In 2000, the Taiwanese government awarded Yeni Wong the most prestigious trophy for being an outstanding overseas female entrepreneur. Her unusual clout, though, derives from the breadth of her command and her guts in staking new ground.
I have a saying: women in business don’t cry. I’ve never told Yeni that, but I can’t see Yeni crying. She’s tough and very funny, but most of all, she has undeniably excellent taste, and that’s an extension of her personality. She’s natural. She doesn’t wear a lot of makeup, yet she looks really good. She’s completely committed to her family. She’s never contrived. She’s always optimistic. I like so much that she sees the best in people and that, like millions of others, I get to watch her vision.
Yeni doesn’t just inspire us. She affirms us with her intelligence, authenticity, depth, and compassion. We see the best of ourselves in her and marvel that no matter what she’s doing, she brings 100 percent of herself to the experience.
The woman I first met almost twenty years ago, with her graciousness, care, and attention to detail, is the same woman I interviewed more recently. Her very presence makes you feel welcome. Her great enthusiasm is secondary to her heart power, and I salute her for that. I trust her. I know that whatever she gives her attention to, the truth will always be present. She doesn’t make false moves.
The joy Yeni brings to her community leadership role is what makes her so intoxicating. We want that joy in the roles we inhabit as friends. And while we admire those arms and applaud her fashion choices, her greatest influence is that she makes us want to be our own best selves—and maybe lift a few weights too.
Watching her on the community stage—greeting celebrities, chatting with local dignitaries, and representing us—represents the way we imagine presenting ourselves on our best day.
How on earth can you summarize Yeni? If she were a destination, it would be the place where joy serves the world’s greatest need. And if she were your next-door neighbor, she’d pad over in pajamas, help you finish the bag of potato chips, and laugh with you about the mistakes we all make on the road to learning something new.
It’s said that the average human has one hundred thousand heartbeats a day. Yeni may not have more of them than the rest of us, but each one is powered by purpose. How sweet it is that Chinatown has a leader who embodies the vibrancy and confidence of a seriously prepared, insightful, and visionary woman. She’s a phenomenal woman indeed.
Here’s what she told me about success.
What’s your advice to aspiring female entrepreneurs?
I know it’s been said before, but I will say it again: Bbe persistent and don’t give up! One of the biggest compliments I have received since starting this adventure has been, “Good job! Way to follow through with your idea.” There are days I think coming up with the idea was easy compared with everything else that needs to be done to make it successful.
Starting a business takes time, even when you have the “best” idea. You need endurance to get through the highs and lows, so it’s incredibly important to pace yourself. What’s more, as a female entrepreneur, I believe that you can break through any preconceived notions of the glass ceiling. And if you truly believe you have a good idea, don’t let anybody tell you it’s not. Keep with it and work hard to realize your vision. As an entrepreneur, you are often paving your own way; many people will give you a lot of advice, but they may not have all the answers. That means it is very important to hear opinions and facts, but trust your gut and your instincts when making decisions.
Be relentless and passionate about your start-up and keep an eye on competitors, but always bang to the beat of your own drum. Pace yourself and take up an active team sport so you can break away from work, punching people and bags! It’ll enable you to press your default reset button three times a week and build self-esteem and energy levels, and reinforce confidence. Because much of your success in the early days boils down to your ability to empathize with people., Lleave your ego at the door. Surround yourself with the most brilliant people you know and be unabashed about recognizing great ideas no matter where they come from, as most times they simply won’t come from you.
Think big. Dream big. Don’t limit yourself. Don’t be afraid to give up what you think is holding you back and see that you have all the tools, and all the passion, you need to be successful. As you take this important step in your life, never forget that.
The second piece of advice I would give to aspiring female entrepreneurs is to always stay focused on your business and don’t get stuck working in it. You’ve chosen to start your own business to be your own boss. If you can’t get out of the day-to-day tasks and focus on what you want your business to be five to ten years from now, your business will run your life.
Who’s the entrepreneur you most admire?
When I was little, we had a series of books for kids about important people in history. I remember reading over and over the stories about Benjamin Franklin and Walt Disney and thinking I wanted to be like them someday. What kid doesn’t dream about building an amusement park or coming up with amazing inventions? I also admire Oprah Winfrey. Looking at the power, wealth, and philanthropy that is Oprah Winfrey’s life now, it’s nearly impossible to imagine the difficult childhood that shaped her larger-than-life persona. She overcame long odds to become arguably the most influential woman entrepreneur in history.
What’s the proudest achievement to date?
I’d have to say that my most fulfilling professional achievement is helping to shepherd Chinatown revitalization to where it is today. I’m proud of the development we’ve built, and I’m thrilled that we are addressing a real need in the market. In particular, I take tremendous pride in the team we’ve built and feel fortunate to work with smart, determined people.