I’ve been blessed with so much that I secretly worry I’ve used up all the luck and love that one can possibly be granted in a lifetime. This book was just another gift from God, and it wouldn’t have been possible had I not been surrounded by so many talented and genuine people. Words cannot express my gratitude, but I will try my best here.
First, I’d like to thank my best friend, husband, and Soko Glam cofounder, David Cho, who has supported my dream and vision since day one and has worked tirelessly to make the company what it is today. Without you, Soko Glam would have only been a “what if.” Thanks for being there to give me pep talks whenever I needed one and for driving Soko Glam forward with the leadership you were born with. I’m so glad we’re in this together.
Hong Sung-il Sangmoonim, there are few people in this world like you and I’m glad you were the one who walked into the meeting room my first day at Samsung. From the depths of my heart, thank you for your wisdom and for believing in me.
To Catherine Cho and Erin Niumata, for reading my words and seeing that I had a book in me—and then making the process so enjoyable! For all of this and more, I am eternally grateful.
Thank you to Jessamine Chen, for telling me to dream big when I needed to hear it, and to Jodi Kantor, who set me on the right path.
To Cassie Jones, my editor at HarperCollins—I knew from the moment I met you that the book would be in good hands with you. Needless to say, you exceeded my expectations a hundred times over.
To Gemma Correll, the most clever illustrator and artist around. The world needs more artists like you. Thank you for going above and beyond every time—your illustrations made the book better than I had even imagined.
To my dream editor, Kate Williams. Thank you for lending your wit, sass, and eloquence and for being by my side every step of the way. When you gave me the green light, I pinched myself because it was too good to be true. I simply couldn’t have done it without you.
To all the people who were kind enough to share their experiences through such insightful interviews: Young Ah Kim, Soo Joo Park, India-Jewel Jackson, Kim Ju Won, Yeon-seo Oh, Paul Kang, Son Dae Sik, and Jenn Im.
To the other key people who helped make this book possible: Bradley Horowitz, Brian Lee, Don Kim, Yoo Hye Yun, Janet Kim, Lee Sang-Jun, Shawn Kim, Kim Chung Kyung, Lee Jung Won, and Lee Hee-Kyeong.
It’s with a thankful heart that I mention the friends who have supported me along the way, especially when Soko Glam was just a dinky website and an apartment filled with Korean beauty products: Vickie Chang, Christine Chen, Jackie Chen, Annie Cheng, James Cho, Hellen Choo, Jeffrey Chou, Emily Cleghorn, CEO Han Ho Lee, Yun Ah Lee, Jay Koo, Angie Lee, Annie Tomlin, Slava Druker, Stephanie Sherline, David Moretti, Ryan Browne, Tiffany J. Davis, Sheryll Donerson, Bob Dorf, Anne-Marie Guarnieri, Sara Hayden, Carolyn Hsu, Tae Jo, Robert Joe, Don Kim, Tay Kim, Erika Kindsfather, Helen Koo, Alvin Lee, Teresa Lu, Coco Park, Caitlin Petrecik, Phillip Picardi, Mark and Myoung-bin Ro, Yaeri Song, Kerry Thompson, Danny Tomita, Driely Vieria, Juliana Wang, Cheryl Wischhover, Annie Won, Diana Xiao, and Kim Yoon-jin. Of course, I can’t forget my colleagues at Samsung, who made me feel right at home, and Dave and I can’t forget all our friends from Columbia Business School.
As expressed in my dedication and throughout the book, I thank my father, Lee Ki Chul, and mother, Lee Sang Ran, both of whom taught me the meaning of hard work and sacrifice. Their unconditional love granted me the freedom to pursue my dreams and experience more than I could have ever imagined in both the United States and Korea. To my mother-in-law, Nancy Cho, who taught Dave about skin care at an early age and was our biggest supporter (and customer). To my unni, Michelle Yoon, who is truly beautiful inside and out—thank you for letting me tag along to all those Kpop concerts in the 1990s. To my dongsaeng, Brian Lee, who is the most honest and considerate man I know. Special thanks to Kim Yong Bae and Lee Myung Ok and family, who showed me jeong and treated me as their own. Kim Min Young, thanks for sharing your world and always wanting the best for me.
My deepest thanks to our Soko Glam customers—for sharing our passion for Korean beauty and for making all of this possible. Lastly, to South Korea and America, for giving me the opportunity and the inspiration to build something out of nothing.