Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in training and education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lulu Cheng, Co-Founder of Bitty Bao, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Bitty Bao offers Chinese-English bilingual books and Asian-inspired merchandise that’s lovingly created by two moms and educators to celebrate language, culture, and traditions. What began as a hobby to create bilingual books for our own children quickly grew into a worldwide venture, and we are passionate about providing resources to aid and encourage children everywhere to learn a second language. Bitty Bao bilingual books are available in Mandarin and Cantonese.
Tell us about yourself
I was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and moved to the United States for college. My love of books and learning intensified as I followed my passion to become an elementary school teacher. After having my own children, I realized how important it was to me to raise them to be bilingual and bi-literate. My desire to pass on my native language and culture to my children, coupled with the fact that there were relatively few bilingual resources widely available, inspired me to create books and learning materials in Chinese.
Bitty Bao helps my children identify with their Chinese roots -- it helps them understand that it is part of who they are and can be part of their everyday life no matter where they live. Our books celebrate language, culture, and traditions, and we hope the representation will help validate peoples’ experiences and build a better, more accepting, loving, and kind world.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I’m most proud of creating a platform to make a positive impact and also serve as a role model to encourage others. It’s been humbling to receive such an overwhelming response from our readers and families who reached out to us to say how inspired they are by our stories – making them believe they can reach their dreams and goals as well.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Work/life balance – the hardest part is juggling all of the roles we need to play as women and as entrepreneurs. Being a mom, a wife, and an entrepreneur is not easy. It’s difficult to maintain a strong image and be positive at all times. I’ve found it essential to my mental health to speak to other moms, working professionals, and entrepreneurs alike about the struggles and challenges we all face and to gain some understanding of how others manage. My husband and family are my biggest supporters and cheerleaders, and. their reminders and encouragement help me push forward.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Don’t be afraid to ask the people around you for advice and help, and all questions are valid. Sometimes what you think is small and unimportant to ask, or feel too embarrassed to ask, may, in reality, be the same struggles shared by many others. Seize the moment, roll with the momentum, and go for it!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.bittybao.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bittybaobooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bitty.bao/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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