“Every story carries its own weight, and from each one, you and I can find our own answers. A captivating entrepreneurial journey is never solely about the growth of a business; it also includes how an entrepreneur balances their career, family, and self, while navigating different life goals.” For Flora Chen, the founder of Flora Starup, each guest invited to the Flora Starup YouTube interview programme and short video series—whether they are first-generation business owners, second-generation entrepreneurs, or founders of starups—has pursued their own vision and, through their actions, written their own story along the way.
In an interview with《The Icons》, an international magazine for influential figures, Flora Chen, an entrepreneur who has founded companies, invested in, and supported starups, shared the heartfelt inspiration behind creating Flora Starup. This is a personal project she has built with great care and dedication, outside her professional endeavours.
“As the founder of Flora Starup, every leader featured on the show has gone through countless trials, failures, and rebirths. Through in-depth interviews, I want the public to know that their success is the result of harmonising between career and family, finding a renewed sense of balance. Every step of the way, nothing has been left to chance.”
As a female entrepreneur, Flora Chen not only explores business development on Flora Starup, but also focuses on the issue of balancing work, family, and life for women. “As an entrepreneur, whenever I devote my full energy into my business, the demands at home seem to rise invisibly, as if the scales are constantly tipping. Even the slightest change can upset the balance.” She shared her experiences of constantly struggling between the pressures of entrepreneurship and her responsibilities at home, emphasising that achieving this balance required countless adjustments before she found her own rhythm, eventually overcoming these challenges.
Through her platform, Flora offers advice and strategies to help women find a balance between life and work: “I want to encourage women to face challenges with courage. Whether it’s the pressures of the workplace or the complex roles we manage at home, I want them to know that each of us is capable of handling multiple responsibilities. I’m working to make Flora Starup a bridge for conveying this idea, using stories to empower these women leaders—who carry a variety of responsibilities on their shoulders while remaining full of ideals and ambitions.”
Transforming the Interview Channel to Spotlight More Leadership Stories
In the summer of 2023, Flora Chen began sharing her brand philosophy and entrepreneurial journey through short videos, hoping to inspire more individuals striving along the path of entrepreneurship. As her brand gradually expanded into international markets, Flora realised that personal influence needs to be integrated with more resources in order to sustain the brand’s growth.
With a determined mindset to change the status quo, Flora did not stop there. “What if I interviewed other leaders, creating even more sparks?” she recalls. At that time, she came across a profound quote in a book that deeply resonated with her: “True success is not about your own spotlight; it’s about how you help others shine.”
This quote marked a turning point for Flora. The 2.0 version of Flora Starup was no longer her personal stage, but a platform where entrepreneurs and business leaders from various fields were invited to share their stories and experiences. Through these interviews, Flora weaved each guest’s journey into inspiring narratives, bringing strength and inspiration to a wider audience.
“I have always believed that everyone’s story holds unique value, like a masterpiece of art that deserves to be appreciated and understood by all. I believe every story, no matter its size, is worth reflecting on and learning from. Each one will undoubtedly inspire us to view life from a different perspective.”
One of the guests who left a lasting impression on Flora Chen during Flora Starup was Tina Yang, CEO of Chihpen Century Hotel. This young female entrepreneur took on the heavy responsibility of running the company after the sudden passing of her father, which brought with it both internal and external pressures. “Many doubted whether I, as a woman, could handle the role of CEO. But with each challenge that came my way, I didn’t falter. Through persistence and a refusal to give up, I transformed the scepticism from others into the driving force that propelled me forward. These trials became the very foundation of my success, leading my business onto a path of endless potential.”
As Tina Yang shared her story on the programme, Flora Chen was deeply moved. It reminded her of the similar challenges she had once faced. This interview reignited Flora’s determination to continue nurturing her show beyond her own business ventures.
Promoting SDG Values and Showcasing the Resilience of Female Leadership
Flora Chen recalls attending a talk by Catherine Huang, Sustainability Director of Victor Taichung, where she heard a phrase that deeply resonated with her: “A business is not merely a personal achievement, but a responsibility to society.” This statement made Flora immediately reflect on how her programme could contribute more to the current era. “I started to think that through my interviews, more people could learn about these influential leaders who are not only successful in business but also committed to giving back to society. I hope to convey these voices, create more positive cycles, and inspire more influential individuals to invest their resources into making the world a better place.”
“At present, I focus on three main themes: ‘relationship-building,’ ‘the workplace,’ and ‘starups,’ with ‘altruism’ at the core of the programme’s philosophy,” Flora explains. She believes that “altruism” is synonymous with “sustainability.” On Flora Starup, she shares her own story, invites guests to discuss the details of their entrepreneurial journeys, and actively advocates for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5: Gender Equality and Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, while also showcasing the resilience and strength of women.
