At the intersection of community, female empowerment, and delicious tea and coffee, you'll find Jiaren Cafe. Founded by Jaden Zhao, Jiaren Cafe operates as both a cafe and yoga studio in the heart of Santa Clara with a mission to empower female entrepreneurs. They infuse this mission in everything they do, from brewing coffee from female-founded coffee roasters, selling products from female founders, and offering their space for workshops and community events. Read on to learn more about Jaden's journey and the lessons she's learned along the way.

What made you curious about the cafe industry?
I’ve always found cafes to be fascinating places where people can have meaningful conversations or get things done at their own pace. Local coffee shops are often where great connections and friendships form, and where many innovative ideas and businesses take root. This aligns perfectly with our nonprofit’s mission to promote female leadership and wellness. Additionally, if we execute it well, a cafe could provide a stable income to support our other programs. It’s a functional approach to achieving our broader goals.
Why did you choose to make your cafe a non-profit?
I actually founded the Silicon Valley Jiaren Association nonprofit first in 2015, and Jiaren Cafe was created to support our nonprofit mission, which focuses on female leadership and wellness. My team and I believed it would be beneficial to have a physical location for our events and to support other entrepreneurs through events and networking opportunities. Jiaren Cafe has naturally operated as a nonprofit from the beginning.
Can you tell us about key milestones and significant events that have shaped your business’s journey up to the present day?
2016: Conceptualized the idea
2018: Signed the lease
2019: Opened the cafe
2020: Focused on survival during COVID, added online platforms and boba
2022: Reopened for in-person seating
2023: Began hosting events and fostering connections
As the visionary behind Jiaren Cafe, you've cultivated a space where the community comes together, evolving from a simple café to a hub for not only workshops but also yoga classes. For aspiring small business owners looking to diversify their offerings, what practical tips would you offer?
Focus on the details, such as cost and budgeting. Understand that there may not be work-life balance for a few years, and be prepared to reinvest all your earnings back into the business. Work with the right people and build trusting relationships. Learn to let go of control, and be open to adapting to changes over time.
What are your favorite professional resources for running your business?
Google and ChatGPT
What risks have you taken that ended up a failure, what did you learn?
I've struggled a lot with hiring and learning how to work with different types of people. It's easy to work with those who are similar to you, but not everyone will be. With a limited budget and a small business, most of our hires are young and part-time, with different priorities and focuses in life. I’ve made some poor hiring decisions and learned tough lessons along the way. What I've realized is that the key is understanding what people care about and providing what they need. If things aren’t working out, it's best to cut costs and end the relationship early—for everyone's benefit.

If you could go back in time and tell your past self anything, what would it be?
I wouldn’t tell my past self anything because true learning comes from personal experience. Growth doesn’t happen by just following steps or suggestions from others; solutions need to fit the specific context and problem at hand. Everything is unique, so advice from others might not always apply. I would suggest being open-minded and trying new things, but I was already doing that—so there’s nothing I’d need to tell my past self.
What is the last thing you were curious about?
How can I be happy in life?
Share another Asian-women-owned small business or entrepreneur that inspires you!
What can the community help you with?
The community can be incredibly supportive, and the Santa Clara community is especially so—supportive and loving. I couldn’t have chosen a better place to start my first physical location business.

Jaden offers invaluable and practical wisdom that anyone on an entrepreneurial journey can learn from. A common theme throughout her answers is how the ability to adapt to change can propel your growth, whether that change is a shift in business strategy or in team structure. Next time you're looking for a cozy spot with great drinks and an even greater mission, look no further than Jiaren Cafe!
You can find them at their physical location:
Jiaren Cafe
1171 Homestead Rd #140b Santa Clara, CA 95050
Or online at:
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