We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hae Jean Lee a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Hae Jean with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My work ethic originates from my genetics. As a Korean-American immigrant, my parents and siblings modeled a very strong work ethic for me growing up. My purpose in life was defined very early in my childhood, which inspired my current active lifestyle, consistent daily routines and habits. I hold myself to a very high standard and always compete against myself and not with others. This has allowed me to become a better version of myself than I was yesterday despite any challenges life may have thrown at me. I never grew up with a golden spoon in my life, worked 3 jobs in college at the University of California, Irvine to be responsible for my own education and career growth. I love working hard and earning every accolade I have achieved. The biggest credit I give is to my parents who are the hardest working role models who have always instilled in me the idea that I can accomplish anything I dreamed of if I work hard enough to achieve it.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have been in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, lab and diagnostic space for over 20+ years. My work experience includes working at companies like Pfizer, Thermo-Fisher Scientific, Aetna US Healthcare, LipoScience, Natera and Boston Heart Diagnostics. Currently, I work for a Cancer Biotech start-up company headquartered in the Silicon Valley. I am super passionate about my career, but the experience I am most proud of is my journey around the world as a female solo traveler who has explored more than 100+ countries around the globe. These countries include Antarctica, Kazakhstan, Australia, Indonesia, Kenya, Japan, Ukraine, Russia, Estonia, Patagonia (Chile & Argentina), Peru, Cuba, Morocco, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Belarus, Iceland, every country in Europe and many more. The reason I unconsciously start listing these countries is because I was pursuing a Guinness World Record around the world to be the First Korean-American Woman to Travel to Every Country in the World. As a part-time content creator and travel blogger, I am the Founder and CEO of Jeanie Couture Gowns which is a dress rental company specifically created for content creators in the fashion and travel niches. I have also recently expanded my brand to wedding and bridal. My love for creating and wearing art became a reality when I first started this company. Our mission statement is to make all women feel beautiful despite what color, shape or size they are. I am proud to say that Jeanie Couture Gowns is size inclusive and also donates 20% of it’s proceeds to charities around the world to fund couture fashion to under-served countries like Cuba where textiles and fabrics are extremely expensive and unattainable. Check us out on Instagram, Tik Tok and Facebook @Jeanie_CoutureGowns or @Jeanie_1.
Among the many things that keep me extremely busy, I am most passionate about helping those in need. During my world travels, I recently started “The Gratitude Project.” Our mission statement is to “Spread love everywhere you go; find Gratitude in the little things and your life will be filled with abundance.” I began this journey during my people to people visa exchange in Cuba providing financial aid through everyday necessities to communities in the medical industry and local schools in Havana supplying toiletries, toothbrushes, books, notepads, pens, toys and clothing to women and children of this community. Our next Gratitude Project will be taking place in Nepal, summer 2025. Stay tuned for details as I will be hosting this trip. If you are a content creator who would like to give back to under-served international communities please contact me to participate as a volunteer for this mission trip to Nepal. Join us and become a part of our amazing team as we spread love and service to under-served communities through our Gratitude Project. Change the World one trip at a time, please contact me at @jeanie_1 or jeaniespassport@gmail.com to donate your time or resources to “The Gratitude Project.”
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The 3 most important skills/areas of knowledge that are crucial to succeed are:
1. Invest in a Mentor in your specific niche or area of expertise to learn from and emulate. By doing so, you can avoid making fewer mistakes and get a jump start on learning your craft or business quicker and more efficiently.
2. Create a solid business plan & budget expenditure worksheet.
3. Execute your business plan. Execution is key and most important to your overall success. This is where your work ethic can get you where you want to be.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My husband, Ahmad Cheikho has been my biggest inspiration in my life. He is my rock and strength when I start doubting myself. He is the hardest working, self disciplined, positive role model I have in my life. He has been through some tough times and has grown up with nothing. Despite all the hardships and curve balls life has thrown at him, he always remains so positive and grateful for all the little things in life which has brought him an abundance of blessings. He is now a 5x World Champion Kickboxer and Professional Boxer. His life is an example of overcoming life’s most difficult challenges. He has proven that staying focused, executing a plan and having a strong work ethic with a consistent routine will turn your passion into success. Our mission statement in life as a husband and wife team is to “Work Hard, Dream Big, Surround Yourself with Good People and Give Back to Community.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/jeanie_couturegowns/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanie_1/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088351946916
- Linkedin: Hae Jean Lee
- Twitter: https://x.com/jeanie_lee1
Image Credits
Project Gratitude Photos: @Jeanie_1
Photo Credit: @_ParisPics_ / @SonnyBuiPhotography / @JasminVanTPhotography / @Memories.of.Florence
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
