Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaja Chen

Hi Jaja, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

I [Jaja Chen] was born in Norman, OK, and grew up as a 2nd generation Taiwanese American there. My family’s move to China and Taiwan during my middle and high school years profoundly shaped who I am today and deepened my love for boba tea (Taiwan being the motherland of boba), tea culture, and authentic Chinese and Taiwanese cuisine. It also allowed me to reconnect with my cultural roots and understand the power of how food and tea bring people together. Returning to the U.S., I pursued a degree in social work at Baylor University and went on to work as a trauma therapist/clinical social worker in nonprofit and counseling center settings, while my husband, Devin Li, worked as an engineer and high school teacher.

Both of us were dedicated helping professionals before we ventured into small business. As Asian Americans in Waco, TX, where the Asian population was less than 2% at the time, we struggled to find the foods and drinks we grew up cherishing. Devin, a Chinese immigrant, deeply resonated with my cultural roots and background, and together we were inspired to create Cha Community boba tea cafe (at the time called “Waco Cha”). We started up as a pop-up tent at the Waco Downtown Farmer’s Market and eventually grew to a mobile tea truck and now storefronts in both downtown Waco and downtown Temple, Texas.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

The journey as a small business has certainly not been smooth. One of our biggest challenges was operating as a pop-up tent for an entire year, braving both rain and shine while bootstrapping our business from the ground up. Being an Asian American-owned business in a community where 2% of the population shares our background presented its own set of hurdles, particularly in educating people about boba tea and Taiwanese cuisine. When we first starting up our business 6 years ago, not as many people were familiar with what boba tea and Taiwanese food was. A lot of the initial process in our business was providing community education and samples.

Our first storefront opened in 2020 in Waco, TX, right in the midst of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We had not anticipated this challenge at all when we decided to grow our business to a storefront space. Navigating pandemic policies while trying to scale our business proved to be a significant challenge. We had to quickly adapt to evolving health and safety regulations while ensuring that we continued operating our small business. Additionally, the loss of catering event sales pushed us to pivot and add food offerings to our menu to meet the needs of our team and guests. The pandemic was an immense struggle for many in the food and beverage industry, forcing many to rethink their operations. Thankfully, our experience with food trucks and pop-ups provided us with a solid foundation for this transition. I often say that we were a scrappy start-up at the time so that helped us navigating all the changes.

Our commitment to celebrating our cultural heritage and serving our community has driven us forward and helped us to continue recover and grow since the pandemic. With the support of our community, we not only weathered the pandemic but have continued to grow and thrive since then.

We’ve been impressed with Cha Community , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Cha Community’s mission is to bridge cultures and create community through premium boba tea, pan-fried dumplings, and authentic Taiwanese and Chinese food. Founded by Devin Li, a Chinese immigrant, and myself [Jaja Chen], a second-generation Taiwanese American, we are committed to celebrating Asian culture in Waco, TX, where representation is limited. Our core values of community, diversity, and courage guide our work, and we take pride in being an Asian American, immigrant, and woman-owned business.

Our passion for Asian fusion options is evidence in our diverse menu, which features high-quality boba teas made with loose-leaf tea and real milk, alongside dairy-free options, and nourishing fast-casual Taiwanese and Chinese dishes like pan-fried dumplings, steamed buns, and Taiwanese braised pork over rice. We are dedicated to sustainability, offering in-store reusable drinkware and biodegradable straws and avoiding artificial creamer powders in favor of quality ingredients for our milk teas and drinks, and also implementing sustainable practices in our small business. We also prioritize sourcing from BIPOC-owned businesses and artists, further reflecting our commitment to diversity and support for fellow small businesses. We are proud of our collaboration with BIPOC-owned small businesses through our suppliers, retail merchandise, and bi-annual BIPOC makers handmade markets that we host at our shops.

Community is central to our brand. We strive to create a welcoming space for people from all backgrounds to enjoy great food and learn about Asian traditions. With a team that is 95% BIPOC, we foster an inclusive environment and offer growth opportunities for our team. For example, our managers all started as entry-level cha-ristas in our team. Our resilience, demonstrated by operating through extreme weather and navigating the pandemic, highlights our dedication to the community. And through our food trucks and catering services, we’ve been able to continue offering our boba tea bar experiences and food menu in the community at events – large and small .

Beyond our cafe and food truck pop-ups, we founded the Asian Leaders Network, a nonprofit that co-creates Asian community, culture, and arts in Waco. Through events like the Lunar New Year market in collaboration with the Waco Downtown Farmer’s Market and the upcoming Diwali festival, we seek to increase Asian representation and celebrate diverse Asian heritages.

Cha Community is not just a boba tea cafe, but a vibrant cultural hub where connections and celebrations thrive. We invite readers and guests to experience our space as a place where community and culture come together. We can’t wait to continue growing our small business. This fall 2024, we are launching our new shop in Waco, TX on 8th Street across from Baylor University campus at the former UPS shop. This collaborative shop with Norma’s Florals, a local Latina-owned floral small business, will be part-floral boutique and part-boba tea bar. We cannot wait and invite guests to continue follow our small business journey through our social media channels!

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?

One surprising aspect that many people might not know about me is that my background as a trauma therapist and clinical social worker profoundly influences our work at Cha Community. This experience shapes our commitment to supporting local nonprofits, raising awareness about BIPOC-owned small businesses, and fostering sustainable practices. My approach to business is deeply rooted in the principles of community and being a values-based business. Integrating these principles into our business helps us create a space that is not only about the products but also genuinely supportive of our community’s diverse needs and well-being.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chacommunity.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/cha_community
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChaCommunity1/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cha_community

Image Credits

Pan-Fried Dumplings Photo – Michael Cirlos
Green Temple Shop with Guests Photo – Aisley Ransleben
Cha Community BIPOC Market Photo – Frankie Montelongo
Cha Community Rebrand Shop Guest Photo – Dominic VIlla