An Inspired Chat with Cici Zhao of Los Angeles

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Cici Zhao. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Cici, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Because I often coordinate with coworkers in China, the UK, and Vietnam, my schedule runs a little later than most, so I typically start my day around 11 a.m. After getting ready, I take my dog for a 30-minute walk. It’s an important routine for me—not only does it give me time with my dog, but it also allows me to clear my head, reset, and start prioritizing the key tasks I want to accomplish that day.

When I return, I make a cup of coffee, have something light to eat, and then fully shift into work mode. I usually play some music in the background to stay focused and energized. I start by reviewing group chat messages that require my attention, followed by checking emails. This structure helps me stay efficient and ensures I can quickly align on priorities. Even though my mornings begin later, I find that those first 90 minutes are highly productive and set the tone for the rest of the day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Cici, and I’m the founder of Snowears, a brand I launched about four years ago focused on snowboarding and skiing apparel. That was also the same year I was first interviewed by CanvasRebel, so in many ways, they’ve been part of our journey from the start.

While Snowears began as just “snow wears,” this year we’ve given it a new definition: SNO – Seek, Navigate, and Overcome. We believe that every outdoor adventure comes with its own challenges, and our mission is to help people find their way through them while feeling supported and encouraged.

What makes us unique is that we’ve grown beyond winter gear. We saw that many snowboarders and skiers gravitate toward surfing in the summer, so we introduced a surfing collection and later added running and cycling collections as well. Today, Snowears represents more than seasonal apparel—it’s about empowering an active lifestyle all year round, with functional and stylish gear designed to help people conquer every adventure.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
For me, it was the moment I realized what I truly wanted to do—without following the path my parents had in mind. Growing up in an Asian cultural background, you’re often expected to listen to your parents when it comes to major life choices—choosing a major, finding a “stable” job, or even how you should live your life. Stability is seen as the most important thing, and for girls especially, there are often limits placed on what’s “appropriate,” like avoiding extreme sports or unconventional careers.

At one point, I thought I was going to spend my life as an office lady doing accounting. But deep down, I knew it didn’t fit my personality or passions. So I made a big decision: I quit my job, moved to another city, and started what I call “Cici 2.0.” My parents weren’t thrilled—they still complained—but I finally found peace in choosing my own path. That peace, combined with the passion I poured into building my career, gave me clarity and momentum for the future.

I’m also glad that Snowears was born under this Cici 2.0, because she knew exactly what she wanted. She was ready to give all of herself to a career she believed in, and that’s what allowed the brand to grow bigger. That experience taught me something important: when you stick to your heart, you’ll discover a completely different world—a world you can build for yourself, instead of one designed by others.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes—I clearly remember the first year of Snowears. That was a really tough time. I didn’t have any income outside of the brand, and I was dedicating nearly 24 hours a day to building Snowears. The payback was slow and often felt very small compared to the effort I was putting in. Meanwhile, most of my friends had stable jobs and steady paychecks, while I was still struggling to get the brand off the ground.

But looking back, that challenge was also what shaped me the most. It taught me persistence, patience, and the value of believing in your vision even when the results don’t come right away. Sticking through that period is the reason Snowears exists and continues to grow today.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe that persistence and hard work will eventually pay off with success and financial reward. We often hear people say, “If you work hard, fortune will come to you.” And in many ways, I do believe that’s true—because hard work builds skills, resilience, and opportunities. But at the same time, I also recognize that it’s not something I can completely prove.

The reality is, success isn’t guaranteed just by effort alone. Sometimes it also requires the right timing, the right environment, and even a little bit of luck. I think of it as a mix: persistence and dedication create the foundation, but luck is like the spark that can accelerate growth. What I hold onto, though, is the belief that if you keep showing up and working hard, you increase your chances of being “lucky” when opportunities appear.

So while I can’t prove it, I choose to believe that persistence, combined with patience and a bit of luck, is the formula that eventually brings fortune.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I reply to customers almost like I’m texting a friend—fast, direct, and always available. I’ve always believed that good products matter, but great service is what really builds trust and loyalty. For many of our customers, especially in today’s online shopping world, waiting days for a response can be frustrating. I make it a priority to answer quickly, solve problems right away, and make them feel heard.

I think that responsiveness has become part of Snowears’ DNA. Customers know that behind the brand, there’s someone who genuinely cares about their experience and is ready to help at any time. So if I retired tomorrow, I think they’d miss that personal connection—the feeling that Snowears isn’t just a store, but a brand that listens and responds as fast as a friend would.

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Image Credits
Jason, Jenny, Daisy, Honor, Lucas, Momo, Taevis

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