Irene Yip

“講廣東話.”

Speak Cantonese, in other words.

So said Irene’s parents when, as a child, she tried speaking English to them. They insisted that she speak to them only in her native language – as a matter of preserving her Chinese heritage and providing her with the widest array of opportunities they could muster.

Their loving insistence was just one strand in a legacy of life lessons passed down especially from Irene’s father, who grew up in a home without electricity in a rural village in Hong Kong, put himself through university in New York City while sending money home, became an accountant and rose to be the controller of a North American company. Only to start at the bottom again – after moving his young family to Canada before the 1999 handover of Hong Kong from British to Chinese rule – and becoming a highly successful serial entrepreneur and property investor.

“Even when they started to have money,” says Irene, “my parents would say that times were tight. I’m very fortunate for their guidance on working hard and being financially responsible from an early age. That’s why I enjoy working at Aretec: because we can provide similar guidance to our clients and help them realize their wealth.”

Money is very important. Your health and family are more important. That’s what Irene knows from her hard-working dad neglecting his health and having a stroke, from which he fortunately recovered, as a young man. So it’s no surprise that Irene and her husband work hard to achieve financial stability, yes, and also focus on a healthy and active lifestyle that includes going to the gym, enjoying walks, and lots of family time.

“It was important for me to find a partner who shared the same personal values and financial goals,” she says.

A pescatarian, Irene studied holistic nutrition in addition to earning a BCom, majoring in Business Management, from Toronto Metropolitan University.

To her work as Aretec’s Client Operations Manager, Irene brings a wealth of experience in client service from roles in real estate, property management, insurance and banking.

Ask anyone who’s ever worked with her: she doesn’t just pay attention to the details – she crushes them. She isn’t just organized – she is a perfectionist who can’t relax until everything is just so. Although, it must be said: you would never detect unease beneath the calm she absolutely radiates.