Aurora Pin's founder:  hair barrettes company
a former career-interrupted woman's journey

Hello there,

As the heat rises here in Korea, I find myself increasingly concerned about global warming and its impact on our planet . I've been opting for fans instead of air conditioning.

Today, I want to share my entrepreneurial journey with you. If any of you have experienced a career break like me, I hope my story can offer guidance and inspiration for your future endeavors.

Before marriage, I worked as a web designer while my husband's friend, a hair clip manufacturer, lived nearby. Our friendship blossomed as we discovered our shared age and similarly-aged children.

After spending over a decade as full-time homemakers, our children entered the rebellious teenage years. Private education expenses in Korea are high, prompting many mothers to return to work. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I pondered my options. Despite applying for jobs and attending various courses, finding part-time work proved challenging. Balancing childcare and housekeeping would be tough if I worked full time.

That's when my friend suggested selling hair clips, and I mustered the courage to give it a try. Although my husband and child had concerns, as a full-time homemaker, I resolved to overcome the obstacles. With limited startup capital, I relied on my frugal homemaking skills.

To showcase my hair clips, I enlisted local mothers as models, capturing their pictures myself and utilizing free studio spaces provided by the government. The journey to the studio took me three hours by bus or subway, but I relished it because I had a dream to chase.

During the first two years, I worked tirelessly, sleeping only a few hours each day. Thankfully, my products gained steady sales, allowing me to continue working to this day—an opportunity for which I'm immensely grateful. Earning money through my own efforts has boosted my self-esteem. I can treat a friend to a meal, give pocket money to my mother and child, and even indulge in the books I've always wanted to read.

In this process, incredible things have unfolded in my life—events I couldn't have imagined. But I'll save those tales for another time. I want to acknowledge the numerous individuals who have supported me on this journey. There were moments of despair, questioning my abilities as I grew older. Yet, these days, I firmly believe that life is worth living.

Life is full of surprises, and I've learned that gratitude attracts more goodness into our lives.

Wishing you a day filled with laughter and joy.

Until we meet again,

Rachel Lee