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Once known as the goddess of Taiwanese dramas, Athena Lee Yen aka Cloud Yin has now transformed herself into one of the most admired CEOs in the beauty industry.
Since stepping away from acting after her 2022 drama A Family Reunion, she has fully focused on her skincare brand, which has now entered its seventh year of operation.
Yesterday, Lee held her brand’s annual fan meet.
While she was the main highlight, her long-time friend and fellow actress Chen Zixuan, who couldn’t attend due to filming commitments, sent a heartfelt video message to show her support.
Lee Yen’s transition from actress to entrepreneur has proven to be an incredible success.
Her brand has not only built a loyal following over the years, but it’s also achieved jaw-dropping sales numbers.
A single product launch on Shopee Taiwan once brought in NT$3 million in just one hour, and on the brand's official website, one product line sold out in just 47 minutes, racking up NT$2.98 million in revenue.
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The brand now brings in an impressive 9-digit annual turnover.
Despite these milestones, Lee remains humble.
She is hands-on in every stage of product development and insists on the highest standards.
“I’m not a professional manager,” she admitted.
“I started from scratch, learning step by step. But if I don’t believe in myself, who will?”
Even after years of hard work and growth, Lee Yen only gives herself a score of 59 out of 100.
“That’s not even a passing grade,” she laughed.
“I’ve not yet reached the standard I set for myself, but I’m committed to learning and growing slowly.”
Lee clarified that stepping back from acting wasn't directly because of her business.
However, she often gets asked whether she regrets the move.
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She admitted she sometimes does, especially when she sees the quality of local scripts.
“There are many great dramas in Taiwan,” she said.
“I still have a deep passion for acting.”
If she does return to the screen, she hopes to challenge herself with roles very different from the ones she played in the past.
She also recognises that her skills may have become rusty and hopes to start from scratch, both mentally and technically.
Despite missing the limelight of showbiz, Lee doesn’t regret her decision.
“It’s not easy,” she said, reflecting on her journey.
“Running a business is far tougher than acting. But when I think about how good our products are, I really feel it’s worth it to share them with the world.”
She ended her speech at the fan meet by thanking all her loyal supporters.
“Without the fans who’ve stayed by my side all these years, I wouldn’t be here,” she said, holding back tears. “This success is ours.”