Vivien Wong

vivien wong

Co-founder, Tsuki Mochi, on bar work, singing along with Kylie Minogue and sticks in vases

What was your first-ever job? It was a Saturday job delivering cakes for my parents’ business when I was 17. I loved the buzz of driving around London meeting customers.

What’s been your worst job interview? It was for a bar job… they asked me to make them a Jameson - I asked if it was a cocktail. I did not get the job.

What was the first music single you bought? Kylie Minogue’s first album from Woolworths. I still know every single word.

How do you describe your job to your mates? Most of my friends still work in the City so I don’t think they fully understand how varied my day-to-day role can be. My day can range from unblocking a drain, doing accounts, formulating a new ice-cream recipe, having a team meeting to doing an emergency delivery.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job? Seeing people enjoying our mochi! I also get to meet a lot of very interesting people who all run their own businesses.

What’s the least rewarding part? Machine breakdowns - we don’t contract manufacture our products so we have full control of the process, which means we need to be handy with a screwdriver.

What’s your motto? Life is short, seize the day!

What’s your nickname? At school it was Wongy.

If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? Time and funds to travel extensively.

What’s your favourite movie? Chef - it’s light-hearted, fun and about following your passion.

What’s been the most embarrassing moment in your life? Explaining to a friend that I don’t understand how sticks in vases can be decorative only to go to her home to find multiple vases with sticks in them…. We’re still friends (ish).

Do you have any phobias? Needles, pain and blood.

If you could change one thing in grocery what would it be? That labelling rules on imported goods are as clear and accurate as required by goods manufactured in the UK. I sincerely hope GMO products to Europe are limited.

What luxury would you have on your desert island? Daily massages after a morning run.

What animal best reflects your personality? I’d say an armadillo: crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside.