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Dolls have been with us for many centuries now, evolving from wooden dolls, clay dolls, and paper dolls, to plastic dolls, but the message that they send us has always been the same. They are often imbued with symbolism about what is acceptable and desirable in our society.
For children, dolls can mean a lot of different things, but most importantly, dolls can help them build their creativity, imagination, individuality, and even self-esteem. For this reason, Eunice Chen launched the World’s Very First Asian Heritage Wooden Magnetic Dress-Up Dolls.
Read through as we learn more about the journey that led Eunice to create Stay Curious Toys, all of which she shared through an exclusive interview with Asian Hustle Network.
THE CREATION OF STAY CURIOUS DOLLS
When Eunice first embarked on her project of designing an Asian princess and giving her many traditional Asian clothing, it was purely for her own enjoyment and fulfillment of one of her childhood wishes. She wanted to share her designs as a free resource to the Asian community, so she created paper doll versions and posted them online.
“I wasn’t expecting much response, but it BLEW UP!” Eunice said. She got thousands of likes and hundreds of comments from people thanking her and asking her to turn it into a real toy product.
Months passed and people were still asking her to make the dolls into a wooden toy. She did not know where to begin and literally just Googled and researched online. Somehow, she stumbled across a factory that she (later on) discovered also makes wooden toys for big brand names such as Disney, Fisher-Price, and Melissa and Doug! One thing led to another, and now she owns her own toy company called Stay Curious Toys, with her first products being magnetic dress-up dolls.
PIVOTING FROM BEING AN ELEMENTARY TEACHER TO A FULL-TIME DESIGNER
Before becoming a designer, Eunice was an elementary school teacher. In December 2020, she decided to do a complete career pivot to become a designer, and had a dream of working as a designer in the animation industry. Growing up though, Eunice also wanted to become a fashion designer.
Little did she know that all of her dreams would come true, and that she would have the opportunity and enjoy designing her own toys and their clothes too.
Despite having no formal education in art and no connections in the art industry, Eunice worked hard, took art classes and learned to ask for help. She is now working as a full time designer on a Disney TV show, has illustrated four books, and designed toys.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
Just like everyone, Eunice faced some challenges along the way, one of which was fear of failure, and a lot of self-doubt.
“I still don’t know the best way to deal with it and I haven’t overcome it, but I just continue to push through. I know that if I take small steps towards my goal or dreams daily, then one day I will get to the destination,” she said.
CULTURAL ROOTS AND MODERN FLAIR
Eunice’s multicultural upbringing in Canada/US and Taiwan plays a significant role in shaping her dolls. Infusing Eastern and Western influences, she creates designs that celebrate Asian heritage while offering a modern and fresh perspective.
In Taiwan, Eunice had a lot of Asian role models to look up to and instill within her a lot of pride in her identity. It showed her more diversity in the types of careers and interests an Asian person could pursue.
In the US/Canada, Eunice experienced what a lot of Asian Americans go through, how they always feel like an outsider and constantly having to be perfect or prove themselves. But she also witnessed the grit behind every immigrant and stories of their families.
However, in both places, she hadn’t seen Asian dolls that truly represented the richness and diversity of Asian Culture. And in some way, her creation is something that she wished she had when she was a girl.
WORKING ON A DISNEY TV SHOW
“I knew I had limited time and a lot of catching up to do, and since I was starting from the very bottom, I had no ego (or no shame). So I just kept putting myself out there and tried to learn from everyone and everything. I also developed thick skin and learned to take rejection lightly. Eventually, after countless applications, I got an art test for Pupstruction to design a bus for the show. They liked my design and hired me!” Eunice shared.
Eunice uses the same lessons she learned from landing her Disney job now with Stay Curious Toys: “keep a clear goal, continue to learn, don’t let rejections or setbacks deter you from your goal, and make friends!”
LIFE-ALTERING PERSPECTIVE
A near-death experience shaped Eunice’s outlook on life.
“It made me realize that life was too short to be lived for other people’s approval. And so I started making choices for myself…and through that process, I discovered that when I was making things that I truly enjoyed, it resonated with people and people responded,” she shared.
ADVICE FROM EUNICE
For those who want to pivot their career – “Be clear in what you want–even if you can’t see the final, ultimate goal, you have to know and believe what your next steps are. And in any change, risk is involved, so you have to know when to take that risk/jump. It is also important to filter out the noise/feedback you get from your friends and family–listen to them and then make your own assessment with the information you got from them. Each person and situation is different, so I am only sharing what has worked for me. But ultimately, the most important thing is to make or do what you love, and not what others want you to do.”
For those who want to pursue a career in art – “Make sure you develop a strong set of foundational art skills and learn those from good artists and references. Think about which field in the art industry you’d like to be in and curate your art portfolio to match the type of job you’d like. Stay humble and hungry, and surround yourself with peers and mentors by reaching out to them and asking questions. Keep putting yourself and your art out there, and know that even the best artists experience imposter syndrome.”
CONNECT WITH EUNICE CHEN / STAY CURIOUS TOYS
IG: @eunicesketches / @staycurioustoys
Website: eunicesketches.com / staycurioustoys.com
*Pre-order at staycurioustoys.com, starting February 1, 2024. The first 100 customers will receive an exclusive tote bag designed by Eunice.
- 6 min read
News
Across Asia, a new wave of second- and third-generation business heirs is redirecting family enterprises toward sustainable investments, challenging traditional profit-centric businesses.
