Why Not Me? How CC Chu Built The Bean Flower and Created Unconventional Happiness

In this vibrant and deeply inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer, host April Kemp sits down with CC Chu, founder and owner of The Bean Flower in Durham, North Carolina — a beloved community space known for its authentic Asian desserts, cultural representation, and heart-centered leadership.

Born and raised in Durham, CC’s journey is one of coming home — culturally, creatively, and personally. From studying art at UNCG to working across food service and retail management, CC intentionally learned every layer of the industry before taking the leap into entrepreneurship. What emerged wasn’t just a business, but a third space rooted in nostalgia, community care, ethical leadership, and joy.

This episode explores resilience, representation, cultural pride, and the courage it takes to say, “Why not me?” It’s a must-listen for women dreaming of building something meaningful, inclusive, and bigger than profit.

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Key Discussion Points (with time stamps):

• (01:17) The timing of dreams and taking the leap when opportunity presents itself
• (01:54) Growing up Chinese American in Durham and returning to her roots
• (02:42) How studying art built critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• (03:38) What The Bean Flower offers beyond “just boba” — authentic Asian flavors and cultural storytelling
• (04:40) The personal transformation of becoming a small business owner
• (05:44) Discovering a deeper layer of resilience through fear and uncertainty
• (06:41) Staying positive through customer connection and community support
• (07:47) Milestones: Love Durham campaign, AAPI Month, and community traction
• (09:33) The moment CC realized she could do this — “Why not me?”
• (10:39) Early obstacles: limited budget, real estate challenges, and timing
• (11:58) Documenting every step of building the space and the blur of the grand opening
• (13:49) Early career wins that prepared her to lead from the ground up
• (15:19) Finding joy and purpose in daily work and positive environments
• (16:27) Advice to young women: learn from every experience
• (17:31) Shoutouts to her team, family, and community support
• (18:56) Ethical leadership: paying living wages, offering benefits, and prioritizing people
• (20:55) Creating a workplace culture rooted in transparency and realism
• (22:15) How aspiring dreamers can reach out and connect

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Notable Quotes:

• “A lot of chasing your dream is noticing the timing and being willing to take that scary jump.”
• “Why not me?”
• “This has been the most terrifying and rewarding thing I’ve ever done.”
• “It’s a high-risk, high-reward situation.”
• “My happy place is coming to work.”
• “You never know what something’s going to teach you.”
• “We’re here to serve a purpose greater than just sweet treats and drinks.”
• “Unconventional happiness.”

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Takeaways:

• Dreams often come together through timing, not a single defining moment.
• Critical thinking and adaptability are powerful tools for entrepreneurs.
• Cultural representation and authenticity create deeper community connection.
• Resilience grows when you move forward despite fear.
• Ethical leadership and community care matter more than profit alone.
• Learning every role builds stronger, more empathetic leaders.
• You don’t need permission to pursue your dream — sometimes the answer is simply why not you?

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Connect with Guest:

• Website: https://thebeanflower.com
• Instagram: @thebeanflower

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Connect with Us:

• Follow April Kemp on Instagram: @fanaticaldreamher
• Stay updated on new episodes: https://www.fanaticaldreamher.com/
• April’s email: [e-mail]

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