Tea Time with Janice

How do you go from feeling invisible in a new country tobecoming a sought-after celebrity makeup artist with your own agency and beautyline?In this episode, celebrity makeup artist KellyZhang shares her incredible journey from growing up in Henan,China to moving to the U.S., navigating life between two cultures, and building confidence through beauty and creativity. She reveals the early challenges of starting out, how she turned a creative dream into a reality, and the perseverance it took to finally break into the celebrity world.Kelly’s story is a powerful reminder that success rarelyhappens overnight. It took 12 years of dedicationbefore Kelly landed her first celebrity clients, including Chriselle Lim, Sherry Cola, Amy Liu and Jenn Tran. We talk about:Growing up between two cultures and learning to embrace identityLetting go of expectations and saying “yes” to your dream careerThe early hustle of starting your own business Her big break: 12 years later Tips for Asian makeup The secret to building a lasting brand And OBVIOUSLY the most important question: If you could only use one product, forthe rest of your life, what would it be?

We love to say success comes from hard work but the truth is, timing might be the biggest factor no one talks about. In this episode, we break down the story of Kasing Lung, the creator behind the world’s most viral collectible: Labubus, and how he quietly worked for YEARS before seeing mainstream success at nearly 50 years old.Behind Labubu’s viral rise is a deeper story: one of slow success, timing/luck, and an economic concept called the lipstick effect.

Everyone says “age is just a number” until that number is 30 and life feels maybe even more chaotic than your early 20s.This episode is for anyone who thought they'd have it all figured out by now and instead…well, you’re here. BUT WITH ME!! HAHAH We’ll dive into the disconnect between childhood expectations and adult realities. It’s about letting go of unrealistic timelines, embracing the chaos, and redefining what it means to “make it.”

What if you’re just not built for the “safe” path everyone else seems to be on? What if that practical, stable corporate career that’s supposed to feel secure just… makes you feel stuck and unsettled?In this episode, I’m getting real about the messy middle: the uncertainty, the guilt, and the luxury of chasing a creative dream instead of staying on the traditional path. I share the unfiltered truth about “following your passion” as a high-achieving woman in her late 20s or 30s and why it’s not as glamorous as it looks. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re too old to start over or questioned if your dream job is worth the risk, this one’s for you!

Everyone talks about the freedom of being your own boss, but no one prepares you for the loneliness, sacrifice, and self-doubt that comes with building your dream from scratch. Deborah is a licensed esthetician with over 20 years of experience. She has two spas and a sugar manufacturing company, but it didn’t come easy or quick. This week, she takes us on the emotional rollercoaster of building her sugaring empire from nothing. She shares how her business was suddenly stolen from her with NO notice, how she rebuilt and pivoted during COVID, and what it’s really like working with celebrity clients. We also dive into who she was before becoming the “Sugar Mama,” and who she’s learning to be beyond it.SHE CRIED, we laughed—you don’t want to miss this one! For ALL your skincare needs, check out Sugar Mama: Instagram@theskindenbysugarmama@sugarmamaproWebsitehttps://skindenbysugarmama.com/

What happens after you achieve the impossible?   This week, we have an OLYMPIC SWIMMER Jamie Yeung (so yeah, she knows a thing or two about dreaming big), joining us to talk about:  Her journey from high school swim team to Division 1 swimming at the University of Michigan The road to qualifying for the OlympicsWhat it’s really like inside the Olympic VillageWomen vs men in sports and why female athletes still have to be “exceptional” to be seenFinding your identity and purpose after the world stageThis is a conversation about dreams, discipline, identity, and reinvention—so join us, whether you’re an athlete or just a woman trying to figure out her next chapter!  

***This episode is bilingual , video has English translation*** This is for EVERY woman who’s ambitious but tired, capable but unsure, driven but also terrified to start. Some people know her as a chairwoman. Some know her as an artist. But I know her as ‘Mom.’In this episode, my mom shares her journey from being a housewife to becoming the chairwoman of a major international charity (HKTNWA). Raised in a traditional Asian household to becoming a woman who leads, this episode is about what it means to build a life that’s both grounded in tradition and boldly your own.Mama Shiao also gives dating advice on what it means to be mysterious, rules of dating and  what she really thinks about moving in with your S.O. So if you’ve ever felt like you need to have your entire life figured out by your 20s or 30s - this episode gives US permission to breathe. Episode resources More on HKTNWAMore on period poverty

How do you say no without guilt? How do you set boundaries without pushing people away? How do you stop overcommitting just to avoid disappointing others?In this episode, we dive into boundary setting, how to say no (thank you) in different situations, and how to prioritize yourself without guilt. From friendships to relationships, if you struggle with people-pleasing, this one's for you.