Komal Sahu, Chief of Sustainable Finance at AVPN, the largest network of social investors in Asia, notes that younger generations are recognizing their family’s wealth as a catalyst for positive transformation. By integrating environmental, social, and governance factors into their investments, these heirs aim to drive positive change while maintaining financial viability.
Al Jazeera has shared three business heirs across Asia that exemplifies this:
In Malaysia, 27-year-old Abe Lim, an heir to a lubricant and cleaning products business, departed from her father’s profit-focused approach, despite being groomed to take over the company. Instead, she founded Purpose Plastic, successfully transforming discarded plastic into home decor and other products while emphasizing sustainability.
In some cases, the older generation encourages innovative thinking to secure the ongoing success of their businesses. The Lopez family in the Philippines, known for success in telecommunications and energy, divested from coal in 2016 to focus on renewable energy. Marianna Lopez Vargas, partnerships manager at the Oscar M Lopez Center, believes that a complete transition to renewables is achievable with the right incentives.
Singapore-based Fernando Scodro, responsible for his family office’s investment strategy, is educating his family about socially conscious investing, which leads to impactful investments like COGNI, a Brazilian startup focused on energy efficiency.
As these Asian business heirs redefine success, their commitment to sustainable investments signals a profound shift toward a more socially and environmentally conscious business landscape.
Featured Image Sources: Al Jazeera, Esquire PH, X
- 2 min read
News
Meet Jae Byun, a math teacher and basketball coach in Orange County, California, who’s making a six-figure salary doing what he loves.
Originally majoring in business economics at the University of California, Irvine, Jae initially set his sights on a financial industry career. However, after completing internships in that field, he felt a desire for something different.
During his senior year in 2013, he accepted a coaching position at his former high school in Orange County, guided by the stability and income potential his coaches emphasized in the teaching profession.
“It wasn’t going to make me a millionaire, but it was going to allow me to have time and freedom. That really appealed to me,” he said to CNBC.
Born in South Korea, Jae moved to California at a young age and grew up valuing hard work, learning from his truck driver father and spa worker mother. His parents were concerned about him at first and disappointed that he took a career in education, but eventually, they came around with the fact and loved that Jae now lives with them. Jae is paying them $800 for rent and helping with household expenses, even though they told him that he didn’t need to.
It took Jae about six years to reach his current salary of nearly $115,000, including coaching stipends and summer programs. He actively manages his money, saving half of his monthly income and investing in retirement accounts. Even with some unexpected expenses, Jae remains committed to financial stability.
Looking ahead, Jae plans to generate extra income and ensure a comfortable retirement for his parents.
Featured Image Source: CNBC
- 2 min read
Stories
Ever found yourself in a new place, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, looking for friends or a community that shares your interest? Erin Zhao knows that feeling all too well.
With a childhood marked by frequent moves, each relocation brought Erin the recurring challenge of seeking kindred spirits who matched her enthusiasm for outdoor activities like cycling, golfing, and hiking. But here’s the thing: we live in an era where it’s so easy to connect with people virtually, have friends online, and yet feel like something’s missing.
As a person who loves solving puzzles and coming up with creative solutions, Erin founded OutWeGo, a wellness platform headquartered in the Bay Area, designed to combat feelings of loneliness and disconnection by facilitating personalized activities in an exclusive and curated community.
The Challenges of Being a Solo Female Founder and First-Time Entrepreneur
Erin faced distinctive challenges on her path to establishing OutWeGo, specially as a solo female founder and a first-time entrepreneur. One of them was finding the delicate balance between technological innovation and a human-centric vision.
Creating a digital platform that encourages authentic personal connections demands not only technical skills but also a deep understanding of social dynamics and user safety. Erin tackled this challenge by immersing herself in user feedback, embracing iterative design, and ensuring the platform was not only secure but also intuitively designed.
Another challenge that Erin faced was the weight of responsibilities that comes with being a solo founder. Managing everything from product development to marketing, finance, and user experience without the buffer of co-founders meant an increased workload and the necessity for rapid up-skilling in various domains.
Erin met this challenge head-on by embracing continuous learning, taking online courses, and networking with experts to acquire knowledge beyond her initial expertise.
Creating a Solution to the Problem
While doing extensive market research, including interviews with her friends and strangers, Erin found that the struggle of having real, meaningful connections these days is widespread. She discovered that many people, particularly those relocating or seeking companionship for specific activities, faced difficulties in finding suitable partners.
Realizing the commonality of this problem, Erin saw a clear opportunity to leverage technology and create a solution with OutWeGo.
Bridging the Gap with OutWeGo
Erin’s mission with OutWeGo is clear – to facilitate genuine, meaningful connections by bridging the gap between digital interactions and real-world social experiences. The vision is to create an exclusive, curated platform where individuals bond over shared interests, particularly in outdoor and sports activities.
For the Asian community, OutWeGo serves as a powerful tool for empowerment. The platform fosters inclusivity, providing a space where Asians in the diaspora can connect with peers who share similar backgrounds, values, and passions. OutWeGo nurtures a sense of belonging and solidarity, reinforcing cultural connections and supportive networks among Asians living abroad.
Erin’s role in advancing overall wellness and social cohesion aligns with the principles of diversity, inclusivity, and mutual respect, making a tangible difference in the lives of the Asian community.
Connect with OutWeGo
Website: outwegosocial.com
Instagram: @outwegosocial
Linkedin: OutWeGo
- 3 min read