Meet Daphne Chen | Designer

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

Hi Daphne, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I often share that I stumbled into entrepreneurship almost by accident. In fact, I never aspired to be a business owner.

Growing up as a first-generation immigrant in LA after my family moved from Taiwan in the ’90s, I had a passion for drawing. I was lucky to have non-traditional parents and seeing how much I enjoyed sketching, actively encouraged me to be a fashion designer. After attending FIDM, my journey began in 2007, taking me from small boutiques to major fashion hubs in LA, NYC, and even Shanghai.

The turning point came when, despite my success as a Senior Designer, I faced an unexpected layoff. A Creative Director declared, ‘You’re a great designer, but that’s all you are. You’ll never be a leader.’ It was a perplexing setback; I was behind the company’s best-selling styles, yet faced demotion. I later found out that the reason why she wanted to force me out was so that she could hire her friend in my position. That experience revealed the harsh reality – no matter your contributions, you can be replaced instantly.

While still working, I channeled my frustration into designing things that I was personally looking for but didn’t see in the market. My design ethos Combining a minimalist aesthetic with modern functionality, my focus was on creating bags that could transition seamlessly from work to play. While traveling to Asia for work, I needed to pack several bags which took up so much luggage space, so I created a handbag that can carry a laptop and convert it into a backpack. The idea came to me while I was trekking up one of the winding streets in Soho, Hong Kong. I needed a good-looking bag, check. Outer pockets with easy access for quick sips while walking, check. Pockets for all of my tech gadgets and belongings, check and check.

I quickly began sketching and reaching out to manufacturers to take on this personal project. After a few prototypes, I had a final sample to work with. With no investor help, I launched my idea on a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter in 2018 to bring my vision to life. The positive response was overwhelming, and it felt great confirming I was on the right path for my ideas.

Since then I’ve designed a small yet mighty collection of form-meet-function work and travel bags that convert to backpacks, featuring a ton of pockets that help keep organized to go from work to weekends and brunch to boardroom effortlessly. My designs are made with slow fashion in mind and made with luxurious materials that are long lasting. I’m very excited to share that I am currently working on a full clothing collection, including dressy denim made of the softest fabrics to go back to my denim design roots.

Reflecting on my journey, I’d say that being stuck in a bad situation made me step out of my comfort zone and do the damn thing. If I think about it, it’s what I’ve always been doing but now I’m designing for myself and making the final decisions and not listening to bozo bosses feels amazing. I made so many mistakes along the way, which I look at as tuition fees in entrepreneurial education.

Owning a business is a double-edged sword. The responsibility for everything and worrying about funding can be burdensome, but the flexibility to raise my daughter and invest time in what truly matters is priceless. Stepping out of my comfort zone and taking charge of my destiny has been an empowering and liberating journey, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
As an AAPI female founder and designer, I strive to design with intention with products that are aesthetically pleasing and functional. I’m most proud that my products have been featured organically in Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, and Buzzfeed consistently thanks to female editors who have been incredibly supportive.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Best place to shop – Row DTLA and Abbot Kinney Venice Beach

Great place to eat – Sawtelle

Place I’ve always wanted to see – BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to the California Yuan Yung Buddhism Center, which is open to all and has provided me with calmness and skills to cope when life seems incredibly difficult.

Website: www.pondla.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pondlosangeles/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daphnechen8/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pondlosangeles

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pondlosangeles1068