@@tsurie6634 I think it means that you can't always control the outside world or the outcome of your hard work, by knowing this, you can try to be positive if something doesn't happen or happen to you, you can always try again or try something else.
Small world, this randomly popped up in my feed, clicked on the video, didn't even realise it was about someone I did engineering with in UOA all those years ago. Always nice to see a fellow engineer succeed.
this story really hits home... i just started a full time engineering job this year and have come to the conclusion that it is not what I really want to do. I've started applying to grad schools just because I feel like I need to do something else other than this job since its just that, a job. I have talked with friends and family about wanted to just open a cafe, or bakery, or something where I can appreciate my work better than just hitting some metrics set by my project manager. My parents raised me in a nail salon, and engrained in me that I must pursue a STEM degree or else I will be miserable and overworked the rest of my life, so I went and got my degree but I can't help but feel like working in that nail salon felt better than sitting in an office and gaining weight all day. maybe one day i'll have the courage to make a change in my life like you did!
I get what you’re saying-I feel that way too. It sounds like you’re a very creative person who might like working with their hands. I was also shamed for working odd service jobs at cafes, bakeries, and kitchens-but I always enjoyed making art and crafting, writing, cooking, and gardening-all those things that require your heart, passion, and curiosity and creativity, rather than the skills hard sciences or math require. Thanks for sharing your experience bc it helps me to clarify mine too ❤
@@hawky7644 Hiya, I worked as a consultant for 2 and a half years, and during the last 8 months of that time, I was running Fankery alongside my consulting job. I initially believed I could manage both, but as time went on, I found myself increasingly overwhelmed and drowning. It became clear that while I was in the office, my mind was constantly preoccupied with how I could grow Fankery. Leaving corporate was a difficult decision, especially with financial concerns, but I truly believe that money follows where you put in hard work. Money has never been the primary reason why I run Fankery. I also had an open conversation with my manager at the time, who was aware of my side business. He told me, "Think about it this way: if you left Fankery right now, would it still grow?" Obviously not. "But if you left engineering, this position will always be here. If you ever want to return to corporate, you're more than welcome to come back." I am forever grateful to my manager for his support and words of wisdom. I hope this provides some insight!
Good on you Cathy. You are an inspiration to many of us. You have described a typical asian family where we are very pressured by our parents to achieve what they see is a successful and monetary career.
Kia ora! Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. You're absolutely right, it can difficult to navigate generational differences but my goodness when you see it work its such a blessing.
Yes, what an inspiration. I am not from an Asian family, but I had the same experience. I was told I could choose from three “acceptable careers” in my parents’ eyes. I was told the things I want to do, I could do them on my weekends as a hobby. After 23 years, I have left the profession I hadn’t been interested in. I am now trying to figure out what else to do. Starting one’s own business sounds amazing, and risky. I very much admire your bravery. Congratulations!
Thank you for your lovely comment. It has been a journey with my parents but now they are very supportive and proud to see me growing Fankery and I could not be more happy to have them by my side!
I love that instead of splitting with her family due to ideological differences, she took them along on her journey. That shows both love and maturity. ♥
Thank you for your comment, it speaks a lot to me. Even when things were at their worst, there was nothing more that I wanted than to have them back me up. I am so glad they are now!
yes who doesn’t love parents who love to display their 5 year old child’s supposedly failed attempt to win a children’s competition….. she had more patience than that.
It really takes an understanding family plus guts and courage on the kid to do this, especially in an Asian family. I tried to do this twice so far in my life, and twice I had to compromise heavily towards what my parents wanted, i.e., I failed.
I watched this video almost in tears. Just the fact that you found what you love is a blessing. You are actually DOING it. i know you will never know me but i am very happy for you. I sit here in a life i do not want, running a business which i "thought" was me dream but that is slowly killing me. Watching people like you succeed and happy fills me with hope that maybe i can escape where i am now. Great job and hope things keep getting better for you and your team.
