Meet Gardenia Zhou

We recently connected with Gardenia Zhou and have shared our conversation below.

Gardenia, 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.

Life is always going to feel busy, and in this day and age we are constantly overstimulated by social media, events, and work. Part of the reason I founded Forchewn came from my love of the outdoors, especially camping and hiking. The way I avoid burnout is by taking intentional breaks to disconnect completely, turning off my phone, and spending quiet, quality time with friends and family outside.

Even just half a day or a weekend of camping helps reset my mind and calm the feeling of always being “on.” One of my favorite moments is waking up on a cool morning, hearing the subtle sounds of nature, and enjoying a warm cup of delicious Forchewn coffee. It is the simplest way to relax, slow down, and remember what really matters.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I have spent the past year launching Forchewn, a specialty instant coffee brand with a mission to help people enjoy the best coffee from around the world, anytime, anywhere. Coffee is not just something we drink in the morning for caffeine. It is incredibly complex in flavor and experience. My favorite moments happen when people try our coffee for the first time. A common reaction is, “Wait, this is coffee? Why is it so floral and fruity?” There is a spark of surprise in their eyes, and that moment gives me confidence that people appreciate the craft, the farmers behind the beans, and ultimately the taste.

I would love to invite you to one of our pop-ups, where we always offer tastings of our current selections. I enjoy meeting new people, sharing stories, and showing how exciting a single cup of coffee can be.

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, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are adaptability, resourcefulness, and storytelling.

Adaptability helped me navigate unfamiliar environments, from switching between different industries to shifting between creative and business mindsets. The best way to build it is to put yourself in situations where you are not fully comfortable and learn to observe, listen, and adjust.

Resourcefulness has shaped how I solve problems when time, budget, or clarity are limited. Taking on projects without a clear roadmap forces you to make decisions, experiment, and build confidence in ambiguity.

Storytelling has helped me communicate ideas, share the craft behind products, and connect with people emotionally. To improve, talk to others, listen closely, and pay attention to what resonates.

My advice is to seek experiences that stretch you and stay curious. Growth happens just outside your comfort zone, and every challenge becomes part of your story.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

Surround yourself with people who are different from you, people who excel in their own area and craft, and learn from them. Remixing and matching different experiences, stories, and skills often leads to new innovations.

My husband and business partner, for example, has a completely different set of strengths than I do. When we work together, we focus on different areas but constantly challenge each other.

When we take on new skills or challenges, we make it fun by turning it into a bit of a competition. This friendly rivalry pushes us to level up and keeps the process exciting. It also makes the small wins feel even sweeter, especially when you can celebrate them with someone who understands the grind. And sometimes, bragging rights are all the motivation you need.

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