We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shanya Tsai. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shanya below.

Shanya, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

At HangRr, our mission is to create a tech-empowered fashion community that enables people to feel good about what they wear every day, with a focus on sustainability, individuality, and accessibility. This mission is deeply personal to me because of my journey as an immigrant navigating a new culture and trying to find confidence in self-expression through style. After moving to New York City from Taiwan, I experienced the challenge of building a wardrobe on a budget without guidance. I realized many others face similar struggles in finding their style identity in a sustainable way, especially when bombarded by fast fashion trends and limited resources for genuine style advice.

HangRr is about bridging that gap and making it accessible for everyone to create a wardrobe they feel proud of, without overspending or wasting. It’s meaningful because it’s not just about the clothes—it’s about self-expression, confidence, and building a sense of identity in a supportive community. Through HangRr, I hope to offer people the confidence and clarity I gained through years of trial and error. We empower users with AI-driven outfit inspiration and guidance, reducing the time and cost to look and feel their best while also promoting sustainable choices. In short, our mission is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to feel good in their own skin and style, and we want to make that journey accessible, fulfilling, and sustainable for all.

Shanya, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Shanya Tsai, and I’m the founder of HangRr, an AI-powered personal wardrobe styling service that connects people with a daily resource for personalized outfit inspiration, styling advice, and sustainable wardrobe solutions. My journey into this industry is shaped by my experiences as an immigrant in New York City. When I moved from Taiwan, I quickly felt the pressure of trying to fit into a fast-paced fashion culture. Without the guidance or resources to express myself confidently through style, I struggled to feel empowered by my wardrobe. This challenge planted the seed that eventually became HangRr.

After spending years as a digital marketing manager in eCommerce, I saw a significant opportunity in combining technology and personal styling to serve people who, like me, seek genuine style advice without the typical high costs and time commitments. With HangRr, we provide 24/7 personal wardrobe styling tips and outfit ideas through our AI stylist, Rayna, along with the chance to learn how to make smarter, budget-friendly wardrobe choices. We serve busy professionals, boutique owners, and anyone who wants to improve their style but may not know where to start. Our app helps users make sustainable choices by guiding them to build capsule wardrobes, use what they have effectively, and make thoughtful purchases.

What sets HangRr apart is our commitment to blending technology and human creativity in a community-centered platform. Instead of following the fast fashion trend cycle, we focus on a “less is more” approach, helping clients curate a wardrobe that suits their life goals and sense of self. We’re building a global community where everyone can embrace their unique style, regardless of their budget, body type, or personal challenges.

One of my proudest achievements has been signing up boutiques during the pandemic, a challenging time for small businesses everywhere. Through hard work, bootstrapping, and unwavering commitment, I was able to form partnerships that allowed HangRr to grow even under difficult circumstances.

To anyone new to HangRr, I want them to know that we’re more than a styling app—we’re a movement that believes in the power of self-expression, sustainability, and community. HangRr is here to help you create a wardrobe that truly reflects who you are, empowers you to feel your best, and makes getting dressed an enjoyable, meaningful experience. Whether it’s discovering an outfit idea for an important event or building a wardrobe that stands the test of time, we’re here to make style accessible, effortless, and impactful for everyone.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

In my journey of building a tech-driven personal styling service, I had to unlearn a lesson that is often emphasized in business school and popular media: the traditional, top-down model of leadership for CEOs and founders. Initially, I carried the mindset that a leader primarily directs from above, setting visions and delegating tasks. However, as I built HangRr—a community-centered business aimed at supporting both customers and boutique partners, many of whom face financial constraints—I realized that this approach didn’t align with the values or needs of the community I wanted to serve.

I learned that true leadership, especially in a mission-driven startup, means being on the frontline, actively listening to customers, and working alongside them with humility. Rather than leading from above, I found myself learning from my customers and partners, understanding their challenges, and finding ways to serve them better. This mindset shift, moving from a hierarchical to a service-oriented approach, has been transformative. It has made me more resilient, more adaptable, and more committed to the success of HangRr—not just as a business, but as a community that genuinely meets people where they are.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Two resources that have profoundly shaped my approach to entrepreneurship are the podcast Mosaic by Erwin McManus and the ESPN TV show In the Arena: Serena Williams. Both highlight a core philosophy that has become essential to my own journey: the importance of showing up every day, no matter how you feel. As a sole startup founder, especially, this consistency is crucial. Building HangRr requires me to wear many different hats and keep pushing forward, even on days when the path ahead feels challenging.

The philosophy I embrace in building HangRr is similar to what most professional tennis players, like Serena, likely carry: keep moving, be ready for every opportunity, and patiently wait for the crucial moment to win. I’ve learned that progress often comes not in leaps, but through small, steady steps, driven by a deep belief that my startup’s impact is far greater than myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hangrr.app
• Instagram: hangrr.app
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanyatsai/