Home: New York City, NY. Age: Old enough to know how to wield an N64 controller and work a VCR. Birthplace: Xi’an, China. Organization: Xi’an Famous Foods. Title: Chief Executive. Alma mater: Washington University in St. Louis. Languages spoken: English, Chinese (Mandarin).
Current project: Taking our Xi’an Famous Foods restaurants to other cities for the first time. Recent professional development: Contributed to various charitable organizations, including those focused on supporting education and mentorship of underprivileged immigrant youth. Hobbies: Treasure hunting for fossils and gemstones. I dreamed of becoming someone like Indiana Jones one day. Recent travel or adventure: The most exhilarating trip that I’ve ever been on was my trip to Antarctica and the South Pole. Everything was unreal. Recent unique acquisition: I am a collector of Chinese antiques, and I’ve been acquiring pottery, ceramic and porcelain pieces at auction.
What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Driven. How do you define a perfect friendship? Available when you need them the most. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Unspoken understanding of give and take. What is your greatest joy? Traveling and treasure hunting. What is your greatest fear? Heights. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Traveling, or for good meals or entertainment. How do you relieve stress? Pet my cats. Play some video games. Go out of town, even if for a day. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Plenty of rest. A vacation should not be hectic.
What was your first paying job? Paperboy for a local newspaper. What was your favorite college course? Consumer Behavior, in business school. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Goldeneye on Nintendo 64. Single player was fun but multiplayer with friends was the best. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Don’t compare yourself to others in better circumstances. Life is unfair and you have to do the best you can with your circumstances. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Stay thirsty (for knowledge). What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? AI and in particular, ChatGPT. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Talking with or listening to other industry folks, traveling to other countries to see how comparable businesses work there.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
Delegating more and spending more time coaching my team vs. just doing everything myself.
What change would you like to see in the world? More direct interaction between people, to foster mutual understanding and to lessen tribalism. What mega-trend most excites you? Seeing how AI can help us advance technology, particularly in the medical research field.
As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An archaeologist. I wanted to be someone who helps uncover ancient secrets and treasures. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Family heirlooms gifted to me by my grandparents. What advice would you give your younger self? You will get older, too, and things that you think mean the world right now, won’t matter at all in the future. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My teenage years. I would adopt a different mindset of focusing more on what’s important.
Personal mission: Dedicated to making sure our business continues to flourish, not just for myself, but for everyone who’s ever supported us. Personal motto: Work hard, play hard.
