By Alice Park
If you’re in Austin, you may have stumbled upon the Instagram handle @atasteofkoko or the blog, https://www.atasteofkoko.com/. When I first moved here, the first thing I did was google: Austin food and hikes. That’s how I found Jane’s blog in the top search results, and with her articles, I fearlessly explored the unfamiliar. With every recommended bite and hike, I now call this city my home.
With over 120K followers, featured in press like the New York Times, and noted as a best-selling author on Amazon, it’s impossible not to feel pure admiration for all her success.
So who is Jane, the woman behind the self-made brand? I’m grateful to have had the chance to sit down with a matcha latte and get to know Jane, behind the brand. Here are 5 tips that I take away from meeting this YWA member.
1. Work x3: The first surprising thing I learned is that Jane worked 3 jobs while launching her blog. 3 jobs! My jaw dropped when she told me this. That is pure dedication and grit. She didn’t become a top blogger overnight, this took years of time and energy spent into her passion project, in addition to her day job(s). What a boss lady!
2. Invest in yourself: While traditional work ethic never gets old, the world evolves and there’s an opportunity for each of us to create what that world could look like. It’s Jane’s curiosity and fearlessness to explore the new world of media and creative that allowed her to double down on her brainchild as a full-time career when it was time. In the ever-changing and unpredictable industry of social media and life, she is a local voice to our community that started with believing in yourself and your world.
3. Lead with action: No one could have predicted a snow storm in Austin but nevertheless, Jane and her platform partnered with local restaurants to bring food to the community. She also partnered with Asian owned restaurants during covid and used her voice as an Asian American, something that resonated to me at a time when I needed it the most. I’ll never forget the way she made me feel with these actions she took.
4. Find inspiration from your roots: Leading with vulnerability is hard to do. When I asked Jane how she got started before becoming a top food blogger, she shared with me that she didn’t grow up with fine dining experiences. Fast forward to today and restaurants are lucky to be pictured with Jane eating one of their dishes.
5. Recruit your advisors and keep learning: So what’s next for Jane? While it looks like it couldn’t get any better, I am once again blown away when I discover that her time is not just spent on creative and the restaurant community. In addition to running her businesses, building a new home, and participating as a member of YWA, Jane is managing her investment portfolio, something that she is passionate about learning more about and representing as a woman. She was introduced to the world of investing by another woman investor and recommends finding advisors who can help educate you on areas to develop in, especially in finance.
“We’re all on our own Path”. With these words, she reassured me that her accomplishments are not a blueprint for success or a linear prescription. Everyone has their own journey and dream, and that is the beauty of it. Finding such success as a young entrepreneur, Jane is someone who I was so excited I got a response after just an hour of reaching out. It’s no surprise to learn how driven, authentic, and humble she is. Having the chance to meet Jane and grow our connection through YWA is a special experience to me because it’s moments like these that remind me of why I joined YWA. I simply feel connected, empowered, and supported.
