Its time to talk Icons... upcoming Icons that continue to create a new world and a new generation of acceptance within the Asian Community!
Empowering the Asian Community
Introducing all of my readers to the best and most inspiring artists and business owners involving; music development, jewelry artistry, fashion industry evolutionaries, food industry stories and SO much more that support or are a part of the Asian Community.
DEAN
Beyond Music: An Interview with
Dean
Endlessly scrolling for music, although sometimes fun, can be disheartening. You know those moments where you just cant seem to find that new song or artist that really speaks to you? Well, I found one and his name is Dean.
Growing up in the Philippines, Deans life was more than just musically rooted. It was as if music immersed itself into Deans destiny in more ways than just being an active music listener. "My mom played a big role in introducing K-pop into my life growing up, since she worked in South Korea for a bit" says Dean. Although Dean was exposed to the life of a hard working K-Pop trainee, the spark of that lifestyle soon faded and a new life approached Dean, eventually causing him to move to the US during his middle school years. "After I moved to America, I kind of stopped dealing with music... It took until seventh grade before I started to admire the poetic piece of my music curriculum in school" states Dean. It was at this point that Dean started to recognize his admiration to the craft of writing poetry however this passion stayed private, and behind the scenes, day by day, Dean continued to create poetic writings. Following Deans middle school years he attended Kinder HSPVA (aka the same high school Beyonce went to), and goes on with our interview stating, "I eventually got into Kinder HSPVA and continued to major in musical theater and once I was surrounded by more musical people, that's when I really started to make my own songs." Through his love for writing poetry, Dean initiated his lyrical writing journey which was eventually noticed by a collective of underground artists. This was the beginning of a specific friendship that led to opportunity for Dean, not only revealing his lyric writing ability, but also his vocal capability. At this time, Dean was introduced to a music producer named Jisung. "It ended up that Jisung and I spoke the same language and I ended up being on his EP." As Dean and I continued to discuss the process of creating music, Dean mentions the importance of authenticity, as it is something he strongly considers. "What is the over all message that you want your listeners to receive when they listen to your music?" I ask. "I want people feel as though they have that ability to express themselves because they do...and understand that just because life is hard at the moment, doesn't mean its bad to sit in that feeling. Its okay to feel the way you feel. We are human and we are going to feel things we dont necessarily want to feel in the moment. Not feeling okay, is okay."
After talking to Dean during the interview I took away a lot about him. Dean wasn't just the regular run of the mill artist. He has no intention on running the world with his music or becoming the next music sensation. Dean is fine with being the artist he is and it was such a refreshing feeling to know that Dean creates his music not for fame, but for pure bliss in enjoying his own creation.
If youre interested in Dean and what his music has to offer, make sure to stream his music on Spotify! Click the link to stream here:
Check Dean out on Spotify now!
Kelly Zhou
A Resilient Visionary: How an Inspiring Businesswoman Sets the Standard for Excellence
Beginning life within the wonderful village of Fujian, a spirit full of optimism and diligence thrived.... Kelly Zhou. She grew beside her greatest inspiration, her grandmother, nurturing her dreams that were soon to become reality.
In the heart of a vibrant community, Kelly stands as a beacon of inspiration through her business, Yaaas Tea, which gracefully bridges the world of entrepreneurship with the nurturing spirit of mentorship. Her establishment is not merely a tea shop but a sanctuary where young women are encouraged to step into their own power and cultivate their business acumen. Kelly’s vision extends beyond the immediate; she aims to foster personal growth and ignite a passionate drive in the younger generation, inspiring them to work diligently and pursue their dreams. The warmth of tea, an age-old tradition that transcends cultural boundaries, plays a pivotal role in her mission. It is through this cherished beverage that Kelly has united people from diverse backgrounds, weaving shared experiences that include her own family and friends. This sense of unity is not only a testament to the social power of tea but also reflects Kelly’s commitment to creating a supportive environment where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. By nurturing her team and providing them with opportunities for growth, Kelly exemplifies the virtues of hard work and dedication. Her approach is a gentle reminder that success is best achieved not in isolation, but through a collective effort that strengthens the fabric of the community. With every cup of tea and every act of encouragement, Kelly fosters a profound connection among people, demonstrating that true leadership is marked by a willingness to uplift others. Her business is a living testament to the power of community, the joy of cultural exchange, and the transformative impact of supporting one another’s aspirations.
After meeting Kelly in person, her energy itself lead me to believe that my dream was worth something more than I thought it could ever be. She had not only welcomed me kindly into her boba tea location, she instilled hope into my mind and spirit by taking a moment to personally sit with me and discuss my aspirations within my business. It is because of Kelly, that I was brave enough to commit to the dream of creating this website, interviewing others about their own stories, and having the bravery to write my own articles and blogs such as the ones you see before you.
If you are interested in visiting any of Kellys YAAAS Tea Locations, I have listed the addressees below so you can check them out for yourself! Make sure to bring friends and family along with you so you can share the magical aura of boba with them too!
Boba, tea and coffee lovers UNITE! Enjoy!
220 Merrick Rd, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
427 Old Country Rd, Westbury, NY 11590 (COMING SOON!)
62 Middle Neck Rd, Great Neck, NY 11021
27111 Union Tpke, Queens, NY 11040
334 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset, NY 11791
38 S Ocean Ave, Patchogue, NY 11772
694 Motor Pkwy, Hauppauge, NY 11788
2188 Nesconset Hwy, Stony Brook, NY 11790
347 New York Ave, Huntington, NY 11743
Click the YAAAS Tea Button to visit the Website!
