The Spicy Journey of Hot Pot Queen

Jia Liao , the founder of Hotpot Queen , carries forward a 42-year family legacy in the hot pot industry. Her mother, known as the "Queen of Hot Pot" in China, revolutionized the cuisine by inventing the divided pot that allows diners with different spice preferences to enjoy the meal together. As Jia puts it:

"My mother invented a pot that really revolutionized this industry, and it really helped to spread this regional cuisine into more of a national scale, now a global phenomenon."

Fueling Entrepreneurial Energy

As a mother of two, Jia's morning are hectic but purposeful. She starts her day with an energizing, nutrient-packed coffee:

"I have this really healthy cup of coffee, which is super creamy...I just love to smell a good cup of coffee in the morning and that kind of gets me going."

Three times a week, she also fits in a 45-minute swim before starting work, emphasizing the importance of self-care for entrepreneurs.

Navigating the CPG World

Transitioning from the restaurant industry to consumer packaged goods (CPG) came with a steep learning curve for Jia.

"I really knew nothing about the CPG world...I had to Google, what is the difference between a broker and a distributor?"

Her journey involved numerous challenges, from packaging issues to distribution hurdles. Jia's advice for new entrepreneurs? Plug into supportive communities:

"Definitely kind of like, we'll recommend people to plug into the community. That would be really amazing to get information."

Building a Sustainable Business

Hotpot Queen operates with a lean team, focusing on profitability from day one. Jia emphasizes the importance of keeping costs down and growing organically:

"I think for every small business, we should have profitability in mind at day one. You know, if we're just like, we're just gonna burn cash until year two, you are not going to do that on your own."

She learned to quickly adapt, letting go of a full-time salesperson and opting for a broker instead, which proved more cost-effective for her stage of business.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Like many entrepreneurs, Jia has grappled with self-doubt. She describes a particularly challenging period:

"I almost felt like there was a cloud over my head constantly. No matter how sunny the weather is outside, no matter how much my children are laughing, I couldn't feel that happiness."

Jia found solace in talking to industry veterans who reassured her that her experiences were normal for a growing business.

Milestones and Balance

As Hotpot Queen expands, Jia has clear goals in mind, including reaching major retailers like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Costco. She's already made significant progress.

"We just got into 70 Fresh Thyme stores. We're in The Fresh Market. We are in the review process for Wegmans. So we are kind of on the way there. We are already in 450 stores now offline."

However, she maintains a balanced perspective on growth.

"I'm not chasing for the big VC monies and try to do a big exit. I just feel like going that route, it's like you're constantly chasing the next target. I want to build a profitable business, have really good customer relations, have a small team, and try to stay self-funded as long as possible, and then just enjoy life."

Jia's journey with Hotpot Queen showcases the power of honoring cultural heritage while embracing modern business practices, proving that success can be achieved without sacrificing personal values or work-life balance. Her story is an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those looking to bring their cultural cuisines to a broader market.

Reach Out To Jia: [email protected]

Check Out Hotpot Queen: hotpotqueen.com

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