Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cherin Choi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Cherin, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My mom was always my biggest fan. Her unconditional love and support has given me the confidence and self love needed to be resilient and excited to push through challenges. My mother kept me very busy, from the minute I woke up I was scheduled before and after school. Although some may see this as a typical asian tiger mom schedule, I truly believed that the busyness of it has made me capable of handling a large load of responsibilities.

Cherin, 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 journey to my current career took an unconventional path. As a child, I always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. However, in high school, my aspirations shifted towards attending beauty school. This change in direction deeply affected my Korean immigrant parents, who had hoped I would pursue higher education. Wanting to make them proud, I enrolled in college with the intention of applying to law school. During my undergraduate years, I focused on psychology and early childhood development, driven by my goal to become a Juvenile Public Defender.

I gained valuable experience interning at the Attorney General’s office in Washington DC. Despite this, with the counsel of my cousins and reflecting on my path, I realized that law school wasn’t the right fit for me.

Following graduation, my family faced financial difficulties, prompting me to seek the highest paying job available. This led me to a career in B2B sales for Fortune 500 companies specializing in technology staffing. I worked in this corporate environment for 3.5 years until I experienced a “quarter-life crisis.”

Deciding to embark on a journey, I traveled through Asia and eventually settled in Korea. After teaching third grade in Seoul, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a hairdresser. Reflecting on my journey, I’m grateful for every step that led me here.

Each chapter of my life has shaped who I am today and the service I provide. I am deeply passionate about psychology and enjoy connecting with people. Working with my clients, I strive to offer not only exceptional service but also have those deeper conversations where I can provide support, emotionally as well, this brings me fulfillment on a daily basis.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Oh, good old 2020! I had a salon and a business partner. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we decided to part ways, and I chose to separate from my business. Although it felt difficult and challenging at the time, I am grateful for the outcome. I now enjoy my freedom and the current state of my business. Opening a salon, having a large staff—these experiences taught me valuable lessons about how I approach things and how I would do things now.

I appreciate pivoting back to an independent space. I love the versatility of my industry and I am enjoying the diverse moments it brings.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing people may be the most challenging skill to master as a business owner. Praising the behaviors and attitudes that you want to see will promote the right attitude. Follow your instincts and focus on cultivating the right people. You can teach anyone how to do a skill, but you can’t teach people how to be happy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mizzchoi.com/
• Instagram: @mizzchoi
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mizzCherinChoi/
• Twitter: @mizzchoi