Facing a career dilemma or thinking about getting an MBA? In this episode, I brought two of my close MBA friends to talk about the real struggles of navigating career choices in our late 20s. We’re getting real about career pressure, comparison, financial stability vs. creative passion. PLUS, I put them to the test with a game to see if money really buys happiness. And of course, we spill the MBA tea: what surprised us, why does it sometimes feel like high school all over again?

What does it take to take risks and build a successful career in media — without losing yourself along the way? In this episode, the Director of Integrated Media Strategy, spills the tea on navigating the corporate world, making bold career moves, and balancing ambition with personal life.Growing up with Chinese immigrant parents who ran a restaurant, Annie learned early how to take risks and make big decisions independently. She opens up about the reality of working in entertainment, the challenges of advocating for bold ideas, and how she balances ambition with her personal life.

In this episode, the VP of Marketing and Network at a MAJOR creative agency talks about divine timing — how career detours, setbacks, and pivots often lead you exactly where you’re meant to be. We get real about the uncertainty of building a creative career, what it’s like to turn your passion into your full-time job, and how to keep going when success doesn’t follow a straight line.PLUS!! Find out how Iona learned metaphors... let’s just say, “Don’t take my heart and put it on a shelf.” (iykyk)

If you’ve ever felt like you’re starting over in your late 20s, still trying to find your passion, or wondering how you can be “successful” and still feel unfulfilled — this episode is for you. Whether you’re questioning career choices or just trying to figure it all out... I'm with you! I’m backkkkk! Just a 28-year-old small potato stumbling through a never-ending quarter-life crisis, figuring out where I fit. Join me as I talk about being an intern at 28, reaching a career “pinnacle” that didn’t feel fulfilling, and navigating what the next chapter really looks like.

If it always feels like you never have time to fully commit to your biggest priorities in life, we are right there with you. This week, Janice and Emily talk about their struggles trying to simultaneously maintain their relationships with friends and family, growing their careers and actively participating in their hobbies. What are your biggest priorities in life and how do you balance them? 0:00 What is the impossible triangle?? 4:59 Reminiscing on the structure of being in undergrad 8:43 Balancing work, relationships, hobbies is hard 16:11 How do you fit in "me" time? 21:40 The guilt of not constantly prioritizing your family

You asked and we delivered!! “Kitchen Sink” is an UNfiltered and UNstructured series where Emily and Janice catch-up about everything and nothing. Anything goes, so tune in at your own risk! This week, the girls get vulnerable and talk about feeling trapped by societal expectations and the consequences of deviating from the norm. Through stories spanning from buying a new home to high school college acceptance gossip, Emily and Janice discuss the impact of the fear of being wrong on personal growth and success, and how they’re (working on) embracing mistakes as valuable learning opportunities!! 0:00 we're back and we missed you!! :,) 7:03 loneliness during life's big milestones 14:30 it's scary NOT knowing what comes next 20:02 the fear of being wrong is paralyzing 27:21 the voices in my head are LOUD 32:34 how to stop caring about what other people think 37:29 there's no time for feeling judgement after failure

We couldn’t be more excited to kick off #aapiheritagemonth by sharing this episode featuring our podcast inspo and friend - Hana from Bulgogi Podcast!!! From our very first hang out, we realized the different stages of dating we were each in. In this episode, we kick off single girl summer by swapping past dating stories, revealing: the behind the scenes dating process after a match is made how to initiate the first moves with a boy whether a first kiss or hand holding is more intimate and more tips and tricks to navigate the first few dates. 0:00 Introducing Hana!!! 4:25 He asked for my number at BCD?!?!? + Forming a task force to perform a "screening process" for a date ;) 11:50 Things you MUST do before a first date 16:00 Do you "nickname" the boy on the first few dates and why we do it? 18:20 Hana's "scrapbook" of dates and meeting people that reveal your own strengths to you 27:00 Do you like the attention or do you actually like him? 31:30 Kicking off our single girl summer and how to initiate the first moves 35:10 Dating ick stories 43:30 What feels more intimate: kissing or hand holding? 51:10 Can you tell if you like someone based on a first kiss? + and more!!!!! ♥ Hosts Emily & Janice   ♥ Follow us ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠  ♥ Listen ⁠All platforms⁠  ♥ Graphics Special effects, graphic design and branding by ⁠Devin Bennett⁠  ♥ Music Jingle produced by ⁠Barry Tan

