Meet Megan Peng

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Megan Peng. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Megan, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

To me, creativity starts with curiosity. Keeping things alive means keeping them moving. So I keep my creativity alive by staying curious about everything.

Growing up in Asia, where cultural norms can be conservative and traditional, I often held back from asking questions, sometimes feeling naive or embarrassed for having too many. As a result, I feel like I repressed some of that childlike curiosity. Now recognizing how vital it is to keep my creativity alive, I actively try to push past that mindset—and, well, there’s always Google.

An old colleague and friend used to tell me, 有問有希望, meaning “there’s hope if you ask.” While he might have meant it more in a “shoot your shot”, “f*ck around and find out” kind of way, I believe his wisdom applies here too.

I’m fortunate to have explored various curiosities of mine in college and my career, from fine arts to industrial and graphic design, ultimately leading to film. These different skillsets give me a unique perspective. Just the other day, I pushed a pull door, again, and thought, “Hmm, this is bd design; what will make it better?” and “how would I best captured this moment of embarrassment in a film…?” My mind plays with these connections, stretching through my curiosity pursuits— and perhaps that’s what keeps my creativity and, in turn, me alive.

In the end, I believe creativity thrives when you step out of your comfort zone and embrace a playful spirit. Staying curious keeps your creativity alive and vibrant. It’s about enjoying the journey, not just focusing on the destination. As long as we’re open to learning, creativity will seamlessly integrate into every aspect of our lives, bringing fresh ideas and inspiration.

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 am thrilled to share a project I’m currently working on with my best friend, which is very special to us—it’s called Friends with Boobs (FWB). Alongside my freelance design and videography work, FWB is a passion project that brings another dimension to what I do creatively. Our brand is all about embracing playfulness and infusing joy into the serious business of adulthood.

Our story goes back to high school, where we were inseparable. We were known for our antics, like hot-gluing an M&M tower onto the desk or playing a game where we’d find two circles and pretend they were eyes looking at us. We could make fun out of anything, laughing out of thin air. Our teachers even had to assign our seating separately to keep us from distracting each other, but that didn’t stop us from passing doodles during class to get through the boring parts. We got to be weird together and relish in our shared imagination.

To me, it’s incredibly exciting and fulfilling to work with my best friend. I am really grateful to have someone with whom I can be creative, where we truly feed off each other’s energy. There’s a special connection—默契—that makes creating together effortless and joyful. It’s a unique and wonderful feeling to be able to share that connection with others through our brand.

FWB aims to bring happiness to people through quirky art and a playful attitude. At the core of our mission is the belief that life doesn’t have to be so serious. We’re essentially “kids living in adult bodies,” and we want to share our optimistic outlook on life as we navigate the growing pains of adulthood. Our creations celebrate inclusivity, bringing together a community that values love and personality over cultural backgrounds.

What makes our brand unique is our commitment to blending humor and art while promoting general well-being. Each piece features adorable, cheeky animals that convey our message of lightheartedness. We want to remind everyone that it’s okay to have fun and be a little silly amid the challenges of life. Through our work, we hope to spark joy and encourage people to embrace their playful sides.

This summer, we decided it was time to share our purest and happiest ideas with the world. With FWB, we aim to create a community that not only appreciates playful art but also feels a sense of connection and belonging. Our goal isn’t just to sell products but to spread kindness, laughter, and a reminder to take life less seriously.

While freelancing keeps me busy, FWB, along with a few other personal projects, allows me to explore my creativity in different ways. As we move forward, we’re excited to explore new avenues within our brand, including upcoming events and product launches that will showcase our latest creations. We can’t wait to share more of our journey and connect with others who share our values of curiosity, playfulness, and inclusivity. Together, we can rediscover the joy of being a little silly and celebrating our inner child!

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

Stay Hopeful: Even in tough times, remember there are always possibilities. I find inspiration in the podcast “The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos,” particularly the episode about hope. It helps me stay optimistic.

Learn to Let Go: I used to be a perfectionist with little confidence, but I’ve realized it’s more important to finish projects than make them perfect. Progress matters more, and in the grand scheme, the small details don’t matter as much.

Learn to Share: Sharing your passion creates connections. Putting your work out there enriches creativity and builds community. It’s amazing how sharing can inspire in unexpected ways.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

My biggest area of growth over the past year has been in my health. I hadn’t really worked out seriously since high school, but I decided to shake things up and signed up for a half marathon earlier this year. Now, running has become a regular part of my routine, and honestly, I’ve never felt better.

At first, I didn’t think much would change, and I was hesitant in adding another commitment into my routine. I was not wrong, running is painful, it leaves me exhausted and my whole body aching, but weirdly it also keeps me coming back. Maybe it’s a sign of my late 20s crisis, or perhaps it’s the realization that I can push through and become better than my old self. Running, both literally and metaphorically, keeps me moving; it gives me hope.

In fact, I just signed up for a full marathon next year… kind of crazy… but I’m excited to see where this journey takes me!

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Image Credits

Alice Liu

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