From Rural China to a $100M Empire: How Jenny Jing Zhu Built Lush Decor Against All Odds

Jenny Jing Zhu's journey from a small village in China to founding Lush Decor, a $100 million home decor company, is nothing short of inspirational. Starting during the 2008 financial crisis, Zhu's story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of dreaming big.

The Early Struggles

Growing up in a rural village without electricity until second grade, Zhu was the only girl from her village to attend high school. A story about a woman who left her village to start a business sparked her dream. Moving to Beijing, she worked as a hotel maid and ran a dry cleaning business before immigrating to the US at 26.

Breaking Into the Fashion Industry

Inspired by Vera Wang, Zhu applied to the Fashion Institute of Technology but was redirected to home fashion due to competition. Her childhood experiences with textiles, from planting cotton to weaving fabric, fueled her passion for home decor.

Launching Lush Decor in 2008

With the economy collapsing and personal challenges mounting, Zhu started Lush Decor with a focus on unique, affordable designs. Despite skepticism about e-commerce in home decor, she persisted, hand-labeling packages and leveraging unique designs like crocodile skin bags and Vera Wang-inspired bedding.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Zhu faced immense pressure, with no safety net or mentor. Her passion and persistence drove her to learn on the job, eventually leading Lush Decor to profitability by 2012 and surpassing $100 million in revenue by 2021.

Lessons for Today's Entrepreneurs

Zhu emphasizes the importance of resilience and community, especially in challenging times like the current economic climate. She advises entrepreneurs to focus on what they can control and to diversify supply chains where possible.