In the global wave of digitalisation and sustainable development, companies are facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities. As a leading force uniting industries, the Taiwan Digital Enterprise Alliance (TDEA) helps businesses enhance their competitiveness and guide transformation through experience-sharing and resource integration. Bella Wang, CEO of the TDEA, who is widely known as the “Second-Generation Queen,” highlighted in her interview on Flora Starup the unique value of women’s resilience during the succession process. “Traditionally, second-generation female entrepreneurs often begin by focusing on softer areas like human resources and finance. However, I’ve seen many who have excelled in roles like sales and public relations. I believe that the first generation of entrepreneurs should consider the company’s current state and development, then align the second-generation leader’s personality and strengths with the appropriate role, allowing them to showcase their full potential.”
Dr. Amber Chen, founder of Ambercell Consulting Limited, focuses on silk protein technology, developing various biomedical material applications, and building an international biotechnology ecosystem. With a spirit of perseverance, she has transformed the traditionally perceived silk protein industry into a new landscape. Bearing the responsibility of succeeding the family business, while also leading her own starup and assisting many second-generation leaders in integrating ecosystem resources, Amber shared during her interview on Flora Starup that, regardless of gender, every entrepreneur needs to maintain their own pace. “Sometimes, those offering advice do not represent you, nor do they fully understand what you’re doing, so there’s no need to be swayed by them. As your abilities grow stronger and your resources increase, you will no longer need to rely on others, and the world will treat you more fairly.”
“There was another female entrepreneur I interviewed who is a single mother, shouldering the responsibility of raising three children, yet she chose to start her own business. Despite the waves of opposition from those around her—some saying she was taking too many risks, others believing she couldn’t possibly balance family and work—she didn’t see it as a wrong decision. She believed that women can achieve economic independence through entrepreneurship and gain more freedom of choice.” In the end, entrepreneurship enabled this female entrepreneur to balance work, family, and spending time with her children, achieving an ideal harmony.
“I regard Flora Starup as a fountain for sharing life, business, and philosophy, offering inspiration to contemporary leaders, particularly women, who are navigating their own paths. Of course, success stories are not defined by gender. Whether male or female, whether they carry the heavy responsibility of succession or are going through the hardships of building a new brand, as long as they understand their choices and are willing to move forward—despite the stumbles—their leadership journey will be unique and worthy of admiration.”
When There is Light in Your Heart, the Whole World Will Shine for You
“People might assume that second-generation successors have an easy and carefree journey. However, the reality is that the pressures they face are no less than those experienced by regular entrepreneurs, and they must tackle challenges that others may not fully understand. ‘Succession’ is not a simple ‘parachute landing,’ and no one can gracefully ‘land safely’ without turbulence. Instead, they are subjected to heightened scrutiny from various stakeholders, including doubts and judgments. I often compare succession to entrepreneurship in my programme, but this form of entrepreneurship requires even more agility, with immediate demands to deliver results.”
Flora Chen also summarised insights from her interviews with numerous leaders, stating that whether you’re a successor or an entrepreneur, as a business leader, you must maintain a “fast, precise, and decisive” rhythm. “You need to constantly update your knowledge and stay highly attuned to the market. Otherwise, a single wrong decision could cost you your competitive edge.” As a leader, you must find solutions to each challenge and take immediate action. “The key to success lies in your ability to quickly adjust, continuously adapt, and find the balance, ensuring steady progress in a competitive market.”
From producing steel furniture to expanding into DIY toolboxes and professional toolboxes for over 40 years, Brian Chang, Chairman of Machan International, took over the company in 2002, rapidly boosting its revenue from NT$100 million to NT$2.4 billion. During his interview on Flora Starup, Brian mentioned, “As a second-generation successor, you not only need passion and dedication towards the company, but you must also continually build your knowledge through the failures you encounter. As a leader, when decisions don’t yield the expected results, making quick corrections not only stabilises the team but also enables flexible responses in a rapidly changing market, ensuring the company’s steady development.”
Flora Chen shared that nearly all the entrepreneurs who have been interviewed on Flora Starup emphasised that maintaining humility and gratitude has been key to their success: “Never forget to be thankful to those who have helped you unconditionally. Without them, you wouldn’t be where you are today.” Flora also reflected on her own journey of building her brand, vividly recalling all the partners who supported her along the way:
“I am immensely grateful to every employee who gave their all, standing by me through the toughest times. I also thank each guest who appeared on Flora Starup, opening up their life stories and inspiring both me and my audience. And of course, I am deeply appreciative of the family and friends who supported me during my most challenging moments. Their encouragement and help gave me the strength and courage to continue pursuing what I wanted to do.”
“Flora Starup is not just a programme interviewing leaders, it’s a place to seek light and a place to shine. I showcase and share the brilliance of more entrepreneurs, and through the programme’s influence, I hope, bit by bit, to ignite a flame in the hearts of those who watch it,” said Flora Chen.
“When there is light in your heart, the whole world will shine for you.”
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