We were lucky to catch up with I Min Lin recently and have shared our conversation below.

I Min, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I started as a manager at a hot pot restaurant in Chinatown. I noticed a real lack of authentic Taiwanese flavors in Chicago, so I created Hello Jasmine. We specialize in high-quality bubble tea and street food like popcorn chicken and large cutlets. More than just food, I want people to feel the warmth of Taiwanese hospitality. Our name comes from a friendly ‘Hello,’ and ‘Jasmine’ represents both our signature green tea and our founder’s name.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

In 2016, the hardest part was the logistics. There were no local suppliers, so we had to ship everything in containers directly from Taiwan. I remember after buying our equipment, we had just enough money left for next month’s rent. To save every penny, we didn’t eat out at all for a whole year; we cooked every meal at home. There were no shortcuts—just sacrifice and the drive to bring real Taiwanese flavors to the city.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Our first year was the ultimate test of resilience. We put everything into shipping quality ingredients from Taiwan and had zero backup. Living on a tight budget and cooking every meal at home while watching our bank account hit rock bottom was stressful. But we never compromised; we refused to use cheap, artificial powders just to save money. Staying true to our quality when things were at their toughest is exactly why we are still here today.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In Chicago’s fast-paced office culture, people often settle for cold sandwiches or poke bowls. Our hot Bento boxes stand out—they’re a warm comfort in a simple craft paper box. We source key ingredients from Taiwan to keep it real and focus on high-protein, balanced meals. You’ll taste the layers of sweet, sour, and savory—and if you have a sharp palate, you’ll even notice the smoky hit from our grilled tofu. It’s not just a lunch; it’s a warm, authentic experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hellojasmineus.com
• Instagram: Hellojasmine.us