Business Experience

The Sofa Company

In 1998, my partners Peter Lien, James Hwang and I embarked on a mission to create a furniture company that would redefine comfort, style, and customer experience. We poured our passion for design into every aspect of the business, striving to deliver nothing short of excellence.

From the very beginning, we wanted to offer something different. We believed furniture should be more than just functional; it should reflect personal style and be a source of joy. That’s why we made customization a cornerstone of our brand. We wanted our customers to be free to design their furniture to their exact specifications, from choosing the perfect fabric or leather to selecting the ideal size and configuration.

Over the years, our team of skilled craftsmen dedicated themselves to bringing our customer’s visions to life. We obsessed over every detail, ensuring that each piece we produced met our uncompromising quality standards. Seeing the smiles on our customers’ faces when they received their custom-made sofas was the ultimate reward.

Throughout our journey, we were fortunate to build a loyal community of customers who appreciated our commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and personalized service. We loved hearing their stories and helping them create spaces that felt like home.

Unfortunately, in 2020, we made the difficult decision to close the doors of The Sofa Company. While it was a bittersweet moment, we will always cherish the memories we made and the impact we had in the furniture industry. Our legacy lives on through the happiness and comfort we brought to countless homes.

Recliners.LA

In 2014, we also started another furniture brand, Recliners.LA, to bring the best-reclining furniture brands from around the world to customers in Los Angeles. It was an incredible opportunity to expand our reach and offer a specialized line of products alongside our existing venture, The Sofa Company.

Recliners.LA quickly became a go-to destination for those seeking comfort and relaxation. We carefully curated a collection of renowned manufacturers, including Stressless from Ekornes, American Leather, and Palliser, ensuring that our customers could access the finest reclining furniture. Whether it was a cozy recliner for the living room or a luxurious home theater seating setup, we aimed to provide the perfect reclining solution for everyone.

We believed in showcasing our collection in our physical stores, allowing customers to experience comfort and quality firsthand. Additionally, we recognized the growing importance of online shopping and Recliners.LA became a leading e-commerce brand in the furniture industry. We aimed to provide a seamless and enjoyable online shopping experience, ensuring that customers could explore and purchase our exceptional reclining furniture from their homes.

As time went on, we made the tough decision to close Recliners.LA alongside the closure of The Sofa Company. It was a choice driven by a desire to focus on new ventures, including real estate and other business endeavors. We are proud of the legacy we created with Recliners.LA and the impact we had on our customers’ lives.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our customers who supported us throughout the journey.

99Apps

99Apps was a business venture my sister Natalie and I embarked upon around 2008. During smartphones’ early days, we recognized their immense potential for transforming industries, particularly the restaurant sector. With a shared vision of leveraging technology to enhance the dining experience, we founded 99Apps.

Our primary focus was on creating iPhone applications explicitly tailored for restaurants. We understood that these apps could provide establishments with innovative ways to serve their customers better, streamline operations, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. It was an exciting time to be at the forefront of this emerging technology, and we were eager to make our mark.

The experience of collaborating with my younger sister and embarking on this entrepreneurial journey together was enriching. Working alongside Natalie was a true joy. We shared a common vision for the future of 99Apps, and our partnership strengthened our bond as siblings. We complemented each other’s skills and perspectives, and the trust and support we had for one another were instrumental in driving the business forward.

While 99Apps may not have reached its full potential, the memories and lessons learned from working together will forever hold a special place in my heart. The experience taught me the value of collaboration, the importance of seizing opportunities, and the power of embracing new technologies. Although we had to shift our focus to other endeavors, I am grateful for our journey and the lasting bond it forged between my sister and me.

Mister Importer

In 2001, my partners Jim, Peter, and I embarked on an exciting journey after our travels to China. We were captivated by the exceptional furniture craftsmanship and unique items we discovered there. Recognizing the untapped potential, we became one of the first furniture operations in Los Angeles to import containers of top-quality furniture from Asia.

MisterImporter quickly made its mark, introducing our customers to an exquisite collection of furniture that couldn’t be found elsewhere. We focused on impeccable craftsmanship, attention to detail, and sourcing from talented artisans in Asia. By offering these extraordinary pieces, we brought a touch of elegance and cultural richness to the homes and spaces of our customers.

We are proud of our lasting impact on the Los Angeles furniture scene. Our pioneering efforts in importing quality furniture from Asia allowed others to embrace globally sourced, one-of-a-kind pieces. Today, MisterImporter’s legacy lives on, reminding us of when we introduced Los Angeles to the allure of furniture imports from Asia.