Starting a Small Business: Trick or Treat?

Happy Halloween! As we approach the end of our first year in business, we decided to sit down and reflect on all the tricks and treats we have experienced thus far. We are still a young company with plenty of room to grow, but here is what we have learned, both the bad (tricks) and the good (treats).

Q: What is one thing you have learned by starting a small business?

Ken: The success of a small business depends on not just the idea but also the community. You can have a great idea for your business, but without the support of your community, it can be much more difficult to achieve the success you’re looking for, especially at the beginning.

Chantelle: I think I have learned to embrace the uncertainty. We don’t know what tomorrow will look like, but I have learned to instead think of it as exciting and positive, instead of being afraid of the possibilities.

Q: How do you deal with fear and doubt?

Ken: I try to deal with fear and doubt by taking things one step at a time and gaining a strong footing with each step. Also, by looking back and seeing all that we’ve already accomplished. This helps to comfort me because these used to be things that I/we had doubts about, yet we have been able to deal with and move past those challenges.

Chantelle: Just do it scared. Fear and doubt will always be there, but you have to push through it and do it anyway.

Q: What has been the most fun part of owning a small business?

Ken: The most fun part of owning a small business is trying new strategies and seeing success with which ones work and which do not.

Chantelle: Being able to choose where we go and how much time and energy we put into the business has been really amazing. I find the idea that it’s all up to us to be exciting and motivating.

Q: What motivates you to keep going?

Ken: Seeing the results of our efforts motivates me. They have exceeded all my initial expectations. This helps us to continue pushing our business forward.

Chantelle: We have a very personal mission— we want to see change and an end to discrimination of AAPI people, and any small part we can play in that is worth it. Even if the business struggles, I think the passion for our cause will keep us moving forward.

Q: What past experiences have helped you the most in owning a business?

Ken: My undergrad degree in business has had the biggest impact. Being able to apply concepts that I’ve learned and see how they work out in a real-life scenario is not only rewarding but also reaffirming.

Chantelle: Professionally, we both come from a military background, so we have a strong sense of discipline. I am also a graphic designer, which has helped us with our branding, as well as provided a self-starter attitude and motivation.

We have the unique experience of being both a multi-racial couple and business partners. I have the privilege of learning about Chinese culture through Ken’s experiences, and with that knowledge, we can use our business to show others that they can learn from other cultures, too.