Today we’d like to introduce you to Yi Chuan (Julie) Kao
Hi Julie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a new immigrant from Taiwan, many of my friends question me, why I would put most of my retirement savings in running an Asian-style bakery when my husband who is a doctor can provide me with an abundant life. My major back in college was music, and I have great passion on playing piano. I was a full time piano teacher in Taiwan during my younger age.
In Year 2019, my father passed away due to his illness, so I flew back to Taiwan to attend his funeral. After returning to the United States, I couldn’t go to bed for more than a month, and I often found myself sitting on the couch sadly and crying. With the mercy of the Lord, one day I suddenly felt that I should be tough and get stronger, because if I don’t walk out of my house and join the crowd, I would die from the sadness of the bereavement of my father.
One day on my routine call to my mother in Taiwan, I told her that my daughter who has a master’s degree in bioengineering was willing to accompany me to work in a sandpaper factory. Then my mother angrily told me that I should continue teaching students to play piano, and don’t drag my daughter into my own sadness, but put myself together!
In Year 2010, I switched my career from piano, to business. I always have a passion for baking, and I finally had the chance to fulfill my dream and opened a nougat factory in Taiwan. My business was very successful, in only one year, I surpassed many long-established and large-scale food manufacturing companies; and my company won the “The Best Souvenir of Taiwan ” award from the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan with “The highest honor.”
After all, owning a bakery is physically and mentally demanding. Although I had experience running a business, but running a bakery in the United States was a completely different challenge. Starting from the design of a bakery shop, the selection of remodeling company, the selection of ingredients and packaging materials, to recruiting employees and greeting customers. All these are big challenges for me with limited English skill.
I have been trying to overcome these obstacles for the past two and a half years. I often remind myself that since I chose to immigrate to the United States, I must integrate into this country and understand its culture. I also want to share with everyone here to the food I love and have been exposed to since childhood.
We take customers’ suggestions with open minds. Sharing the taste of Taiwan with customers through my bakery, I am really thankful to have their positive comments and praise for my efforts. I know that I must keep the best quality that my bakery has, because that’s the only way I know how to show my appreciation to my customers.
Also, I feel thankful for all my family’s support, and I remembered my husband who supports me the most to achieve my dream once told me, “I work hard to save people’s life every day, and you must keep a good quality of your food. Can’t endanger other people’s health!”
Last, thank you and let me praise the Lord! All the difficulties I encountered along the way were perfectly resolved!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
God bless ! But for the working time from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. I am exhausted! And some stuff we have to import from Asian. It’s a problem.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
1. **”Maintain the quality of your product and do not prioritize profit over quality. Only with exceptional quality can you build a strong reputation and attract a broad customer base.”**
2. **”Due to language barriers, I encountered challenges when signing contracts during the early stages of my business. I wish I had sought legal advice at the time to ensure the contracts were well-drafted and comprehensive.”**
Contact Info:
