Starting from Zero: Jenny Jing Zhu's Journey from Village Girl to $100M CEO
A Guide to Growing Beyond Your Circumstances
From a tiny Chinese village without electricity to launching a $100 million home décor empire, Jenny Jing Zhu's story is a masterclass in turning limited resources into limitless possibilities.
As the founder and chairwoman of Lush Decor Home, Jenny transformed herself from a hotel maid in Beijing to a powerhouse entrepreneur in America, while learning english alongside the toddler she was caring for as a nanny.
Jenny's path came with plenty of dramatic setbacks. After launching Lush Decor, she was betrayed by a business partner who tried to force her out of her company. But rather than letting this experience destroy her courage, Jenny used it to create an exceptionally diverse and empathetic company culture. Today, Lush Decor operates like a "United Nations," with team members speaking 11 different languages and representing multiple generations of immigrants.
Now, Jenny's story has inspired both a memoir, Dream Weaver, and a short film that recently premiered at the Venice Film Festival. In this powerful conversation on The Uplifters Podcast, you’ll learn the mindset strategies she uses to overcome challenges and grow in the face of obstacles.
When I first arrived in the United States, I was overwhelmed. I was a young woman from a small village in China, suddenly thrust into a world that felt completely foreign. I didn’t speak the language, I didn’t understand the culture, and I felt utterly alone. But even in those moments of doubt, I held tightly onto my dreams.
My dreams became my guiding light, the driving force that pushed me to face every challenge head-on. There were countless moments when I questioned if I had what it took to build a life here. I took on jobs I had no experience in, navigated a new country with nothing but a dream, and faced uncertainty with no guarantee of success. But I refused to let go of the vision I had for my future.
With every step, I reminded myself that each obstacle was a lesson, an opportunity to learn and grow stronger. I began to see every challenge as a thread I could weave into the tapestry of my life—threads of passion, grit, and determination. Together, they created a safety net that caught me every time I stumbled.
What I want you to know is this: Hold onto your dreams. Let them be your anchor and your motivation. Use them to propel you forward, even when the path seems unclear or daunting. If you can keep your dreams in sight, they will give you the strength to face any challenge and the courage to turn obstacles into opportunities.
If I can make it through those difficult times—feeling lost in a new city, struggling to find my footing, and building my dream from the ground up—so can you. Your dreams are the fuel that will keep you moving forward.
Every challenge you face is an opportunity to discover your strength and turn your dreams into reality. You have the power within you to shape your future, no matter how insurmountable the obstacles might seem. Believe in your dreams, believe in your ability to overcome, and know that you’re not alone on this journey.
If I could find my way and make my dreams a reality, I know you can too. Keep dreaming, keep striving, and never lose sight of the beautiful life you are capable of creating.
5 Key Uplifting Lessons:
1. Don't wait for perfect conditions – sometimes you just have to leap and trust you'll figure things out along the way
2. When self-doubt creeps in, respond with action rather than overthinking
3. Forgiveness, especially of yourself, is not weakness – it's the key to moving forward
4. You can't pour from an empty cup – self-care isn't selfish, it's essential for sustained leadership
5. True success isn't about money or power, but about creating relationships that help everyone become better versions of themselves
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The Uplifters’ Web
This week’s opening is by the wonderful Kyia Downing.
Let’s keep rising higher together.
💓 Aransas
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