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May 27, 2025

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From the Boardroom to the Comedy Club

Julie Kim didn’t begin her career in comedy—she initially followed the stereotypically ‘Asian’ path of stable jobs in academia and office work. Born and raised in Toronto to a Korean immigrant family, her upbringing took place in a tight-knit, two-bedroom apartment above her family’s grocery store. “At one point, there were seven people in the apartment,” she recalls. “And for a solid six or seven years, I slept on the pull-out sofa bed in the living room.”

With multiple degrees under her belt—including a Master’s and two attempts at a PhD—she straddled the worlds of business, education, and motherhood. Amidst the hustle and bustle, there remained a silent passion in her for a creative life. “At first, I wanted to speak well to stand out among a sea of old white men in boardrooms,” she says. “I also wanted to do a difficult, admirable thing. It was a checkbox.”

Julie Kim | Comedian

A Dramatic Shift to Comedy

Julie didn’t quit everything overnight to pursue comedy. She experimented with it while holding multiple stable jobs, contract roles, while also pursuing her PhD, oscillating between full and part-time focus on her studies. But passion has a way of growing, and eventually, she did what she had to—crossing what she describes as ‘a bridge between conventional pursuits and creative pursuits.’ She stepped away from academia, turned down secure opportunities, and entered a world full of uncertainty and creative risk.

However, Julie was no stranger to the industry’s harsh stereotypes. She faced mistreatment and discrimination, navigating everything from blatant racism to sexism disguised as condescension.  “One booker tried to push me out of the scene because I winced when someone tried to make me kiss him against my will,” she shares.  “A few local comics hated or resented me from the start because I didn’t ‘need’ to do comedy—as if they deserved it more because I had other options. It was a different kind of discrimination I hadn’t encountered before, but for sure it taught me to stay far, far away from the bitter ones in this industry.”

Jumping to comedy, Julie Kim’s now one of Canada’s most sought-after comedians.

Despite this, Julie pressed forward like the boss that she’s always been. “I had to learn how to produce and promote my own shows. And that built tenacity,” she says. “Now, I’m centered in my identity. My cultural identity and my confidence in it are central to much of the  success I’ve had in the past few years.”

Today, she’s one of Canada’s most sought-after comedians, performing alongside stars like Ronny Chieng, Atsuko, JR de Guzman, and more as she headlines major comedy clubs across North America. “This is the best time of my life,” she says. 

“I’m having the time of my life. But also, I’m still working on a little scarcity mentality and the feeling of constant survival mode,” she shares. “Part of me really enjoys that and part of me needs a new car and a real vacation.”

Being a Mom on the Mic

Being a mother in comedy isn’t easy—especially when constantly on the road. Julie has faced criticism from all sides: family members, fellow parents, and the weight of societal expectations. ‘I deal with it by blocking people out of my life or turning them into jokes—or both,’ she says with a laugh.

Her journey as a mother isn’t separate from her comedy—it is integral to it. “To do my work well, I need to be grounded, happy, and creative. So I try more and more to take care of myself to be those things,” she reflects. “I think it’s an accomplishment to still be writing and performing after more than a decade of true hustling. It’s taken a lot of grit, perseverance, some audacity, and foolishness.”

Julie Kim’s experience as a mother isn’t separate from her comedy career.

Julie Kim’s list of accolades is stacked: writing and producing Simu Liu’s iconic I Am Canadian monologue at the JUNO Awards, winning a 2023 Canadian Screen Award, and headlining four sold-out Just for Laughs shows in Toronto.  She’s also written for Kim’s Convenience and Run the Burbs, two shows centred around Asian Canadian families that have reached global audiences. 

As she continues to tour across North America, Julie is also working on upcoming television and film projects and producing her new podcast, Bothered. Next, she will prepare for a new 2026 tour of her solo storytelling show called ‘No One Special’ and writing her first book. 

Connect With Julie Kim

Website: https://www.juliekimcomedy.com/shows 

Podcast: https://www.juliekimcomedy.com/podcast 

Instagram: @juliekimcomedy

YouTube: @JulieKimComedy 

Facebook: Julie Kim

TikTok: @juliekimcomedy

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Building Tomorrow: How Nan Lin Redefines Homebuilding with 3D Printing 

For Nan Lin, entrepreneurship isn’t just business; it’s freedom. A freedom earned through sacrifice, relentless execution, and a refusal to accept the limits of a broken system. As the founder of Kaizen Capital and 4DIFY, Lin is reimagining the housing industry, tackling its inefficiencies with cutting-edge technology and a bold vision. His mission? To build stronger homes faster, at lower costs, empowering communities and challenging the status quo.

From Immigrant Roots to Visionary Leadership 

Lin’s journey began at age 10, when he immigrated to America with his mother. While adapting to a new country, he was inspired by his loving parents’ sacrifices, which shaped his relentless drive. “I saw the lengths they went to give me a better life,” Lin says. “Their love and dedication became my compass.” Years later, that resolve led to the creation of Kaizen Capital, where he transforms underutilized properties into vibrant housing solutions: ADUs, subdivisions, condo conversions, and luxury short-term rentals. By unlocking hidden value in land, he delivers market-rate and affordable housing that strengthens neighborhoods.

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Nan Lin | Founder and Principal of Kaizen Capital and 4DIFY

3D Printing: The Future of Housing, Today

Lin’s vision for 4DIFY was sparked by a frustrating reality: “Wildfires destroy neighborhoods every year, yet we keep building stick-frame homes that burn like kindling,” he says.

After visiting several 3D printer manufacturers, Lin partnered with New York–based SQ4D. It took nearly a year to secure exclusive licensing rights, navigate regulatory hurdles, and obtain building permits, but he got it done.

Now, 4DIFY is building California’s first community of 3D-printed concrete homes. As this article goes live, their first printed home is nearing completion, despite heavy regulations and a steep learning curve. The team is already outperforming traditional timelines and cost benchmarks. The second and third homes will soon print simultaneously, targeting completion in two months, effectively one home per month at under $200 per square foot.

Despite challenges as an Asian immigrant, Lin managed to transform them into motivation and success. 

“We’re aiming to build at half the cost and in a quarter of the time,” Lin says. “That’s not a dream. It’s the direction we’re heading.”

Built with concrete, reinforced with rebar, and topped with metal roofs, these homes are resilient against fire, wind, earthquakes, mold, and pests. They’re also designed for long-term savings, with lower maintenance, less waste, and reduced energy and insurance costs.

“Critics doubted it would work,” Lin reflects. “But seeing is believing. This is the future.”

A Philosophy of Purpose and Resilience

Lin’s journey has been marked by relentless challenges, some seemingly insurmountable. “Obstacles never stop,” he admits. Yet he transforms adversity into opportunity, fueled by a positive mindset, solution-driven focus, and disciplined execution. His trusted team is his backbone. “No one succeeds alone,” he says. “My team turns the impossible into reality.” This resilience shapes his leadership, blending bold vision with purposeful action to create opportunities, particularly for communities long excluded from wealth-building. “Housing isn’t just a product,” Lin says. “It’s a platform for empowerment.”

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Lin’s impact is gaining notice. The Sacramento Bee named him one of the Top 20 AAPI Change Makers, and he was honored in the Business Elite Awards’ 40 Under 40. But for Lin, the real reward is inspiring others. “I want to show the next generation of Asian entrepreneurs what’s possible when we claim our seat at the table,” he says.

Lin wants to create opportunities for those marginalized by elevating the future of construction, making it more accessible for his community.

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