What would you do should you had a six-figure wage? Maybe you’d by no means prepare dinner one other meal once more or bask in a month-to-month Thai therapeutic massage and a Soho Home membership to unwind from the stress that comes with being at your A sport.
Right here at The Good Life you don’t should think about what life on the prime seems to be like anymore: Get real-life inspiration for the way probably the most profitable stay their lives.
Right now Fortune meets Vivien Wong, co-founder of Little Moons—these little balls of ice cream wrapped in a glutinous layer of candy rice that went viral through the pandemic.
In January 2021, the model grew to become a social media sensation, with slime-obsessed Gen Zers flocking to check out the mochi-inspired snack—and it’s uncommon texture—for the primary time.
Within the week after going viral on TikTok, gross sales of Little Moons on the British grocery store large Tesco surged by 700%.
In fact, the small enterprise was fully unprepared for TikTok fame within the midst of a pandemic. Cabinets had been rapidly emptied of inventory—but it surely made the model grow to be much more fascinating: Those that may get their fingers on the product, confirmed off their buy with an unboxing video and a style take a look at; The hashtag #LittleMoons gained practically 20 million views; And to maintain up with the tempo, the corporate grew from round 100 staff to 400 in a matter of months.
20,000,000
The quantity of views the hashtag #LittleMoons gained.
Trying again, the 44-year-old Wong tells Fortune that the in a single day success story was “12 years in the making.” Wong and her brother, Howard launched Little Moons in 2010, when “the frozen aisles were known as the graveyard of innovation.”
Having noticed a rise in recognition for sushi and ramen however not Japanese deserts, the siblings knew there was a niche available in the market for mochi to fill—and mixing the normal candy with ice cream made it a better promote to Brits.
The corporate grew from round 100 staff to 400 in a matter of months.
They began out serving it in Japanese eating places, the place they figured extra individuals can be prepared to offer it a style. From there, Little Moons loved a sluggish and regular success. In 2015, the model launched in Complete Meals and listings in Ocado, Waitrose and Tesco adopted, earlier than Covid hit and the model went viral on TikTok.
Right now, Little Moons is on the market in all U.Ok. supermarkets and 34 international locations and it’s forecast to turnover £50 million ($63,000).
The funds
Fortune: What’s been the most effective funding you’ve ever purchased?
The perfect funding I’ve ever made has been my very own well-being. Operating and proudly owning your individual enterprise is relentless, so I’ve devoted important time and sources to each my psychological well being (via remedy and government teaching) and my bodily well being (with private trainers, acupuncture and motion teaching). These investments have been invaluable and can proceed to pay dividends for the remainder of my life.
And the worst?
We constructed a stupendous out of doors kitchen through the pandemic. We now have a Gozney Pizza oven, a inexperienced egg, an Ooni, however we don’t use them as a lot as anticipated, not helped by the unpredictable British summer season!
“The best investment I’ve ever made has been my own well-being.”
Vivien Wong
What are your residing preparations like: Swanky residence within the metropolis or suburban sprawling?
We stay near the Metropolis as a result of we love the whole lot that London has to supply. With my husband’s eating places in Mayfair and Soho, being close by is ideal for each work and having fun with the colourful power of the town.
How do you commute to work?
I take the tube or stroll. Strolling via London is such a privilege —should you take the time to lookup and take within the structure and historical past, particularly down the Strand and Fleet Road. All these wonky previous Tudor buildings inform tales of centuries previous. It’s a fantastic reminder that historical past is all the time proper there, should you decelerate to note it.
Do you carry a pockets?
I carry a skinny card holder for ID, the odd bank card and membership playing cards it’s worthwhile to entry locations.
What private finance recommendation would you give your 20-year-old self?
I adopted my mother and father’ recommendation and invested in a property early on once I first began working. Residing at dwelling allowed me to avoid wasting for it, and I made positive to stay inside my means, avoiding bank card debt. Whereas I totally perceive the worth in contributing cash right into a pension fund from the age of 20, the truth is that life is pricey and on the time, I didn’t have a lot additional to spare.
The place’s your go-to wristwatch from?
An Apple watch!
The requirements
How do you get your each day espresso repair?
My husband brings me espresso in mattress each morning. I like each day rituals in my life; I begin with a espresso and finish with a Little Moons as a candy sign-off.
What about consuming on the go?
I normally have breakfast at dwelling and go for a light-weight lunch fairly than skipping it. Our workplace is surrounded by unbelievable meals stalls providing delicacies from all around the globe, so that you’re actually spoiled for selection!
The place do you purchase groceries?
My native farmers marketplace for fruit and greens. Rooster from Fosse Farm, we order fish immediately off the day boats (peskyfish.co.uk or hendersontohome.com) and the whole lot else from Ocado. My husband is a chef, so he’s choosy about the place we supply our meals. We additionally develop some issues in our backyard which convey us a lot pleasure. Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, spinach, bok choi, apples and pears.
How typically in every week do you dine out versus prepare dinner at dwelling?
We regularly prepare dinner at dwelling but additionally love exploring the brand new eating places that consistently pop up round London. There are all the time thrilling locations to attempt, and we actually do love consuming out. Rambutan within the Borough Market is a favourite – it by no means fails to ship an distinctive meal.
To assist unwind from the highest job, Wong enjoys strolling her canine:
Vivien Wong Little Moons
The place do you store to your work wardrobe?
After I labored within the manufacturing facility each day, my uniform was Paige or rag & bone denims, a white T-shirt and a sweater. Extra not too long ago I’ve elevated that look with a jacket—both classic Chanel or Alexander McQueen once I’m within the workplace.
The treats
Are you the proud proprietor of any futuristic devices?
I’m not massively into tech. I not too long ago found you possibly can transfer the cursor on an iPhone by holding down the area bar and it has been a sport changer!
Ibiza appears to be the go-to trip spot for the entrepreneur and her household:
Vivien Wong Little Moons
How do you unwind from the highest job?
On the finish of a piece day, I really like strolling my canine, chatting to my husband and both hanging out and cooking or coming out for dinner. I additionally discuss to my mates who personal companies which clears my thoughts. An issue shared!
What’s the most effective bonus deal with you’ve purchased your self?
I’ve marked many bonus moments with a chunk of high quality jewellery from Anabela Chan. Her retailer is a whimsical break from actuality and one of the simplest ways to reward your self.
Take us on vacation with you, what’s subsequent in your trip record?
For us, touring is about experiencing one thing new at any time when we are able to. One place we are able to’t appear to avoid is Ibiza, particularly through the low season after we want a fast recharge. There’s one thing concerning the heat of the Mediterranean solar in your face that immediately pulls you into the current second. It’s the right option to unwind and escape.
The following journey we’ve deliberate is Thailand for Christmas with my mother and her sister. They had been raised there and communicate the language, so it’s all the time a novel probability to expertise the nation via their eyes—genuine and typically off the crushed path. We will’t wait to discover the colourful markets, savor the scrumptious avenue meals, and go to the hidden gems that vacationers typically overlook.
Right here at The Good Life you don’t should think about what life on the prime seems to be like anymore: Get real-life inspiration for the way probably the most profitable stay life.
Fortune needs to listen to from European leaders on what their “Good Life” seems to be like. Get in contact: orianna.royle@fortune.com
