Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanel Jeon.
Chanel, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story starts in a small but vibrant country, South Korea. I was born in South Korea but grew up in the northern suburbs of the Chicago land area. It was not easy balancing the two very different cultures and I often felt a lot of pressure trying to fit in with the American culture but was also expected to retain the values and tradition of Korean culture as. Questioning my identity was very prevalent throughout my childhood; however, I met my good friend, Rebecca, in college who influenced me to step out of my comfort zone in hopes that I learn more about the world we live in.
In my conquest to venture out into the world, I had an opportunity to study abroad in Oxford, England the summer of 2012 and the experience of a lifetime that helped me widen my horizons in all directions. As cliche as it sounds, that summer of 2012 planted the seed in my love for traveling and eating. After graduating from college in 2013, I got on a plane and ventured to the other side of the planet, Asia. During the next four years teaching abroad in Asia, I’ve lived in three and traveled to fourteen different countries. Now, I’m back in Chicago with the love of my life- we often go on our food adventures to the city as well as in the suburbs. Since my husband (back then boyfriend) and I traveled a lot in Asia, we are aiming to travel all the states in America and experience as much as what the world has to offer us.
Has it been a smooth road?
Some of you may think “wow, she traveled a lot, that’s just amazing!”, but it was definitely not as smooth as there was a major career shift along the way. I majored in Elementary Education and I taught for four years; however, I left the teaching profession after four years, not because of lack of joy, but because there has been a continuous erosion of respect for education and educators over the past years.
After discussing it with my family, I started a bubble tea business in Skokie, Illinois (@bubbletearexcafe), which was something I’ve always wanted to try. It is totally different from what I majored in and what I did for the past four years, but I don’t regret my decision of switching to business. There are times when I miss teaching, but I know for sure I would make the same decision again if I were to choose. Being at the cross lines of major career shifts was not easy at all; especially, leaving a field I was familiar with and entering one in which I had little to no experience. It is still a learning process and if there was one thing that gave me a strong confirmation in starting something new was due to the experiences I’ve made as a teacher living abroad. I have made so many great friends all over the world, enjoyed teaching at international schools, experienced and explored new cultures, traveled a lot, and most importantly, I have learned about myself. I faced many challenges and got to know parts of me that I never knew existed. These are the small to big experiences that shaped me into the person I am today and I am still utterly amazed at who I’ve become and will continue to be.
Anyone who is starting a new journey? Go for it! Whatever it is, just do it. One of the countries I lived in was China. It was completely different from any other countries I’ve lived in. It wasn’t easy – I didn’t know anyone, I didn’t even speak the language, I don’t even know why I chose to go to China out of all the other English-friendly countries! I was once hospitalized in China and it was a nightmare being in a hospital, by myself when I wasn’t able to communicate with anyone there. But you know what, I would choose to go to China again because it’s all part of a memory and an experience. After all, I’m still young, you’re still young. Just be open-minded to new opportunities because you never know what you will gain from it!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Among friends and family, I am definitely known to be the expert in amazing food and photography locations. I love sharing information of all the places I’ve been to and all the fantastic foods I’ve had in so many different countries with people who are intending to travel. Because a lot of people ask me for recommendations when they travel, especially to Asia, I made my own hashtags to sort out each country’s attraction and food pictures (e.g. #chanelogyxsingapore, #chanelogyxkorea). What sets me apart is that not only do I have pictures of food and amazing places, but there are footprints and relationships of people who’ve made traveling a breathtaking experience. My brand is not only to get “pretty” pictures out into the world but that there are stories, human relationships, and experiences beautifully recorded alongside these places.
Contact Info:
- Email: chanelogy@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chanelogy/
Image Credit:
@chanelogy
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