You brought me in tears with your comment omg... THANK YOU! I hope you are doing well in life and I wish you all the blessings, happiness and success !
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in life so far: u have to be FLEXIBLE! If ur plan A doesnt work, then be ready with plan B, plan C, plan D, and so on! Just NEVER STOP and DONT GIVE UP! Sometimes u might need to REST and TAKE A STEP BACK, but NEVER STOP!
Well said! Being adaptable and flexible are very important skills in life, and to not be afraid to fail! If its a thought thats lingering in your mind continuously, don't be afraid to act on it! You never know till you try :) Wish you all the best in life!
Woaaaa Cathy Fan!!! I’m sooo thrilled that RU-vid randomly recommended me this video! I’ve bumped into you several times. We never met personally but “I know” you from Uni. You graduated one year ahead of me. Then you went to WSP and lastly to AECOM. I’m still in the energy business line but wonder for how long 😌😌 watching your video is a breath of fresh air as I can see that we have several things in common: for starters I’m also a perfectionist and grew up excelling in everything I do because it was expected of me. I also like and do bodybuilding (not at competitive level though), but I’ve got several health issues because I overdo it. The. I LOVE baking and in fact, I love cooking in general. This was something I discovered during Uni. It was something that kept me sane apart from the gym. Anyways, it’s good to know that you have found your way. God bless and keep it up 🎉❤🎉
Cathy, no one can live your life and find you your happiness. Thank you for sharing your story so that other young people can learn from your journey. And I would love to try your baked goods one day. 🤤 oh thank you StoryBites for such an inspirational story. 👍🏼
Thank you for sharing this, it was so eerie how similar our stories were. I agree with you, love transcends ❤ thanks for this video and your story,I really enjoyed listening to it.
Women!!! You need something to help you wheel all of your artistic delicious treats!!! Congrats on your success and thank you for sharing your wisdom! God bless! ❤❤❤
Wow definitely ordering one tomorrow. I told my daughter about this, she said “oh yeah the girl from Auckland. I watched her.” I told her Fankery delivers national wide, she goes “can we order?!”
Hey Jun! We will be couriering the cakes out to you tomorrow for Friday arrival. Thank you for watching my story and hope you and your family will enjoy the goods !
This is fusion cuisine. I really wish they mentioned the influences. Namely, the burnt cheese cake comes from the basque region and she added the asian influence. It doesnt take away from her accomplishments . Awesome job!
I Think she understand life. The education is just 4 years in our life. I think we don't have to live in the way of what degree we have. Life is something to be always learn and live in its moment.
This is funny because I'm doing (almost) the exact opposite. I was a chef for 20 years and I left because I hated it, and I'm currently back in college getting a degree in neuroscience.
Great video! I am 55 and life is short. Most people my age are not happy with their careers. Tired of the corporate BS. Do what makes you happy. ;-). Asians are known for being high achievers. Glad you are happy doll...
What an inspiring cool person :) well done Cathy. Really want to try one of your cheesecakes when I’m next in Auckland. I’ve never been keen on cake, but cheesecake is a whole other story haha. I always had it as my birthday cake and none of my kid mates liked it but all the more for me lol. Also thanks for sharing your story struggling with body image. Hope you’re feeling more comfortable now
Great video and story! I found the music a bit too loud and the speech sound quality low, which made it hard to understand :(. But overall quite nice :)
0:56 - legit you should raise your seat height mate, might help with speed bumps and otherwise :) Not throwing shade either, just hard thing to realize sometimes!
the abuse from asian parents is real. the emotional and mental abuse is very typical. sadly most asians have to grow up with that type of toxicity. good for her for finding her own way.
I always wanted to try a cheese cake, look like that. You just know it better than average, you know? THe texture of the outer most layers, then what it like toward middle of cheese cake. My favorite cheese cake, as a kid, 'Baby Watson.' Mainly because outer work your way toward middle, this progression. It not like one texture, like Sara Lee. I not a big fan of 'hype' cheesecake, in general. Burnt Basque look like art. Actually. More like 'high' art.
