By Yolanda Huang
When we originally started our company Mad Mochi, we were interested in bringing innovation, entertainment, and passion to the world. In 2009, when mobile games and applications were just starting to affect every mobile user, we wanted to be part of this phenomenon and contribute new fulfilling experience to gamers. Our goal was to combine casual, social, and hard core gaming into one. After we had a few games and apps under our belt, we also started marketing our products, which included having the Mad Mochi logo printed on t-shirts for the staff. We started attracting so many stares, smiles, and questions on the t-shirts, that we decided it was also a great way to share this “mad mochi” experience with fans.
In 2012, we heard about the first 626 Night Market and knew immediately we wanted to be involved. This was a not only a great opportunity to test our product and market, but a wonderful way to be involved in such a unique community. We ended up selling quite a few t-shirts and eyewear at the night market and established a website where shoppers could continue purchasing our products.
In 2010, we held a private holiday party to encourage guests to donate canned goods for charity, and had built a home made photo booth from scratch to add to the entertainment value. It was such a hit, we were getting inquiries to rent it out for weddings and parties. However, our first version was simply not mobile enough for us to bring around, and decided it was a good chance to built a second version. This version would be easy to setup, breakdown, and fit in a van, and the next part of our business, Mad Mochi Photo Booth, was then established. We have since built a third version of photo booths that are now used in many corporate events, weddings, private parties. They also include green screen capability, social media instant sharing, and logo vinyl wrap to help companies market their brand. In fact, we’ll be bringing the photo booth to the next 626 Night Market event on June 9, 2013 (Sunday), so please come by, say hi, and strike a pose!
Though starting a business is never easy and can be a hit or miss, it is important to build a strong foundation, network, and never stop coming up with new ideas. Though not every idea may be a great one, it is essential to spend the time and effort to make an idea a reality. Sometimes in business and in life, risks are worth taking. You just have to work hard, work smart, and stand by them.
