Grace Huang

What do you do professionally?

I’m running my own CPG startup by launching WAN Cosmetics in Oct this year. WAN Cosmetics is a green beauty brand aiming to provide smart and efficient skincare solutions for consumers to embrace their lifestyle.

What is the most enjoyable part of your job?

The most enjoyable part is I get to know lots of talented entrepreneurs in the Bay Area who are passionate about making our world a better place. Exchanging thoughts and ideas; pitching to investors are other parts I enjoy as you learn reactions and feedback to strive the business further.

What is the biggest challenge you face?

Driving sales is the biggest challenge at the moment as sheet mask is not a popular skincare routine to most consumers, however we are developing unconventional channels to boost the awareness and availability level of WAN Cosmetics.

What sorts of interesting places has your position taken you? Do you have a favorite?

I reallocate to San Francisco this summer for my startup and have been living in downtown SF and San Mateo couple of months respectively. I enjoy San Mateo a lot as the weather is great, food is awesome plus it’s so convenient to travel all over the Bay Area from north to south. To me, the greatest thing of being physically in the Bay Area is to embrace the entrepreneurship in a way that no other place in the world can compete with. Surrounded by lots of energy and creativities, you get excited every morning and eager to strive out the best of you on the business.

What is the best professional advice you’ve received?

"Shaping the company culture at Day 1 when the business starts will be the key foundation of your business," from the founder of MapMyRun, Robin Thurston. Throughout the process of meeting potential business partners and looking for a co-founder, what people care about most is the core value of our company. What you believe, what you do, and how to make social impact in a meaningful way will determine the scale of the company growing momentum. I used to deprioritize company culture until I found most people care more about it than the brand and products.  

Aside from your current role, what is your dream job?

I’ve been thinking about devoting myself to a nonprofit organization developing the wellness of children and women in need.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Spontaneous road trips and writing are two things I enjoy in my spare time. Driving without specific destinations is intriguing to me as I don’t plan and think too much but just drive.    

What is the most important thing you learned during your time at Fuqua?

Engagement – to connect with people regardless of various backgrounds and to participate as much as possible. Often I found it was hard to balance study with extra curriculum, however our MBA training at Fuqua was not academic driven but more at overall leadership forming. The more I engaged with Fuqua happenings, the more I learned how to naturally getting involved in the world commercial environment.

Who was your favorite professor?

It’s hard to pick just one. Among many excellent professors I adore, I’d like to point out my appreciation to professor Simon Gervais for enlightening my world of finance. By applying case studies and plain language, it took me by surprise that finance became one of my favorite courses post MBA. I’m so glad to have his course in my last term as finance plays such an important role in the startup world.

What is your favorite Fuqua memory?

Traveling to meet the cohort! In cross continent MBA and you don’t see your classmates everyday, but I got so excited every time when I traveled to meet them. The feeling of excitement is beyond words; I love my teams and I love Fuqua faculty!

What does Team Fuqua mean to you?

My agent of shield around the world. Meeting Fuqua alumni, it’s like meeting your old friends and they’re all over the world. For the past 3 years, I hosted Fuqua Around the World in Taipei, Taiwan. I got to meet lots of new alumni and it was always easy for us to get along together. We connect and help each other when it’s needed especially that I’m now in my startup. Team Fuqua really means a fantastic global network helping me and guiding me.