We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Chang recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Michelle, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
Throughout my upbringing, I naturally embraced a fearless attitude towards exploring new interests. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to engage in a variety of extracurricular activities ranging from art classes, ballet, piano, gu zheng (Chinese table harp), Chinese language studies, and even basketball. These opportunities allowed me to discover a wide range of passions – something that I am grateful for every day. In my journey, I’ve experienced moments of success and others where I simply managed to just get by. But through these experiences, I’ve come to deeply understand something: It’s okay not to excel in every pursuit, but what truly matters is having the courage to explore uncharted territories and discover where I truly belong.
This mentality of adventurous exploration extends to my approach to risk-taking. I firmly advocate for the principle of “higher risks, higher rewards.” Fueled by ambition, I eagerly embrace challenges, recognizing them as gateways to realizing my aspirations. I believe that progress is linked to one’s willingness to take calculated risks and pursue new avenues. Granted, there’s always the possibility of failure, but within that uncertainty lies the potential for extraordinary success. Should setbacks arise, I see them not as defeats, but as invaluable lessons. Each misstep serves as a guide for refinement, leading me towards a more informed and resilient path forward.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
In August 2022, I made the decision to resign from my position as a Project Coordinator at a high end interior design and home staging firm, despite my proficiency in the role. While I found satisfaction in the diverse array of projects and the opportunity to explore luxury homes, the inherent discontentment and limited prospects for advancement compelled me to pursue a new direction. As a result, I shifted my focus towards nurturing my long-standing passion for entrepreneurship, particularly in the realm of my online card business, Choodaloo.
Choodaloo started its journey in June 2012, initially as a hobby of mine. The inspiration behind the name of “Choodaloo” emanated from a whimsical encounter with my father, who inadvertently coined the term during a casual dining experience. As we were leaving the restaurant, my father said to the waitress, “Choodaloo!” I was a bit confused, so I asked him what he meant, then as he was explaining, I realized he meant to say “Toodaloo!” Symbolizing more than mere farewell, “Choodaloo” encapsulates a sentiment of warmth, versatility, and enduring connection—an ethos that resonates deeply within the fabric of my entrepreneurial pursuits.
Since its inception, Choodaloo has undergone a transformative trajectory, transitioning from handcrafted novelties to the specialty of intricately designed pop-up cards, a craft I honed with passion and refinement. As a small business owner, I have spanned the realms of e-commerce, artisanal showcases, and craft exhibitions, assimilating invaluable insights into product presentation, marketing strategies, and customer engagement.
In tandem with my entrepreneurial endeavors, I concurrently oversee a short-term rental venture and occasionally lend my expertise to staging projects as a staging designer. While these diversifications bring out my multifaceted skill set, my unwavering aspiration remains the full-time operation of Choodaloo.
I’m proud of myself for coming so far, and I love being able to share my crafts with other people. There is a sense of validation when customers offer me their positive feedback and tell me how much they or their friends love my product. It is the experiences I have so far, and the experiences yet to come, that make me confident I will achieve my goals.
Looking ahead, my vision for Choodaloo extends beyond the confines of pop-up card designs, envisioning a return to the realm of party favor decor—an expansion that promises to further enrich the brand’s offerings.
In essence, it is the combination of past endeavors and the promise of future aspirations that inspires me with unwavering confidence in the realization of my entrepreneurial goals. As I navigate the dynamic contours of the business landscape, I remain dedicated to my commitment to innovation, excellence, and the enduring pursuit of creative fulfillment.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My meticulous attention to detail coupled with a strong managerial sense has been integral to my success trajectory. This attention to detail has been pivotal in refining my expertise, allowing me to continuously enhance the quality of my work. Over the years, I have honed efficient methodologies through dedicated practice, enabling me to approach tasks with heightened scrutiny, thus minimizing margins for error.
My experience in overseeing multiple ventures has underscored the importance of adaptability in navigating unforeseen challenges. I have cultivated the ability to swiftly pivot strategies and make careful decisions in response to dynamic business environments. This adaptability is crucial for sustaining operational continuity and fostering resilience in the face of adversity.
Furthermore, I recognize the significance of cultivating community relationships in bolstering business growth. Through my time in various enterprises, I have forged invaluable connections with diverse stakeholders, including vendors and community members. The cultivation of such relationships not only nurtures a reliable network of contacts but also creates mutual support within the interconnected business community. I firmly believe that the collaborative relations derived from these relationships are fundamental to long-term success in any entrepreneurial endeavor.
For anyone setting out on their own path, my advice is simple: Never hold back your potential. Embrace your dreams with unwavering determination. Don’t let boundaries cloud the endless opportunities waiting for you. Embrace the twists and turns ahead, because that’s where you’ll uncover your deepest passions and the road to true fulfillment. Always remember, when you chase your dreams, there’s no limit to what lies beyond the horizon.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
In my professional philosophy, I advocate for an approach that emphasizes continual growth and development across all areas, rather than singularly focusing on strengths. This idea is rooted in the belief that a willingness to invest effort in areas of improvement signifies a commitment to personal advancement and lifelong learning. Diversifying skill sets not only broadens one’s capabilities but also fosters adaptability and versatility, essential qualities in today’s dynamic business landscape.
Often likened to a ‘Jack of All Trades,’ I leverage my diverse skill set to forge connections across various industries and domains. This breadth of expertise affords me a robust network of contacts and facilitates the identification of new opportunities through diverse perspectives and insights.
For instance, in my short-term rental business, I actively sought guidance from peers and engaged in hands-on learning experiences to refine my customer service skills and cultivate relationships with vendors and service providers. During low seasons, I pivot to supplementary endeavors such as home staging design, a field I find both fulfilling and complementary to my skill set in home design.
Furthermore, my entrepreneurial pursuits extend to my passion project, Choodaloo, a venture dedicated to crafting anime-inspired pop-up cards. While maintaining a niche market presence, I remain committed to exploring avenues for scalability and continuous improvement.
In essence, I embrace a multifaceted approach to life and work, driven by an insatiable curiosity and a desire for personal and professional growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: Choodaloo.etsy.com
- Instagram: @Choodaloo
