Hi, my name is Jennifer Tsai, and I am the founder of a Handmade Soap Brand.

I started my small business from home five years ago, making handmade soaps. What began as a side hobby slowly evolved into a full-time job, involving online orders, packaging, and an endless stream of customer messages. Everyone around me said I was “living the dream.”

And maybe I was. But behind that dream was exhaustion. I worked late into the night, answered messages while cooking dinner, and scrolled through customer reviews even before saying good morning to my kids. My husband joked that I was married to my phone—and he wasn’t wrong.

I told myself I was doing it for my family. But deep down, I knew I was losing connection with them, and with myself.

How I Found Pop Workshop

A close friend, who had joined Pop Workshop, told me it helped her slow down without feeling guilty. That line stayed with me. I didn’t even know slowing down could be something to learn.

So, one weekend, I left my assistant in charge and went. It was strange at first—no business talk, no productivity advice, just people sharing honestly about their lives.

What Stood Out for Me

We discussed what “success” truly meant to each of us. Some said peace, others said love. When it was my turn, I said, Success is when my shop finally gets 1,000 online reviews.

Everyone smiled, but I knew I didn’t mean it. Somewhere along the way, my goals had turned into numbers, not feelings. I had forgotten why I started my brand in the first place—to create something beautiful and personal, not just profitable.

Listening to others at Pop Workshop, I realized how often I ran my life like a business report—tracking, fixing, achieving—but rarely feeling. That awareness alone was worth the whole weekend.

What Changed After Pop Workshop

After the workshop, I didn’t make huge changes right away. But I started with small things. I now stop working at 7 p.m., regardless of the circumstances. I take my kids out on Sunday mornings and leave my phone at home.

It wasn’t easy at first, but something shifted. My creativity came back. I started enjoying the process again—mixing scents, designing packaging, writing short notes to customers. The joy that I’d lost under deadlines slowly returned.