Most engineers should quit “engineering” and start engineering solutions to reduce how many man hours go into goods and services that are desired in their economy, like getting rid of green tomatoes by flicking them.
It was my own choice to go uni and study engineering! I also paid all of my tuition fees by myself as NZ has student loans for tertiary education. My parents are very happy for me and supportive in what I do now!
Think about it, I don't know if her major was software engineering. If it is, so called high earning in software development is built on countless unpaid after work learning hours. You need to keep learning new shit like technology and frameworks, giving up most of your social life to keep yourself up to date. And the result is probably 30-50% higher salary to medium income, which is not that high after you pay all the tax. Yeah, I think she made a smart move, fuck SWE.
This describes my Asian-American experience to a T. Being taught feelings don’t matter by the people I love. Later realizing feelings do matter. Even later realizing that even though they were wrong, they still love me.
It takes time to start rediscovering who you are doesn’t it? :) I always see it as we have a place of origin, but eventually as we enter into a sense of self, we honour the past but take on a place of creation in who we are shaping ourselves to be :)
I am speaking on behalf of my parents but I think in their time growing up, they didn't have the opportunity to let feelings get in their way because it was survival or not. Times have changed drastically but its hard to change their thinking from what they have believed in their whole life. But hey, parents are parents, they will love you no matter what. I've had my fair share of ups and downs with them but to be very honest, I am grateful for the arguments I've gone through with them when I took Fankery off the ground because it brought us much closer. We were able to open up and finally communicate about the generational barriers we had between us. I hope you have a loving relationship with your parents ! Thank you for watching my story.
I just came across this while pondering on my life choices after I graduate from my Masters in Medicine, hopefully, after a year --- which I just took because, you guessed it right, I am an Asian programmed into thinking STEM is the only way to success. I love cooking, dancing, and madly attracted to the thought of startups and being able to mentor and teach people. I hope that after I graduate, I get to secure a well-paying job which will help me explore more of my hobbies and passions after the work hours. Soon, just like Cathy, I hope to quit STEM too when I get the right footing and just live my life the way I want it to be --- happily doing things I love most. Thank you for being such an inspiration. Thank you. Thank you for this. More power to you Cathy.
Id love for Cathy to respond to you directly.. but coming from my background in Audiology (before we went all in on StoryBites), the economic security that comes with a profession like medicine is epic. It gave me the freedom to create simply because I wanted to. Keep at it for now and it will nurture a deeper longing and sense of appreciation for being able to create. I really wish you all the best! Stay well :) Justin
Firstly, congratulations on completing your Masters in Medicine! That is incredible. Good luck with all your future ventures, whether that be in medicine or other things you have an interest in, I am sure you will figure it out. Sending you lots of positive energies !!!
I love how you talk about transitioning into the job of your dreams. It’s an approach that takes things one step at a time-like it’s not “all or nothing” which is something I tend to struggle with. Thanks for your comment ❤
What a great vid!! I did engineering and thought I would eventually like it, I got better at my job, at interviews, made good money but it was a waste of my life. I echo your story so hard but I didn't have the courage to do what you did!! Your path is not easy but neither is pretending, losing yourself and living a fake life trying to please everyone else.
It’s a right of passage we can all experience (albeit in different levels of commitment and intensity) :) I encourage you to take a bold step even just from time to time and ask yourself “what would I do today if I knew I couldn’t fail?” :)
Life is an interesting thing. Quite often, you don't know what you want till you do it and realise its not right for you. But you are so very right in trying to fake living your life well when you aren't. I hope you are in a good place in life! x
@@fankery Of course, it's amazing to see your journey from engineering to baking and all the challenges you've overcome! Having grown up in an Asian American household, I can definitely relate to the pressures of following a conventional career path.
@@eatsbyrachel Your channel is so cool! I can imagine the hard work you've done building everything to what it is today. Congratulations! Would love to meet you in person if I ever visit the Bay area one day!
