Meet Ron Chan

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ron Chan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ron, what inspires you?
We are inspired by local brands that go global, not just through physical geographical expansion but also by word of mouth—especially food brands that began and remain rooted in brick-and-mortar spaces. For example, In-N-Out Burger is more than just a burger; it’s a California staple, recognized and craved by people worldwide, even those who have never tasted it. We aspire to achieve the same with Odd One Out—a brand from Taiwan, selling boba, that goes global and becomes genuinely iconic. We want to be more than just bo

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Odd One Out was created to disrupt the boba tea industry. We saw many brands following trends and traditions, so we aimed to be different—innovative and exciting, yet timeless. Our vision was to craft a lifestyle brand with roots in Taiwan and take it global. Our drinks were developed by mixologists in Taiwan during the pandemic, and we source teas from small farms to emphasize quality and creativity. Our store design and hospitality are crafted to exceed the typical boba shop experience.

The journey to open our first shop was long—nearly 1.5 years of planning, perfecting our drinks, and honing our vision. It wasn’t easy, but each challenge strengthened our commitment to creating something truly unique.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When friends visit, the itinerary always starts at In-N-Out—a true California classic and a brand I respect. Santa Monica and Venice are must-sees for their vibrant boardwalks, the 3rd Street Promenade, and Abbot Kinney’s shopping scene. We’d have dinner in Koreatown, where people say the Korean BBQ rivals what you’d find in Korea. And of course, no trip would be complete without some lively street tacos from a local food truck.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to everyone who believed in us and made this journey possible, especially those who put some skin in the game. And to the non-believers—your doubt gave us that chip on our shoulder to prove you wrong and push even harder. Shoutout to our team for the long hours and unwavering commitment to grow this brand from one shop to many. And to our families, who stand by us and work alongside us, knowing this isn’t easy but allowing us to pursue our dreams.

Website: www.oootea.world/us

Instagram: oootea.us

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-chan-3a0822b/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/odd-one-out-tea-santa-monica?osq=odd+one+out

Image Credits
H A N A www.hereandnowagency.com