Small Business Spotlight: 4 AAPI LNY Market Vendors to Shop This Festive February
As the dragon swoops in to welcome another lunar phase, the AAPI LNY Market presented by Everybody’s Market celebrated the AAPI artists from the greater Chicago area on February 4. The market hosted more than 30 vendors and celebrated the New Year with events like lion dance and martial arts performances. Follow EnVi’s journey in this convention, support your favorite AAPI small business, and tick some boxes off your Lunar New Year or Valentine’s wish list!
Lucky Ducks
Started by two high school friends Megan Herrera and Aida Frey, Lucky Ducks is a small business that mainly focuses on K-pop-themed crafts.
“In 2023, a bunch of K-pop concerts got announced and we wanted to save up money for that. So why not sell some stuff we made?” said Herrera.
It worked out perfectly; with Aida’s background in graphic design and Megan’s love for crocheting and fiber art, Lucky Duck has continued to swim in the Chicago K-pop scene. This year, Lucky Ducks treads new waters with the AAPI LNY Market being their first non-K-pop conference.
“I’m Filipino Chinese American. Growing up, I never knew about or had easy access to these events where there is so much Asian representation and Asian small business owners. It’s really nice to see such a big community,” said Herrera.
Currently, Lucky Ducks sells K-pop merch on their website. Their crochet designs can be found in in-person events and conferences, and they also take commissions.
Muiji Studio
Drawing inspiration from her Cantonese Filipino heritage, Jenny Yip creates original stickers, keychains, and various accessories through Muiji Studio. Just starting in 2022, what Yip describes as a “passion project business” has grown to become a star-seller with more than 5,600 sales in total on Etsy. Even throughout the AAPY LNY Market, her soft pink stand was never void of onlookers as many picked out AAPI-themed stickers and keychains.
“You get to see other people that look like myself – see the cultural representation, see other people being as passionate and so warm and welcoming. Being part of the community is what we’re all about. Being here is just all positive vibes,” Yip said.
Yip sells on Etsy and at conventions. If you are in the greater Chicago area, find Muiji Studio’s next stop here!
b.Ready
“I’ll call this a science-facts product, but also culturally inspired,” said Chrissy Xu, founder of b.Ready hangover recovery gummies.
Combining three clinically studied and researched ingredients with traditional Chinese medicine herbs such as kuzu roots, Xu described her gummies as a fusion of “the best of east and west.”
The gummies are formulated to target alcohol-caused inflammation for preventative control, explained Xu. Though there are other products on the market with similar effects, b.Ready’s gummies are compact, convenient, and fun to eat.
“I really want to bring this [traditional Chinese] heritage into my products. The AAPI Market is the perfect event because so many people share the same culture as me, so people resonate more because they have background knowledge [in traditional medicine],” said Xu.
Find b.Ready’s gummies on their website for your next hangover remedy and check out their Instagram for more information!
Lin Bader Design
Lin Bader is a Chicago-based jeweler that hones into the natural elements and dynamics for her crafts as an homage to authenticity and craftsmanship.
From Grow to Gather to Multiply to Flow, Bader honors each of her collections to a strand of nature.
“I used to work for a big corporate in the fashion world as a senior designer. There was a lot of environmental impact I’m not comfortable with and social impact I don’t want to associate myself with,” said Bader. By hand-crafting through natural materials, Bader hoped to alleviate the bigger problem through her own hands.
Although Bader regularly tables at artisan markets every week, this event resonates with her on a personal level.
“[This event] makes me feel at home – the celebration and community just feels totally different here. I would do it in a heartbeat,” said Bader.
Shop for Lin Bader Design’s creations and order customs designs here. To learn more about Bader’s story behind her creations, read here.
Support more AAPI businesses by checking out this article that highlights five Filipino businesses!
