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November 11, 2022

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Shadiah Sigala co-founded HoneyBook, a $2 billion financial management software platform for small businesses, motivated by her ability to negotiate uncertainty while gathering information and making decisions.

When Shadiah was a child, her Mexican mother together with her two siblings moved to southern California. Despite most of her family members being unable to attend college, she was an honor student whose lifelong ambition was to acquire the greatest degree of education.

Shadia attended Pomona College for Latin American Studies and Harvard Kennedy School for public policy. As a result, she established a strategy for reaching goals she wasn’t sure about.

Before becoming an accomplished millennial, she finished her master’s degree and became the highest-earning member of their family as a project manager at Aetna, a health insurance company, where she learned about entrepreneurship, realized she is a “builder,” and thought starting her own company was the best option.

However, Shadia realized that she wouldn’t be happy there since she wouldn’t be valued. Shadia ultimately started a personal chef business in 2010, using her Pomona College alumni network to find well-off grads who wanted someone to cook for them.

In 2012, another realization occurred to her that cooking wasn’t for her. Shadiah then decided to move with her then-husband to San Francisco and found tech. She arranged informative interviews with everyone in the sector and learned that the problem she wanted to tackle was one she’d experienced as a business owner: no effective method to handle backend logistics like emails, payments, and bills.

With the three Israeli business people who have a similar concern as hers, they decided to digitize all these tedious procedures that micro small firms must complete to free them up to genuinely focus on doing what they love.

Using that concept, Shadia established HoneyBook in 2013 and worked there for five years according to CNBC.

As her most recent business, Shadia co-founded Kinside in 2018, a child-care marketplace that is available to employees that offers new parents a centralized location to look for daycare in their neighborhood, which has reached over $16 million, according to Crunchbase. 

Letting fear and excitement be one’s guide and being open-minded is what Shadia advises to other aspirants. According to her, opportunities that “feel like they are beyond your pay grade” are exactly how stellar is made.

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Tina Tang’s Inspiring Journey From Corporate Worker to Startup Founder

Tina Tang’s path to entrepreneurship is a captivating story of self-discovery and determination. Initially climbing the corporate ladder in IT Consulting, she soon realized that her true calling lay in the world of startups.

The turning point came when she embarked on her graduate school journey, where she felt the world open up before her, setting the stage for her entrepreneurial adventure. This pivotal moment led to the birth of Bristles, an innovative startup that has introduced a mobile app for DIY home projects.

Growing up, Tina found solace in expressing herself through art. Her parents spoke Cantonese at home, and when she started school, she didn’t know much English. Drawing helped her to express herself because it was easier for her than speaking.

Tina ended up with a career in engineering because she was good at math, but her creative side didn’t go away. Later on, when she worked with machine learning and computer vision, her artistic side came back.

Her background in IT Consulting equipped her with invaluable skills for her entrepreneurial journey. Tina’s proficiency in technical problem-solving was complemented by her newfound ability to understand clients’ pain points and devise tech-based solutions.

According to WRAL TechWire, Bristles came from Tina’s desire to bridge the gap between technology and creativity. She saw how AI could make art better, so she used machine learning and computer vision to help people express their creativity in home design.

Tina Tang’s journey from office worker to startup founder is an inspiring story about following your passions and trying something new. Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs or anyone interested in the stories behind successful businesses.

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Baemin Introduces Skincare and Makeup Brand Lazy Bee in Vietnam

South Korean delivery giant, Baemin, has expanded its business horizons by venturing into the world of beauty in Vietnam. The company recently unveiled its very own beauty brand, Lazy Bee, offering a range of skincare and makeup products. This strategic move helps Baemin in diversifying its services beyond food delivery while capitalizing on the growing popularity of K-beauty trends in Vietnam.

