Friends to Founders: Asian Women in Business Together

Friendship is a powerful force that can unlock remarkable potential when coupled with shared passion and complementary skills. From YouTube to DoorDash, Forever 21 to Glow Recipe, we see success stories from friendly collaborations in practically every industry.

Ying & Kang and Kapwa Studio are two other examples of dynamic duos who turned their friendships into successful business ventures. Ying & Kang found their calling in crafting gemstone jewelry that promotes positivity. Meanwhile, an online connection harnessed their collective writing and social media skills to establish Kapwa Studio, a thriving content and copywriting agency.

Meet Ying & Kang — Jewelry Infused With Positive Energy

Ying Hernandez and Yvette Lee Kang’s journey began with a desire to positively impact people’s lives by creating something tangible and meaningful. Their shared interests in music and fashion converged seamlessly at Syracuse University, and they became instant best friends. Their backgrounds working in radio and media continue to influence the musically inspired collections that define Ying & Kang’s unique identity. 

Specific stones and crystals, used for their supposed healing properties, have long been held or worn to improve meditation practices and have been repopularized in Western culture. For example, Blue Agate is often selected to balance positive and negative energy while reducing stress and encouraging introspection. Citrite, on the other hand, is a suitable choice for entrepreneurs and creatives for its enhancing properties regarding self-confidence and self-expression. Drawing from their experiences, they envisioned a business focusing on physical and spiritual well-being.

“We talked about how demanding and challenging life could be and how we wish we could do something to aid people in healing them mentally, emotionally, and spiritually,” Hernandez says. “We had already been utilizing and meditating with gemstones. We wore and carried gemstones as part of our own practice.”

They aspired to create jewelry made by hand (never mass produced) that could benefit people in need of extra positive energy and strength in their daily lives. Imparted with the duo’s positive intentions, they are meticulous in their selections and ensure that their creations are individually crafted with the wearer in mind. Their philosophy is to “Enhance Your Excellence.” 

Within launching their business in 2019, the duo achieved significant accomplishments in a remarkably short period, a testament to their shared dedication and efficient collaboration. Their gemstone creations found a home in two Manhattan boutiques within a month of launching. Reflecting on this achievement, Hernandez shares her excitement, “I knew that we had the same goals and intentions for the company. We wanted to and still want to always do whatever is in the best interest of the company and to keep our customers happy and heard.”

A residency at the prestigious Chelsea Market in 2022 and a prominent placement in the esteemed Maison Ten on 5th Avenue marked their evolution from a budding business to a recognized name in the jewelry industry.

“Being placed in two boutiques within months of establishing Ying & Kang was definitely a milestone,” Hernandez recalls. “Our one-year anniversary of being in business was a huge accomplishment as well — realizing that we were making money, hadn’t folded, and had opportunities flooding our way. [In the future] we would like to be internationally known and considered amongst the top custom gemstone jewelry brands in the world.”

The ease of their partnership stems from mutual respect and a genuine appreciation for each other’s contributions. Hernandez emphasizes, “A long time ago, we built our friendship off of respect, consideration, and honesty. When you have those components as the foundation of your relationship from the start, the way you address each other and trust each other is truly fluid and without friction.”

Get to Know Kapwa Studio — A Combination of Content and Connection 

In 2018, Krista Aoki was living in Vietnam working as a freelance graphic designer, and Alexis Galamay was across the world in Seattle, freshly graduated with a PharmD degree. Galamay had been following Aoki’s blog posts and newsletters about writing more concise and impactful content. Then, amidst the global pandemic, Aoki and Galamay found themselves at a career crossroads. After connecting via Instagram and getting to know one another, the two decided to collaborate. One project became two, guiding them toward a flourishing social media management venture.

“It was February 2021 and we were both going through career transitions at the time,” Aoki recalls. “So I asked Alexis if she was interested in taking on writing projects together. We started working together with a 14-hr time difference!” 

Their friendship, built on three years of being each other’s online cheerleaders, proved to be the perfect foundation for their business. They recognized their shared passion for writing and a mutual desire to grow in the online business space, so they combined their skills to form a content and copywriting agency.

Despite facing time differences, the two navigated the hurdles of starting a business with unwavering commitment. Their first project involved writing brand guidelines, which, while not the easiest service to sell, paved the way for the realization that their true strengths lay in social media management. Establishing an LLC together required complete confidence and transparency, qualities that defined their friendship and ultimately strengthened their business partnership.

“My biggest challenge was learning how to ask for help or to lean on others when I couldn’t make it to work,” Aoki admits. “Alexis has shown me through example that health comes first; and thanks to her leadership, together we’ve built a business that acknowledges we’re humans, we can do the work, but health and personal matters come first sometimes, too.”

Determining the appropriate service pricing — an all-too-common struggle for freelancers — demands careful introspection and honest conversation. “It took a lot for us to get to a point where we can feel confident in our rates,” Galamay adds. “It made me realize the importance of trust and transparency in business partnerships, just like any other relationship.”

While geographical separation posed a logistical challenge, it also deepened their friendship. Despite the distance, Aoki and Galamay developed a deeper connection through shared experiences, both in life and client work. Their human-centered approach to their work shines through, proving that working with friends can be a unique advantage.

“I look forward to our meetings with each other and clients because we get to show up as we are,” Aoki comments. “That’s truly the benefit of working with friends and creating an online business.”

Shared Vision, Shared Success

The stories of Ying & Kang and Kapwa Studio exemplify the positive impact friendship can have on entrepreneurial success. With a couple of vital lessons they’ve learned along the way, they’ve proved that shared passions can lead to professional triumphs. As these pairs continue to pursue their goals for the future, the friendship that sparked these ventures remains an invaluable source of strength and inspiration.

For those considering transforming friendship into a successful business partnership, here are some insights and tips from conversations with these friends/business owners and the wisdom they’ve earned from their journeys. 

1. Shared values, trust, and transparency were the cornerstones of their partnerships. 

You must recognize the importance of a strong foundation. As business partners, navigating decision making and differences of opinion is unavoidable but straightforward when rooted in a bedrock of mutual respect and understanding.

2. It is absolutely necessary to align on goals for the company. 

Crystal-clear communication and a united vision pave the way for achieving collective objectives. Ego, a potential stumbling block for many, has no place in successful collaborations. Instead, recognizing each other’s strengths, learning from one another, and always prioritizing what is best for the business are guiding principles.

3. Defined responsibilities, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to the business are essential elements for sustainable growth. 

In recognizing the humanity of each partner, both partnerships underline the importance of checking in with one another mentally and emotionally. A comfortable and safe work environment, rooted in genuine care for one another, fosters creativity and productivity. Understanding each other’s preferred work styles and communication preferences contributes to the overall well-being of the partnership.

Starting as friends can be a considerable asset for a business, especially when a solid foundation has been established. The strengths that underpin strong friendships also contribute to successful working relationships. By staying true to these principles, these friends have built thriving businesses and strengthened their personal connections, fueling their journeys ahead. Moving forward, the stories of Ying & Kang and Kapwa Studio present the potential for collaborative entrepreneurship among friends.

Check out Ying & Kang jewelry here or follow them on Instagram at @yingandkang. You can find Kapwa Studio on their website or on Instagram at @kapwastudio.co.

Cover: Ying & Kang and Kapwa Studio; Illustration by Lisa Wakiyama