CELEBRATING AAPI Heritage Month - Spotlighting DIANA ARK CHEN - Founder and CEO of BUBLUV
It was Plato who said, "Necessity is the mother of invention" - and that is what happened with Diana Ark Chen was looking for a healthier version of the beloved boba drink. When there wasn't one on the market, she used her Wharton School Ivy League knowledge plus over a decade in marketing and new product development for some of the biggest brands in food like Green Giant and founded BUBLUV.
BUBLUV is the first and only no added sugar, 50 calorie or less, nothing artificial and ready to drink boba. They launched in April 2022 and these drinks are ready to keep in your pantry or refrigerator!
I came across her viral Tiktok video (2 Million views) that she made in 2021, and was instantly intrigued to learn more about her journey and process and watched her along the way to the launch of getting this product into the marketplace. When I reached out to do this spotlight, I didn’t realize her extensive background marketing and new product development for brands with household names - and I’m excited for you to learn more about her and be completely inspired!
I also ordered a case of the BUBLUV Milk Tea and it did not disappoint, it is exactly as she promised, a light and refreshing alternative to the sugar Boba drinks out there. I even was surprised that after hours sitting on my counter when I was half way done, the boba balls were not slimy and held on to the same texture. These spotlights are not sponsored, and I happily pay full price knowing how important each transaction is when we are all starting out. You can get your case of BUBLVU here!
Here’s my interview with Diane Ark Chen.
Q:What part of Asia does your family descend from and let us know your lineage!
DIANA ARK CHEN: I'm first generation on my Mom's side (she's from Hong Kong) and 4th generation from my Dad's side (his family is from China). Apparently according to 23 and me, I am also 6% Hawaiian! (My dad's family immigrated from China to Hawaii)
Q: Tell us about your upbringing, where your parents very strict for instance? Were you pressured to study what they wanted or did you feel you had freedom to do what you wanted?
DIANA ARK CHEN:I was very fortunate to have the freedom to do what I wanted. I was a goody two shoes growing up, so that's probably why. I was also very self-motivated and self-disciplined as a kid. I wanted to be like my Mom and go to an Ivy League school, so I worked hard to get there. My parents were also super supportive for me trying every activity under the sun until I found what I loved to do. It was my mom's mission to expose me to all the opportunities she never had growing up in Hong Kong. So she signed me up for all sorts of things - sports camps (lacrosse, basketball, tennis, fencing, softball), arts and crafts (sewing, painting, teddy-bear making), dance (ballet, tap, and jazz), girl scouts, etc. Eventually I found what I loved to do - I enjoyed fencing and softball so they encouraged me to pursue both and I eventually went on to play both in college at the Division I level, while attending my dream school - The Wharton School, at the University of Pennsylvania (where my Mom went!)
Q: Share how you got started in doing what you are doing today!
DIANA ARK CHEN: When I was 12, I went with my mom to “Take Your Kids to Work Day” - but I didn’t just sit back and observe what my mom did all day. Instead, we were challenged to invent our very own concept for a beverage, from the ingredients and branding all the way down to the label. I ended up making a blue raspberry sports drink she called “Splurge” - and at the end of the day, they actually created the drink for me to take home. It was in that very moment it “clicked,” and I realized that launching a product was what I wanted to do when I grew up. So it was that experience that drove me to want to go to The Wharton School like my mom (since they're known for business), and shaped my 11+ year career working in marketing and new product development for some of the biggest brands in food like Green Giant. Fast forward 21 years later and I actually launched my own beverage - a first-of-its-kind better-for-you boba alternative. Why Bubble Tea? I fell in love with boba in college but stopped drinking it once I found out how much sugar and calories one cup could have. So I decided to something about it and make a better-for-you alternative. I love boba, I love fitness and food, and I have the professional skillset to launch a new product. So it was the intersection of those three elements, that made me go all in!
Q :Tell us your role there, and what you do and include your favorite business tip/advice:
DIANA ARK CHEN: I am the Founder and CEO of BUBLUV Inc. and we are a New York based start-up on a mission to craft delicious, convenient, better-for-you, Asian-inspired food and beverages. We launched BUBLUV® Bubble Tea in April 2022 - the first ready-to-drink, better-for-you boba alternative that boasts no added sugar, no artificial ingredients, and less than 50 calories per 9.5 oz. bottle. BUBLUV Bubble Tea provides antioxidants (like Vitamin C), is keto-friendly, gluten free and is currently available in three delicious varieties: Black Milk Tea with Tapioca Pearls, Matcha Soy Latte with Tapioca Pearls, and Passionfruit Oolong Guava with Tapioca Pearls. It is the simplest way for consumers to enjoy boba tea at home - no mixing or preparation is required, and it can be easily stored in the refrigerator or pantry. Available now, exclusively on BUBLUV.com
Q: What advice do you have today for your peers who are looking to do what you are doing now?
DIANA ARK CHEN:Try to gain experience in the field you want to disrupt, accept the help from others who offer it, don't be afraid to share your story, and have the courage to go for it. If not now, then when?
Q: A lot of people have a "why" they do what they do, if you have a "why" please share it with us ;)
DIANA ARK CHEN: I love the joy that comes from seeing something I created come to life (again back to that moment when I was 12 and created that sports drink!) and seeing others enjoy it as well. It's so rewarding and exciting and I love speaking to consumers! Also feels great to help people enjoy more boba without the negative health effects of sugar!
Q: How can we support you?
DIANA ARK CHEN: Please check out our BUBLUV Bubble Tea - available now exclusively on bubluv.com Follow us @luv_bubluv or me @dianaarkchen If there are any opportunities to get involved in events (AAPI or non-related to AAPI) partnerships, please get in touch!
Q: If you're like me, you were taught to be very humble. This is NOT the time to be humble, please share sis!! Tell us all the things that make you feel really proud!
DIANA ARK CHEN: I'm proud that I actually took the leap and mustered up the courage to quit my full time job and actually start a company despite the many challenges I faced!
Thank you for your time Diana and best wishes!
You can find Diana Ark Chen on TikTok here
