Meet Jiyoung Lee

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

Hi Jiyoung, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

I get most of my positivity from my family.
Watching my 10year old daughter play softball with so much joy and determination inspires me every day.
She is still so young, yet she works hard and never loses her smile- it reminds me to do the same in my own life and work.
And my husband has always been my biggest supporter, constantly helping and encouraging me.
Their energy keeps me grounded and motivated to stay positive , no matter how busy or challenging things get.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I run a Korean-style bakery café in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where there aren’t many Asian-owned businesses. When we first opened, my goal was simple — to share the warmth and creativity of Korean desserts with our community. I wanted people to experience something different yet comforting, like fresh cream donuts and croffles made right when you order.

Over time, I’ve seen how much our customers have embraced these flavors. It’s been so rewarding to hear people say our desserts remind them of their travels or introduce them to something new. As our community’s curiosity about Korean flavors keeps growing, we’re now working on expanding our menu to include Korean-style cupcakes and shaved ice (bingsu).

For me, this bakery is more than just a business — it’s a way to connect cultures and bring joy through food. Every smile from a customer reminds me why I started, and it keeps me excited to keep creating and sharing.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I believe the three most important qualities that helped me build my bakery café are perseverance, adaptability, and creativity.

Perseverance was essential because starting a Korean-style bakery in a community unfamiliar with these flavors wasn’t easy. There were moments of doubt, but staying consistent and believing in my vision made all the difference.

Adaptability has also been key. Listening to our customers and adjusting our menu — from fresh cream donuts to new items like Korean cupcakes and bingsu — allowed us to grow naturally with their needs and curiosity.

Finally, creativity keeps our brand alive. I love reinterpreting traditional Korean desserts in a modern and accessible way that connects cultures and sparks joy.

For anyone starting their own journey, I’d say: stay patient, stay open, and keep creating — even small steps forward can lead to something truly meaningful.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

One of my biggest challenges right now is finding balance — between running my bakery café, developing new menu ideas, and still being present for my family.
As a small business owner and a mom, it’s easy to feel like there’s never enough time, especially as our business continues to grow.
To overcome this, I’ve been learning to delegate more, trust my team, and focus on what truly matters each day.
I also remind myself that growth takes time, and it’s okay to move forward step by step. Staying positive and grounded helps me keep going with joy instead of stress.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jennyssweetboxtulsa.com
• Instagram: jennyssweetboxtulsa
• Other: https://www.doordash.com/store/23129426?utm_source=mx_share