Ting Luo
A Teashops Journey Across The Globe: Exclusive Interview with Ting Luo
Growing up in Chengdu China, Tings father always brought her out to gatherings and ordered her a gaiwan of Jasmine Tea. "Jasmine tea really brings fond memories of my childhood" Ting states. It was these fond memories of tea that Ting carried along throughout her life, that would spring the opening of The Green Tea House in 2004 located in Chengdu China. Eventually, The Green Teahouse would immerse itself in the western world by opening its first location in Blue Back Square of West Hartford, Connecticut in 2009, then changing its location to the one we have today, located at the West Farms Mall, New Britain CT.
Ting shares her experience of when she first opened The Green Teahouse in America on her Tiktok:
"When I just opened the teahouse, I wanted to share everything about the way Chinese people drink tea to my American friends and customers. In China people drink tea with a small tiny fine China teapot. They use that to make loose-leaf teas. They use a small tiny tea cup to sip the tea. However, American people like to make tea with a big giant teapot and drink tea with a big tea mug. Compare the two tea pots. The Chinese tea pot looks like a toy and I had a lot of this type of inventories in the beginning and they were not selling well. This type of teapot is very common in China for people to drink high quality loose leaf tea on a daily basis. I tried so hard to tell people how to make tea using these small teapots."
Without losing the authenticity and quality of her products and business, Ting learned to mix her culture and the culture of the American people, in turn gaining success at The Green Teahouse. She added sweetener and honey to her tea samples, and sold big tea pots and big tea mugs, which gained popularity amongst her customers, however the quality of the loose leaf tea never changed.
Ting stands by her quality of loose leaf tea, and quality of her service stating, "As a small business owner, our reputation is the best and cheapest advertisement. The book of Proverb 22:1 says, "Choose a good reputation over great reaches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold."
As I spoke to Ting, we dove deeper into the origins of The Green Teahouse. "On The Green Teahouse website, it says, two brothers and a sister inspired the Green Teahouse. Who are the two brothers and sister mentioned and how did they inspire The Green Teahouses life?"
Ting chuckled, "That's a great question! I have a younger brother who I am very close with. The two of us would always stay together when mom and dad were not home. I was always trying to take care of my little brother and would sometimes go to pick him up from his kindergarten school." Ting continues to smile, "My brother and I grew close and he started the Teahouse first, while I was studying in the United States. He started his teahouse with another gentleman which we call our older brother. That's why the story starts with three of us."
Every business owner carries inspiration and motivation within them. As a journalist, I believe that asking the following question is crucial as it helps to understand the deeper side of the individual. "Is there someone during your journey in your life that has inspired you to be the person you are today?", I asked.
"Yes definitely." Ting responds. "I don't know if this will make anyone uncomfortable but, I trust God. When I was working on my own, with my own meaning and my own standard, there were other things I did that I thought were right. My mom and dad had standards like; Don't go outside too late. Be a good girl. Those are basic standards to have. I believe it is important to have a higher moral as a human being, to have concern for others well being, and to love others. I really think that this is the being that influenced me and I will forever look up to those standards."
Upon concluding my conversation with Ting, I was left feeling uplifted. As a journalist, it is imperative to cultivate an understanding and appreciation for diverse belief systems. Through the practice of journalism, individuals are afforded a safe space to share their beliefs and connect with others. I was particularly struck by Ting's evident passion and dedication to her business, which was nothing short of extraordinary. Our conversation was marked by a shared vulnerability, as we discussed my personal struggles and my relationship with God. Despite this, I remained focused on my journalistic responsibilities and concluded our exchange with two final questions.
"Ting, five years from now, where do you see The Green Teahouse and where do you see yourself?"
Ting hesitated for a moment. "That's very challenging question. Many years ago I would always say, "I want to do this. I want to do that. I want to open the teahouse in every state in America." I had such ambition, however, from reading the Bible... we can plan everything our way but God directs us. I don't really have a five year plan. I just want to live every day according to His plan (for myself and for the teahouse). With this mind set, it is a huge release of stress for me. Believing this, I feel releases my stresses of having to reach a certain goal or working tirelessly under pressure. I want to be joyful and enjoy the plan God created for me and at the same time, trying my best to do what I am supposed to do."
"My final question is: What is the message you have for those coming into The Green Teahouse?" I asked.
I know lots of people who have come into The Green Teahouse and in my past experience, a lot of them seem stressed out. A lot of people have said they are exhausted and anxious, asking what teas can relax them or help cure an illness. As human beings, we have many sources of stress. Every single person is facing so many different stress triggers, because life is not easy for anyone, no matter what job you may hold. I want people to come to the teahouse, to feel the calmness of this environment, enjoying the products and services we provide. A joyful heart, is the best medicine. We could have the best products, collagen, Botox, every nutrition we can take but if our heart is bitter with no joy, we will make ourselves sick. I want customers to know, that with a happy and blissful heart, you can live a good life. "
Thank you to Ms. Ting Luo who shared her stories and wisdom to me. I am beyond grateful to have met her and will continue to support her beautiful Teahouse, always remembering to live life with a heart of kindness and love. Make sure to stop by The Green Teahouse to taste the best and finest loose leaf tea the world has to offer!