A senior in her 80s has started a business. It’s not for money—she wants to see people happy.
The courageous entrepreneur is Mrs. Carole Min (81), wife of the late attorney Byungsoo Min, known as an “elder of the Korean community.” Mrs. Min stood by her husband’s side until his passing in 2023, actively engaging with the Korean community.
Over 40 years ago, when her husband founded the Korean American Bar Association of Southern California (KABA) and offered pro bono legal services, or when he took the lead in helping Korean American victims during the LA riot in 1992, she was always by his side.
Although her skin color is different, Mrs. Min considers herself a member of the Korean community. Even though her husband is no longer here, her commitment remains unchanged.
The business Mrs. Min started produces bedding and clothing for toddlers. The company is called “Minz Whimz.”
The Korea Daily spoke with Mrs. Min about what led her to start this business, her current activities, and her memories with Attorney Min.
-What inspired you to start the business?
“I learned how to make clothes and blankets by watching my mother and grandmother when I was young. Perhaps because of that influence, I have always wanted to do something creative and artistic. I also wanted to stay active and energized. In the past, I used to make baby clothes and bedding as gifts for friends, and they suggested. Thus, I turn it into a business.”
-Can you explain in more detail about your business?
“For bedding, I make pillows and blankets. I select a storybook featuring an animal as the main character and design bedding that matches that animal. As for clothing, I make tops, bottoms, and hats. Unlike bedding, the clothing designs are not necessarily related to the animals from the storybooks. I also used to make clothes for my grandchildren.”
-When did you start?
“It’s been about a year and a half since I started. I only began actively promoting it last November. My daughter-in-law created an Instagram account and has been helping with promotions. Before that, most sales happened through word of mouth.”
-How do you make the products?
“It’s a small-scale home business. I buy the fabric and make everything at home. While I do purchase fabric from local stores, I now buy a lot of it online as well. I have three sewing machines at home. Sometimes, I run two machines at the same time to speed up production, but I try not to rush the process.”
-How has the response been?
“I was surprised at how well it’s selling. So far, most of the sales have come through friends and referrals. One woman, who reached out through a mutual acquaintance, even bought nine sets of tops and bottoms.”
-Do you have any business goals?
“Making a profit isn’t my main goal. Similar products in stores cost around $80, but I sell mine for around $35—less than half that price. I do this because I enjoy it, and I like staying busy. Plus, seeing the happiness of those who purchase my products brings me joy.”
-It has been almost two years since Attorney Min passed away.
“I miss him very much. I still feel his absence, and I wish he were here. Whenever I listen to music, the emptiness feels even greater. He introduced me to a lot of classical music during his lifetime. We both particularly loved opera arias. We often listened to Luciano Pavarotti’s Nessun Dorma and Andrea Bocelli’s Time to Say Goodbye, though the latter isn’t an aria. Another thing that saddens me is that he didn’t get to spend much time with our granddaughter. She was only 100 days old when he passed away, and now she’s already two years old.”
-Do you visit Koreatown often?
“I miss both LA’s Koreatown and the Korean American community. Most of my longtime friends are Korean American, and I miss sharing meals and spending time with them in Koreatown. Since I don’t have a car, I wasn’t able to visit for a while, but I’m grateful that people still remember me and invite me to the community events.”
-What would be the memorable moment from the Korean American community?
“The 1992 LA riots. At the time, I lived in La Brea, and I could see the flames from Koreatown even from my home. I remember my husband and 11 other Korean American attorneys working tirelessly to raise funds for business owners who suffered losses. I can still vividly recall how my husband and the other lawyers provided free legal representation to help Korean American victims receive as much compensation as possible.”
-Is there anything you hope for?
“The Korean American community has given me so much. I am deeply grateful and truly consider myself Korean American. Of course, I am also part of the Korean American community. I sincerely appreciate that people still remember my husband and me. I hope the community continues to remember him in the future as well.”
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
