Elenor Mak's journey to creating Jilly Bing, a line of Asian-inspired dolls, was anything but a walk in the park. 🎎 She started off with a simple Google search: "how do you make a doll?" and dove headfirst into the world of toy design. However, the road was fraught with…
Elenor Mak has a vision, a dream if you will. She wants to create a doll that truly represents the rich diversity of the Asian-American community. 🎎 No one-size-fits-all approach for her. She's not interested in diluting the unique identities that make up this vibrant community. Enter Jilly, a doll…
Elenor Mak, a beacon of empowerment, has a message that resonates deeply with the heart. She believes in the power of visibility, in the importance of telling our children, "you are beautiful as you are." 🌸 Growing up in the 80s, she was often made fun of for her distinct…
Elenor Mak's journey with Jilly Bing is a testament to the power of representation. 🎎 She's heard from parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and women of all ages. They've all echoed the same sentiment: "This is the doll I wished I had growing up." 🌸 One mother, reflecting on her own…
Elenor Mak shares a powerful narrative on the importance of representation, particularly in the toy industry. 🎎 Imagine being a young child, stepping into the toy aisle of a major retailer, only to find rows upon rows of dolls that bear no resemblance to you. 🚶♀️ This experience, Mak argues,…
Dr. Deji Ayoade's journey to the top echelons of the Pentagon is a testament to the power of embracing one's uniqueness. 🌏 When he first stepped into the world of senior leadership, he found himself in an environment that was starkly different from anything he had previously experienced. 🏢 But…
Dr. Deji Ayoade, a renowned mental health advocate, shares a powerful perspective on life's challenges and the importance of maintaining integrity. He believes that life, in its essence, is a series of challenges. 🌪️ These challenges, however, are not obstacles, but opportunities for us to shine, to learn, and to…
Dr. Deji Ayoade once shared a profound piece of wisdom that his father passed onto him. 🎎 "You may not know where you're going, but you know where you're coming from. Don't ever compromise yourself. You don't ever try to achieve anything by taking a shortcut." These words, filled with…
Dr. Deji Ayoade's journey to the American dream is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. 🌏 Growing up in Nigeria, he was surrounded by challenges and hardships. Yet, he held onto a vision of a better life, a life he believed could be achieved in America. 🇺🇸…
Dr. Deji Ayoade, a respected figure in the Pentagon, shares a powerful narrative about breaking stereotypes and fostering understanding in a diverse workplace. 🌏 He recalls a moment when he felt misunderstood by his colleagues. He took the initiative to address this, inviting four of them for a candid conversation.…
Dr. Deji Ayoade, a Nigerian immigrant, shares his unique journey of navigating life in the US. 🌏 His story is one of resilience and adaptability, a testament to the power of perspective. When he first arrived, he was blissfully unaware of the subtle biases and stereotypes that were often directed…
In this episode of the Color of Success Podcast, our gracious host, Dr. Stephanie J Wong, sits down with the incredible Elenor Mak. Elenor Mak's journey began with her quest for a doll that resembled her Asian-American daughter, Jillian. Frustrated by the lack of representation in toy aisles, Elenor turned…
In a conversation with Dr. Deji Ayoade, a fascinating concept was brought to light. 🎎 A certain lady on LinkedIn had shared her research findings on children, pinpointing a single attribute that stood as a strong recipe for success. The word was "Grit". 🏮 This term, often overlooked, encapsulates the…
Growing up in San Francisco, I've seen the city's vibrant hues and shadows. 🌉 Racism isn't new, but today, it's glaringly visible, thanks to social media's magnifying lens. 📱 Yet, there's a silver lining: our generation is rising, refusing to be silent or fit into stereotypes.🥢 We're mobilizing, speaking out,…
Imagine arming your mother with a whistle and pepper spray just for her daily commute. 🎎 The rise in anti-Asian hate crimes has deeply affected the mental well-being of many in our community. 🏠 While I'm privileged to work from home, the thought of my kids and elderly mother facing…
Remember those heart-to-hearts with family? 🏡 We recently sat down with our 11-year-old, especially after our 17-year-old dog's passing. It's okay to seek help, to lean on others. 💗 Schools, community groups, or even a simple journal can be your sanctuary. 📖 Finding your tribe, exploring passions, or just penning…
Ever reflected on the company you keep as a teen? 🌸 It's essential to be with those who uplift and understand you. Surrounding yourself with genuine souls not only boosts your self-worth but also shapes your journey. 🌟 Setting boundaries is a sign of self-respect, and when the path seems…
In this enlightening interview, Dr. Deji Ayoade talks about his unique journey from being an African immigrant to a nuclear missile operator in the US Air Force, and how he sought solace in storytelling. With a rich background in various fields, he shares his perspectives on the American dream and…
Sheena Yap Chan paints a vivid picture of the modern woman's life. 🎎 She tells us, "Yes, you can just put it out there. Even if it fails, at least you can move on." She emphasizes the importance of community and the power of asking for help. As women, we…
In a recent conversation with Sheena Yap Chan, we dove deep into the complexities of Asian identity and the harmful stereotypes that often accompany it. 🎎 Sheena shared that, within the Asian community, there's often a pressure to conform to certain expectations - to be hardworking, to be quiet, to…
To Sheena Yap Chan, the journey to self-confidence is a path as diverse as we are. 🌏 There isn't a one-size-fits-all blueprint for building confidence, because hey, we're all unique beings with different life experiences, aren't we? Learning from others who have navigated their own struggles, who have bolstered their…
On this interview with Sheena Yap Chan, she recollected the different roles Asian women have had to play, from 9-figure business owners to authors. It's a story that resonates with all women, a testament to our collective strength and resilience. It's a reminder that we're still navigating through a world…
In the words of Sheena Yap Chan, what is it that holds us back? 🤔 We're often bound by the chains of cultural, historical, and intergenerational trauma. The model minority myth is one such shackle. 🎭 But understanding these traumas, these invisible barriers, is the first step towards healing. It's…
Here's a little story for you. 📚 I was walking down the streets of New York, the city's hustle and bustle surrounding me. 🏙️ Suddenly, a headline caught my eye - "Asian women least likely to be promoted in leadership roles." 😮 It hit me like a punch in the…
