance I am given. And I don’t want anyone else to experience the struggles that I did.

My home life, and my father’s mental health are what pushed me to the career path I chose. Early on, music became my safe haven, my canvas to express, and a place where I could deal with my internal struggles and discontentment without directly putting blame on my parents. It was an artful way to express my inner world and gave me an outlet to convey what I was truly feeling, without shame. It was therapy for my undesirable reality, and gave release to my inner turmoil, deep pain, loneliness, and vulnerability. The piano especially became a kind, gentle, and non-judgmental friend. With it, I shared the lowest and darkest days and these became some of the best memories of my life when no one was there to physically listen.

As a child raised by absent immigrant parents, I faced challenges that many business people and entrepreneurs can relate to. Resilience, perseverance, and the ability to overcome were lessons I learned from early on, and that I apply to my journey as a multifaceted businesswoman and entrepreneur every single day. From founding the Mozart School of Music to an unexpected turn into successful ventures in real estate as the co-founder of Peak Performance Investments and later, Alture Properties, to my latest passion project, the SENSES Concert coming to the Orpheum Theatre this fall, I perceive obstacles as an opportunity and a blessing in disguise, even on the hardest days.

A single ‘worst day on the job’ comes and goes. One thing I know for certain is that I don’t want to waste my life and sleep through it as if it didn’t matter. Because of the way I grew up, I’ve come to now see every hardship as an opportunity to develop my resilience. The brief time it takes to rebound results in learning to make better business decisions. I also believe deeply in giving second chances, appreciating the people around me, choosing optimism, and always looking for ways to give back, whether through mentorship or in other ways. In a commercially driven society, this is essential, and I have learned that this mindset is actually an asset in the business world.

SENSES is quite literally an expression of my journey as an Asian Canadian businesswoman, my philosophy as a thriving individual, and a unique platform for communal healing and inspiration. This concert is an opportunity to raise awareness for men’s mental health, a deeply personal cause as a result of my lived experience with my father. All ticket proceeds will be donated to Heads Up Guys, the country’s leading men’s mental health resource.

I am certain this next venture will present me with a new ‘worst day on the job’, and with it, many new lessons will be learned. But, my past experiences have taught me that resilience, grit, and joy will result in inner success, no matter the outcome. Bringing community together and allowing subconscious healing to happen through a shared emotional, musical experience is a way for me to reconcile with my past while building something of value for the present and future. Empowering others to pursue their own passions and create positive change in their communities is all I can hope to do. Will there be lessons along the way? Yes. Will it be worth it? Also, yes.