At 15 years old, when many of her peers were focused on securing part-time jobs such as café work to earn some extra money, Kiana Mei's path took a different direction. Encouraged by her father to channel her efforts into launching a business early, Kiana embraced entrepreneurship, an endeavor that has led her to financial independence by the age of 20. Her enterprise, Kiana Mei Designs, started with selling origami butterfly artworks—a craft she acquired on a school trip to Japan and further developed throughout the COVID-19 lockdown period.
By the age of 16, she had introduced her artwork to Melbourne’s market scene, showcasing her unique pieces to local customers. The moment when a customer purchased three of her pieces for a total of $100 marked a pivotal realization for Kiana: her handcrafted goods could successfully generate income. Shortly after, she expanded her product range to include customizable, affordable jewelry, thereby broadening her market appeal.
Balancing full-time education and weekend market stalls until the completion of high school, Kiana excelled academically, achieving top grades in her final year that made her eligible for a wide array of university programs. Instead of pursuing traditional tertiary education immediately, she made a conscious decision to dedicate a year fully to growing her business. Reflecting on her choice, she questioned the relevance of university studies to the hands-on business experience she was acquiring.
Today, Kiana operates a stall at Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market from Tuesday through Sunday. Living independently away from her parents and managing her own finances, she expresses no regrets about her decision to focus on entrepreneurship. Nonetheless, she openly discusses several lessons learned through firsthand experience that she wished she had understood sooner.
Experiencing Isolation in Young Entrepreneurship
Kiana describes the unexpected emotional challenge of isolation as a young business owner. During her school years, she maintained close friendships with peers who shared similar academic interests. However, as she completed high school, began living independently, and concentrated on her business, those connections faded due to differing priorities and life paths.
She notes a scarcity of young entrepreneurs within Melbourne and Australia at large, especially among young women. Attending various networking events often placed her amongst significantly older business owners, creating a social gap that made it difficult to find relatable peers within her professional circles.
The Importance of Maintaining Health and Work-Life Balance
Kiana underscores a critical aspect of managing a physical retail business—her health. During the busy holiday season, she endured a stretch of 14 consecutive days selling without rest, an experience that highlighted the physical demands of standing for prolonged periods. She recounts the impact of losing her voice for five days in August, rendering her unable to engage with customers and consequently halt business operations temporarily.
In response, Kiana adopts a disciplined daily routine prioritizing physical well-being: early morning workouts at 5 a.m., nutritious breakfasts, and early bedtimes around 10 p.m. Despite the pressure of store duties, she emphasizes the necessity of placing health above work commitments to sustain long-term success.
Accepting the Market's Diversity of Preferences
From her early days at market stalls, Kiana encountered the emotional hurdle of interpreting customer behaviors. Initial reactions to potential buyers passing by without engagement sometimes led her to feelings of rejection and extensive overthinking. Over time, she developed resilience and a pragmatic understanding that her products will not resonate with every individual.
She learned to focus her energy on customers who genuinely appreciate her work, recognizing the importance of moving forward without taking a lack of interest personally. This approach has helped her maintain motivation and positivity during daily market interactions.
Kiana's journey reflects the realities of young entrepreneurship: a blend of creative passion, strategic decision-making, and personal growth. Her story highlights significant themes relevant to aspiring business owners, particularly those contemplating alternative pathways to conventional education.
As she continues to build her brand, Kiana Mei Designs stands as an example of how dedication and adaptability can create a viable and fulfilling career outside traditional academic routes.