Lazy Bee’s product lineup consists of 11 items, including facial masks, lipsticks, and toner pads. The brand’s core mission is to provide accessible and effective beauty solutions tailored to the specific needs of Vietnamese consumers. With Vietnam’s humid climate and environmental factors affecting skin, Lazy Bee focuses on creating products that address these challenges. The brand’s formulations are enriched with natural ingredients, such as calendula and red ginseng, sourced from Korea to cater to the local climate and skin types.

In its current phase, Lazy Bee products are exclusively available through the Baemin app, catering primarily to customers in Ho Chi Minh City. Baemin is actively working to enhance the user experience within the app. Additionally, the brand is organizing on-ground events in Ho Chi Minh City, offering customers the opportunity to personally experience their beauty products.

Looking ahead, Lazy Bee has ambitious plans for expansion. The brand aims to extend its reach through online sales platforms like Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop in the coming months. Furthermore, Lazy Bee intends to establish a physical presence by collaborating with beauty retail chains and convenience stores. The brand is set to broaden its footprint by entering the Hanoi market and offering nationwide shipping, firmly positioning itself as a contender in Vietnam’s dynamic beauty industry.

Featured Image Source: Tin Tuc

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Naomi Osaka Breaks Her Silence About Mental Health Struggles in Sports

In a candid discussion on mental health in sports at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the four-time Grand Slam singles champion Naomi Osaka shared her personal battle with depression and how it made her “very scared of social media.” She has been an outspoken advocate for mental health in sports, and her revelations shed light on the challenges athletes face both on and off the court.

Osaka’s journey to becoming a vocal advocate began with her withdrawal from the 2021 French Open due to depression and anxiety. This incident had a significant impact on the discourse surrounding mental health in sports, prompting a much-needed conversation. During the panel discussion, which included luminaries like Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, and Dr. Brian Hainline, Osaka discussed various aspects of mental health, including the role of social media.

Osaka admitted that somewhere along the line, she got very scared of social media. This fear highlights the immense pressure athletes face in the digital age, where the relentless scrutiny of their personal lives can exacerbate mental health struggles.

During her hiatus from tennis, taken for her mental well-being and the birth of her daughter, Shai, Osaka gained a new perspective on her career. She emphasized the need to cherish every moment in the sport she loves and encouraged others to reach out for support when facing mental health challenges. She revealed to ESPN that she has plans to play again at the Australian Open next year in January.

As Osaka continues to use her platform to promote change, the sports world is gradually recognizing the significance of prioritizing mental health alongside physical performance.

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Expanding the Legacy of a Family-Owned Chinese Restaurant Chain

In the heart of Los Angeles is a vibrant embodiment of the American dream—a dream realized through the culinary journey of a family-owned Chinese restaurant chain.

In the early 1960s, Kai Tai Chang and his wife, May, left Hong Kong for Los Angeles, seeking a better future. Kai Tai, driven by his unwavering work ethic, found opportunities in Chinatown’s food industry. He worked tirelessly, holding multiple jobs to support his family.

Kai Tai’s dedication led him to become a chef at the Phoenix Inn, a restaurant at Ord and New High streets. Over time, a strong friendship with the retiring owner paved the way for him to purchase the restaurant.

May Chang played a pivotal role as the welcoming face of the Phoenix Inn, forging personal connections with customers. For two decades, the Chang family thrived by prioritizing personalized service, valuing their staff, and offering delicious cuisine.

In 1997, the family expanded to Alhambra, introducing a unique addition to their menu—desserts, including classic Asian treats and fresh fruit options. Their commitment to culinary excellence, even sending Elaina to Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena to hone her pastry skills, was rewarded with success.

Image Source: KTLA

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Phoenix persevered with take-out and delivery services, expanding to its 13th location in San Diego in 2023. Nick Chang, the next generation, took the reins as president in 2021, committed to maintaining their high standards of quality and exceptional customer service as they continue to grow.

The Chang family takes pride in their legacy, built on a foundation of culinary excellence and heartfelt service, reflected in the glowing Phoenix signs that now shine beyond the Southland.

Featured Image Source: KTLA