We are SO excited to share this episode featuring one of our favorite creators, Corporate Natalie!!! We’ve been following Natalie since the pandemic and if you haven’t heard of her yet, Natalie uses lighthearted humor to poke fun at corporate culture to her nearly 1M followers across TikTok and Instagram. Join us as Natalie dives deep into her personal journey as a content creator, sharing her successes, challenges, and key lessons learned along the way. We talk about how to find balance as a creator and business woman, Natalie’s INSANE celebrity meetings as a content creator (think Justin Bieber and Drake), and imposter’s syndrome as in ANY role and ANY industry. If you don't already, follow Natalie @CorporateNatalie on TikTok and Instagram! 0:00 Introducing Natalie!!! 4:04 Partying with Justin Bieber and Drake?!? 6:20 How Natalie combats insecurities in the influencer world 10:37 The best way to fight burnout 13:22 Loving the business side of content creation ♥ Hosts Emily & Janice   ♥ Follow us ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠  ♥ Listen ⁠All platforms⁠  ♥ Graphics Special effects, graphic design and branding by ⁠Devin Bennett⁠  ♥ Music Jingle produced by ⁠Barry Tan

This week Emily and Janice share their experiences with long distance relationships. When do they work? Where did they go wrong? Does the success of long distance relationships depend on your love language? Tune in to find out!!! 0:00 Wishing we matched for Match Day :/ 3:28 Why I decided to get into a LDR 10:24 LDR prolonged my relationship 14:45 Living a double life in my LDR 21:18 The only way a LDR can work is... 27:26 Why I wouldn't do a LDR again 37:38 Did your love language change after being in an LDR? 41:43 Do long distance relationships work?? Our verdict! ♥ Hosts Emily & Janice   ♥ Follow us ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠  ♥ Listen ⁠All platforms⁠  ♥ Graphics Special effects, graphic design and branding by ⁠Devin Bennett⁠  ♥ Music Jingle produced by ⁠Barry Tan

You asked and we delivered!! “Kitchen Sink” is an UNfiltered and UNstructured series where Emily and Janice catch-up about everything and nothing. Anything goes, so tune in at your own risk! 0:00 In our Eras era!!! 3:37 I got BIT by a dog?? 17:38 Connecting with my late parents in Hawaii 28:47 Tarot Card TikTok is manifesting my love life?? + more! ♥ Hosts Emily & Janice   ♥ Follow us ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠  ♥ Listen ⁠All platforms⁠  ♥ Graphics Special effects, graphic design and branding by ⁠Devin Bennett⁠  ♥ Music Jingle produced by ⁠Barry Tan

This week, Emily and Janice reveal some of their deepest insecurities and how they struggle and deal with comparisons. Whether we compare ourselves to Instagram models, influencers or even to each other, we all face it alone, mostly. We’re never short of things to compare ourselves and the girls have A LOT to share, so this episode has been split into two parts! We’d love to hear how you may deal with comparing yourself to others. 0:00 Should I get botox?? 8:53 How we combat insecure thoughts 14:25 You don't notice someone else's insecurities 18:23 How women take control of their insecurities 26:01 I'm the "ugly" friend 29:02 Comparing my social life with my friends 36:06 Saying NO to hang outs with no value add 40:54 Why do we seek external validation?? ♥ Hosts Emily & Janice   ♥ Follow us ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠  ♥ Listen ⁠All platforms⁠  ♥ Graphics Special effects, graphic design and branding by ⁠Devin Bennett⁠  ♥ Music Jingle produced by ⁠Barry Tan

This week, Emily and Janice reveal some of their deepest insecurities and how they struggle and deal with comparisons. Whether we compare ourselves to Instagram models, influencers or even to each other, we all face it alone, mostly. We’re never short of things to compare ourselves and the girls have A LOT to share, so this episode has been split into two parts! We’d love to hear how you may deal with comparing yourself to others. 0:00 My body image insecurity ~triggered~ 11:00 What helps us through these physical insecurities 18:19 Where does my body insecurity stem from? 20:15 Hollywood’s newest get-skinny-quick drug ♥ Hosts Emily & Janice   ♥ Follow us Instagram TikTok  ♥ Listen All platforms  ♥ Graphics Special effects, graphic design and branding by Devin Bennett  ♥ Music Jingle produced by Barry Tan