From a Vision to a Brand: 4 Asian-American Founders Share Their Journeys
In celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we recently collaborated with Asian American female founders. We had the opportunity to ask the creators of Covry Eyewear, Qi Alchemy, & ILHA Candles how they started their brands, what the early days were like, and the valuable lessons each have learned through the process. Check out this special founder feature below!
Florence Shin and Athina Wang, Co-Founders of Covry Eyewear
Q: Can you share with us how you two first started Covry Eyewear? What was it like during the early days?
Both: “We started Covry in 2015 out of a need for more inclusive eyewear that better fit our diverse face shapes. Before we launched, we were still working full time in the fashion industry and would meet up after work to brainstorm ideas together. It was the first time either of us were starting a business, so there was a lot of researching, late nights and excitement!”
Q: What have been the most valuable lessons you both have learned from running your own brand?
Both: “Embrace failure and keep moving forward. Through trial and error, we were able to shape and grow the company to what it is today. The world is constantly changing so it's important to evolve and embrace new challenges.”
Q: Do you have a favorite product from your collection?
Athina: “My current favorite is Merak S Olive. The angular shape gives an edgy feel to the frame, and I love the dark green color. It really goes with everything!”
Florence: “Most of my work day is spent in front of a computer so blue light blocking glasses are a must. I'm currently loving the Hamal - they're so light and look cute for video calls!”
Q: What do you root your identity in?
Both: “As Asian Americans, we've struggled to find a balance between the two cultures growing up. Today, our Chinese, Korean and American cultures are something we value and are incredibly proud of.”
Grace Yoon, Founder of Qi Alchemy
Q: Can you share with us how you first started Qi Alchemy? What was it like during the early days?
Grace: “I started Qi Alchemy, because I wanted to share Korean herbs that I took growing up but I wasn't sure how to start a business. I literally googled "how to start a business" and reached out to successful entrepreneurs that I knew in my community and sought advice from them. Everyone's success story was different, but the common denominator was that they had a vision. Their conviction and persistence led them to continue building their business. During my early days, I did everything from incorporating my business, filing my own trademark to branding and packaging design. Looking back, I'm not sure how I did it but throughout my path, there have been people who were deeply passionate about Qi Alchemy and helped me along the way.”
Q: What have been the most valuable lessons you have learned from running your own brand?
Grace: “My brand has constantly been evolving but the foundation is the same, changing lives one pearl at a time. People will give you advice but at the end of the day, you have to do things that feel right. Listen to your gut.”
Q: Do you have a favorite product from your collection?
Grace: “It's so hard to choose a favorite product since I currently only have two products and I interchange them based on how my body feels. Both are great anti-inflammatories, but if I need energy and focus, my go-to pearl is the Onyx Ginseng pearl. If I need to relax and aid my digestion, I take the Vegan Full Moon pearls.”
Q: What do you root your identity in?
Grace: “I root my identity in God, my Korean-American heritage, and nature.”
Michelle Hsu, Founder of ILHA Candles
Q: Can you share with us how you first started ILHA Candles? What was it like during the early days?
Michelle: “The idea for ILHA Candles came to me after attending a White Elephant holiday party, where more than a few of my friends had brought candles as gifts. After realizing that the candles were the most popular and swapped item amongst the group, it got me wondering if I could make candles myself, mostly for me to enjoy and burn at home. I bought some supplies to experiment with and after months of testing, ILHA Candles was born. The early days consisted of me melting wax on my kitchen stove, taking poorly staged and badly lit product photos, running the business based on my gut and feeling, and consistently asking my friends and family for their thoughts and feedback (and I still do!).”
Q: What have been the most valuable lessons you have learned from running your own brand?
Michelle: “Running my own brand and business, I’m realizing, is a continuous and never ending journey of learning valuable lessons! In my journey so far, I have found that community has been paramount in my business growth and whatever success I have. Amazing things happen when we lift each other up! I have also found that not giving up is half the battle, at least for me, in building a brand. Mistakes and missteps will inevitably happen, and it might sound so cliche to say, but it’s those mistakes and failures that I’ve learned from and realizing not everything will be perfect. Progress over perfection is a little mantra I need to tell myself often to remind myself to keep going and to not give up.”
Q: Do you have a favorite product from your collection?
Michelle: “White Tea is a personal favorite scent of mine. The light and crisp scent transports me to a state of calm and luxury. I usually have a White Tea reed diffuser in the most highly trafficked areas of my home so I can get a whiff whenever I walk by.”
Thank you so much for speaking with us!
Check out the founders’ websites: shopcovry.com, qialchemy.com, ilhacandles.com
Photography by Covry Eyewear, Qi Alchemy, ILHA Candles.
