05/29/2025
In 2023, I finally met our small team in person, including a few wonderfully multi-talented part-timers based in Manila! Gerald, whose creative genius transforms every photoshoot into art and captures stunning photography too. Nasia, whose social media magic helps our community feel warmth behind every post while showcasing her incredible styling talents. Kara, who builds bridges through our outreach programs with such dedication and bubbling personality—and happens to be a talented standup comedian! And here in NYC, Rose (Pic 7) has been a tremendous asset to the team, with customers constantly praising her excellent customer service that makes every interaction feel personal and caring. After years of online interactions, sharing the same space with our Manila team felt like the most beautiful family reunion.
Our adventures painted Manila in vibrant colors: cycling through city streets, pottery lessons that taught us the art of letting go of perfection and control, morning jogs through BGC, and pilates sessions that reminded us why self-care isn't selfish—it's essential. We even squeezed photoshoots to take advantage of what the city and team work has to offer (Pic 2-6)!
We also had a breakthrough in materials—bamboo. 🎋 Bamboo is a regenerative plant that requires minimal water and no pesticides to grow. It comes with natural antimicrobial properties and transforms into something that rivals traditional leather. Our patient factory partners dove headfirst into another round of innovation testing. New materials always mean starting from zero—testing glues, patterns, stitching, production temperatures. Whether making 10 pairs or 10,000, the development process demands the same meticulous attention. This bamboo breakthrough became our new Dian Block Heel collection!
I got many requests for flats that were timeless and comfortable while also being vegan. After years of development, we finally launched the Indra flats. The materials are made from recycled materials and Tencel to minimize our footprint. We evolved our "V for versatility" philosophy—one pair should feel like multiple pairs. This led to two stunning shoe clips: the bold heartbeat clip for statement moments, and sophisticated pearl clips for elegant occasions. We couldn't resist adding pop colors to our bestselling Frida either—pink arrived just as Barbie fever swept the world, while white answered our sustainable vegan brides' prayers. All crafted from recycled materials, naturally!
Returning to our factory in Dongguan, China felt like coming full circle. Watching it grow from a small workshop to a thriving operation with over 20 skilled craftsmen impressed me deeply (Pic 14). However, one of my most treasured memories is that 10K run through Qifeng Park with the factory owner Kevin and the team (Pic 15-16). Kevin had even started a friendly step competition among workers and was developing wellness programs. When I committed to contributing to their workout competition prize, it wasn't just about fitness—it was celebrating health, the foundation of everything we do!
Being Taiwanese, I'm often asked about the ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan. But after years of traveling back and forth, and working closely with our partners, I've met some of the most caring and hardworking people on both sides. We share a commitment to excellence, family values, healthy well-being, and a desire for peace. I truly hope that our shared aspirations will continue to bring us together, rather than divide us.
I continued encouraging our team (and myself!) to sign up for races—not for performance, but to complete, improve, and have fun along the way. Then life taught me one of its most profound lessons through a cycling crash while training for my half-Ironman distance triathlon. The fractured collarbone and minor concussion were painful, but what struck me deepest was overwhelming gratitude—for health, family support, and love during recovery.
That accident became an unexpected gift of perspective. It made me question how I spend precious time and whether I'm truly making the best of this beautiful life. I found myself reflecting deeply on VEERAH's future, realizing that sometimes the strongest thing you can do isn't holding on for momentum—it's having courage to let go when your heart calls you elsewhere. Life taught me that being true to yourself matters more than meeting others' expectations. Sometimes our greatest challenges become our most important teachers. 💜✨️
