“I think all of us somehow know of our purpose. If we are actually intentional, [then] acting on it is when we achieve greatness.” - Kevin Ung
While in Denver, I stayed at the posh Thompson Denver (luckily, within the company’s allowance). The hotel offered recommendations, one of which is to visit the Milk Tea People, a tucked-away tea shop in a new corner of Market Station called Basecamp. It was here that I drank the best match tea I’ve had, no offense Starbucks. It prob had to do with the stunning aesthetic design of the storefront and the fact that they source the matcha directly from Japan, imperial grade.
Kevin Ung, co-founder of Milk Tea People, had a gut-wrenching experience in opening the store. After pouring his life savings into this dream, facing criticism from the people in his life, and then the unimaginable COVID hitting just when finances got tough and banks not lending anymore, Kevin faced the second roughest moment in his life.
That first week was emotional, with practically no customers. But then the second-week hit and the customers poured in while matcha got poured into cups. Milk Tea People had blown up and they’ve never looked back. Grit and perseverance got Kevin through it.
“Kinks are never-ending. Even to this day, we are working on kinks. And I think that’s a great thing because we are constantly improving upon ourselves.” - Kevin Ung
And that was just the second roughest moment in his life. The first, was when he lost his grandmother over a year ago and sent Kevin on a soul-searching, life journey. When someone means the world to you and they are gone, it leaves you lost and confused. Kevin was now on a mission to find his purpose.
“I think all of us somehow know of our purpose. If we actually intentionally, act on it is when we achieve greatness.” - Kevin Ung
That’s led him to double down on his grit to deepen his health and positivity. He takes a minute to be grateful for his health, and invests in it with routine visits to the gym at least 5 times a week, relieving all the stress that's accumulated throughout the day. He reads, even if it’s just a few minutes, every day. He even has an app downloaded on the phone to drop little notes of positivity into his day, because, why not?! (And why didn’t I think of that app first!)
“It’s easier to be on autopilot then to put in the work.”
If there’s one thing about Kevin that’s consistent, it’s that he just keeps going. With personal losses, a pandemic, and the kitchen sink thrown at him, he tells himself, “Kevin, keep going, you got this.” That small personal mantra gets him going and no matter what is happening, he’ll get through it.
(pick up on Kevin’s habits)
Read Atomic Habits by James Clear. By now, you might be the last person on the planet who hasn’t read it.
Download the Mantra app (Apple or Google) and see the same uplifting note as Kevin every morning.
Hit the gym 5x a week. Get the right performance gear at Nike and then do the toughest lift… off the couch and outside.
Visit Milk Tea People, located at the BaseCamp at Market Station, which is right off 16th Street and Blake Street. Check out their Instagram to whet your appetite. ;)
Interview with Milk Tea People Co-Founder Kevin Ung