From Student to Franchise Owner: How Mira Built Her Dream Career on a CBU Foundation
When Mira Yang arrived in Canada in 2010, she was looking for more than just an education; she was looking for an opportunity to build a future. She began her journey at the (then called ICEAP) and within a year, started in the Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management program at Cape Breton University. That decision, she says, was life-changing.
鈥淚 chose CBU because of its strong hospitality program and the chance to study in a supportive environment,鈥� Mira explains. 鈥淎nd being in Sydney, I had no choice but to speak English, which turned out to be a great thing. It really helped me improve and become more comfortable talking to people.鈥�
Mira graduated in 2014 and headed to the Greater Toronto Area in search of opportunity. It was there that a visit to a franchise show sparked an unexpected idea. She discovered Mary Brown鈥檚 Chicken, a proudly Canadian quick-service restaurant chain, and saw a future for herself in it. In 2019, Mira opened her first Mary Brown鈥檚 location. Two years later, she opened her second.
鈥淚鈥檝e always enjoyed working with people and making them feel welcome,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 like the energy, the teamwork and the idea of creating great experiences for others. That鈥檚 what first drew me to hospitality, and it鈥檚 what I try to bring into my stores every day.鈥�
Her success, she鈥檚 quick to point out, didn鈥檛 happen by accident. 鈥淐BU gave me a strong foundation both in terms of knowledge and experience. I also worked during my Co-op, and that really helped me understand how the industry works in real life,鈥� Mira says. 鈥淭he program didn鈥檛 just teach theory, it prepared us for the actual workplace.鈥�
She credits her time at CBU with sharpening her communication, time management and problem-solving skills, and with teaching her how to work effectively with people from different backgrounds, skills she now uses to lead a diverse and growing team.
鈥淎t CBU I learned how important it is to be a good communicator and a positive role model,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hose things are the key to success in any business. I always try to lead by example and create a workplace that鈥檚 inclusive, fair and supportive, just like what I got from my time at CBU.鈥�
As a business owner, Mira enjoys mentoring others. 鈥淭he most rewarding part of running your own business is seeing my team grow, creating jobs for others and building strong relationships with customers,鈥� she says. 鈥淎lso, proving to myself that I can build something from the ground up has been incredibly fulfilling.鈥�
Looking back on her journey from Cape Breton to becoming a two-time franchise owner in Canada, Mira is proud of what she鈥檚 achieved and optimistic about what鈥檚 next.
鈥淚鈥檓 proud that I had the courage to start something on my own in a new country,” she says. “Opening and running two locations wasn鈥檛 easy, but it showed me how far I鈥檝e come and how much more I can still grow.鈥�
Her advice to current and future CBU students is to take risks, be open to learning from everyone and start building your network early.
To learn more about CBU’s Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management program, visit our Program Page.