We were lucky to catch up with Edie Yang recently and have shared our conversation below.
Edie, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I believe confidence and self-esteem are built through positive feedback, and the best way to receive positive feedback is by doing things you’re good at. That’s why self-awareness is so important—it’s about understanding your strengths and embracing them. For me, the journey to confidence started with getting to know myself better. When I was in school, I wasn’t one of those top students who excelled effortlessly in academics. I worked really hard just to get average grades, and for a while, I doubted myself. I wondered if I wasn’t smart enough or if success was out of reach for me. But then I started to realize something—I was good at things outside of traditional academics. I discovered a knack for marketing and designing, even though those weren’t subjects taught in school. That realization was life-changing for me. It taught me that just because my talents didn’t fit into a standard mold didn’t mean I didn’t have value.
My advice is this: the world is vast and full of opportunities. If you don’t feel confident in your current environment, try changing it until you find a space where you can truly thrive. And most importantly, don’t let anyone else define your worth. Confidence comes from knowing who you are and embracing that wholeheartedly.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My journey started with a personal passion—interior design. I’ve always been drawn to creating beautiful spaces, but one thing that kept standing out was how many young professionals, like myself, struggled to find furniture that was both stylish and budget-friendly—especially when it came to rugs. Rugs, I noticed, were either too expensive or lacked the design appeal that people wanted. That’s when I reached out to my best friend Vanessa. She had her own unique perspective—she had moved five times in three years and constantly ran into the same problem: rugs that were too bulky, didn’t fit her new space, or simply weren’t practical to bring along. Together, we realized there was an incredible opportunity to fill this gap in the market by creating a brand that provided rugs that were not only stylish and affordable but also designed with modern lifestyles in mind.
We start our brand Lany Space built around the idea of combining functionality with aesthetic appeal. We design rugs that are washable, and pet-friendly—perfect for people who move often, live in smaller spaces, or just want something that fits seamlessly into their busy lives. What’s exciting is how our designs really resonate with young professionals in urban settings who want both beauty and practicality in their homes.
Over the last two years, we’ve worked so hard to grow this brand, and it’s been an incredible journey. We’re not just proud of how far our business has come, but also of how much we’ve grown as entrepreneurs. We’ve also got some exciting plans on the horizon, from expanding our product line to new collaborations, so stay tuned!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
If I had to name three skills that have really shaped my journey, I’d say the ability to multitask, being action-oriented, and having a strong sense of aesthetics. 1. Ability to Multitask
When you’re starting a business, especially as a small business founder, you’re essentially wearing every hat—HR, marketer, designer, salesperson, you name it. It’s a constant balancing act, and time always seems to be running out. Early on, I realized that the ability to multitask was key to keeping things moving and ensuring progress.
For me, prioritizing tasks was a game-changer. I started by listing tasks by importance and urgency and practicing smart time management. Another thing I learned was to let go of perfectionism. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect—getting it done is what matters most. If you can maintain a stable mindset and focus on finishing things, you’re already ahead.
2. Being action-oriented
Over the years, I’ve heard so many incredible ideas, but honestly, not many people take that first step. My advice? Be a doer, not just a talker. I truly believe that just starting something means you’re already 50% of the way to success.
It’s easy to get caught up in excuses—fear of risk, uncertainty about outcomes, or even worrying about what others might say. But here’s the truth: you won’t know until you try. Personally, I’ve found that the best way to manage anxiety is to face it head-on. If something makes me anxious, I take it as a signal that I need to start working on it. I may not have all the answers at the beginning, but once I start, I figure things out along the way.
3. The sense of Aesthetics
I think a lot of people underestimate the importance of aesthetics. It’s not just about luxury or making things look good—it’s about how your work resonates with people. A strong sense of aesthetics makes a big difference, whether it’s in product design, branding, or customer experience.
In today’s world, aesthetic is more relevant than ever. AI can replicate many tasks, but creativity and a sense of design are still uniquely human. What I’ve realized is that people now expect higher standards from products—not just in terms of functionality, but also in how they look and feel. For founders, this skill is essential because it directly influences how people perceive and connect with your product. It’s not just about solving a problem but also about delivering an experience.
In all, start small, prioritize progress over perfection, and take action even if it feels uncomfortable. And don’t overlook aesthetics—it’s a skill that can really set you apart.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Vanessa and I are the co-founders of Lany Space, and as our business continues to grow rapidly, we’re always open to partnering with like-minded individuals or organizations who share our vision and can help us scale to the next level. Currently, I handle marketing while Vanessa oversees product development. As a creative rug brand, we’re particularly interested in collaborating with people or agencies who excel in marketing strategy and can bring fresh ideas to elevate our brand. Additionally, we’re looking for logistical talent—professionals who can help us streamline our supply chain, optimize stock planning, and enhance communication with manufacturers.
If this sounds like you and you’d like to collaborate, we’d love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lanyspace.com
- Instagram: @lany_space
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/lanyspace/
- Youtube: lany_space
Image Credits
Lany Space
