A couple of weeks ago, I decided to seriously explore an idea that’s been lingering in the back of my mind: opening a teahouse. It all started a few months ago when I visited Tea at Shiloh in downtown LA. The space was breathtaking—calm, intentional, and full of energy that made you want to stay and savor every moment.
I remember thinking, Why isn’t there a place like this in Austin? The vibe, the aesthetic—everything about it screamed Austin to me. My friend who introduced me to the space even suggested reaching out to Tea at Shiloh about a potential franchising opportunity.
For months, I waited to act on this idea. The reason? My visa situation. As an international student-turned-professional, I’ve spent years navigating the constraints of staying in the U.S. After graduating, I relied on my OPT, which is set to expire on June 30, 2025. I didn’t get an H-1B visa, and for a long time, I honestly didn’t know if I would even be able to stay in the U.S. much longer. My career decisions were driven more by practicality than passion.
When I chose marketing for my master’s degree, it wasn’t because I loved it—it was the next logical step from my film background, and it granted me a STEM degree that extended my visa eligibility. To secure my future, I pivoted to data science, spending countless hours studying and upskilling. Eventually, I landed a role as a marketing data scientist—a title I was proud of at the time.
I thought having a “cool” job at a “cool” company would make me feel accomplished, even fulfilled. And for a while, it did. I loved telling people what I did and basked in the recognition it brought. But as time went on, that sense of pride wore off.
Two years into the job, I realized I wasn’t happy. The constant changes at the company, the lack of growth opportunities, and most importantly, my own disinterest in the work left me feeling empty. I blame myself, too—I never advocated for more because, deep down, I didn’t care about the work.
For so long, I felt stuck in this cycle: I don’t like my job; I want a new job. But every time I considered making a change, my negative thoughts would hold me back: I’m not good enough. I’ll fail the coding exams. I’m a fake data scientist. These doubts kept me paralyzed, and I stayed where I was, too unmotivated to push myself toward something new.
In search of meaning, I poured myself into hobbies: triathlon training, freediving, traveling, music festivals, and more. But no matter how much joy these brought, they couldn’t fill the void of spending eight hours a day doing something that felt meaningless. I didn’t want to dedicate my time to helping a corporation make more money, especially when it didn’t align with my values.
Then came December 2024, and everything changed. My parents decided to support me in applying for an EB-5 investment visa, a move that would give me the freedom to work in the U.S. on my terms. For the first time in years, I wasn’t bound by a job for survival. I could finally do something that speaks true to me.
That’s when I realized: this is my chance. The teahouse idea that had been quietly waiting in the back of my mind suddenly felt possible. I could create something beautiful, just like Tea at Shiloh, but make it my own. Something that brings people together, fosters a sense of peace, and fills the void I’ve felt for so long.
And so, here I am, documenting the beginning of this journey. I don’t know where it will lead or what obstacles I’ll face, but I know one thing: it’s time to take a leap of faith, step out of my comfort zone, and create something meaningful.