Meet Echo Zhan

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Echo Zhan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Echo below.

Echo, thrilled to have you on the platform as I think our readers can really benefit from your insights and experiences. In particular, we’d love to hear about how you think about burnout, avoiding or overcoming burnout, etc.

I believe the key to avoiding burnout lies in cultivating intentional daily habits. As someone who works for myself, I have the advantage of controlling my own schedule. However, this flexibility can sometimes lead to overworking, such as staying on the clock until just before bed, which I’ve found to be very unhealthy.
To address this, I’ve implemented a rule for myself: I end each workday with a proper “ceremony” to transition out of work mode. This involves signing out of all programs and apps, shutting down my laptop, and dedicating at least one hour before bed to no-screen, no-work activities. During this time, I focus on winding down by reading paper books or engaging in other relaxing activities. This practice has significantly improved my sleep quality and enhanced my productivity the next day.
On a weekly basis, I also prioritize carving out one or two days for personal activities, such as exploring new places or dedicating time to my hobbies. These breaks help me reset mentally and stay energized.
Overall, I’ve found that the key to maintaining a balanced and productive lifestyle as an entrepreneur is focusing on the quality of my deep work time rather than allowing low-quality work to spill into personal or leisure time. For me, the principles of Deep Work are essential in avoiding burnout and sustaining long-term productivity.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am an industrial designer and entrepreneur, currently building a lighting brand called KĀDNS with my friend.

KĀDNS started in 2022 as a passion project between the two of us, fresh out of college and working full-time in the tech industry. In an environment where productivity and speed were constantly prioritized, we found ourselves longing for something more meaningful and aligned with our personal values. Lighting became the perfect medium for us—a blend of thoughtful design and artistic expression. Through our work, we aim to help people create spaces and lifestyles that feel intentional and inspiring.

KĀDNS is a purpose-driven decorative lighting brand. Each light we design is crafted with the mission of resonating emotionally with people and enhancing their well-being. Whether it’s fostering calm during stressful moments, inspiring social interactions that lead to meaningful connections, or shaping focused environments free from distractions, our goal is to blend emotion with illumination. By doing so, we help shape spaces that inspire comfort, connection, and purpose. 

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

As a designer, the prototyping skills I gained during school have been particularly helpful in my journey. These skills enable me to quickly test design ideas with minimal time and budget, allowing for efficient iteration and refinement.
Another quality that has been invaluable is my curiosity about new tools and methods, as well as the ability to quickly learn and adapt to them. We live in an era where new technologies and tools are constantly challenging the status quo. To stay relevant, it’s essential to embrace change, continuously learn, and apply that knowledge to create value.
Additionally, my knowledge of design research has played a significant role. As we navigate the business world as a new lighting brand, we consistently need to go beyond product-making. It’s crucial to uncover insights from our clients and the industry to make informed and impactful business decisions.
For those who are early in their journey, my advice is simple: learn by doing. You won’t truly understand what you’ve read in textbooks until you put it into practice. Experiment, iterate, and let hands-on experience guide your growth.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

One resource that has significantly influenced my approach to management and entrepreneurship is the book Build by Tony Fadell. It’s an honest, fact-based guide on how to create exceptional products, build a successful career, and grow a company. The book provided me with invaluable insights into product development—reminding me that even the most obvious principles can be easily overlooked in the chaos of building something new. There’s always so much happening, and Fadell’s advice helped me stay grounded.
I highly recommend this book to designers, entrepreneurs, managers, or anyone early in their career looking for practical advice on how to navigate their professional journey.
One of my favorite quotes from the book, which really resonated with me, is about choosing your career: “The best way to find a job you’ll love and a career that will eventually make you successful is to follow what you’re naturally interested in, then take risks when choosing where to work.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kadns.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kadns.co/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kadns/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KadnsLighting

Image Credits

Louise Huang, Echo Zhan, Viola Huang