AAPI Small Business Series: Pistachios Publishing

Welcome to the first episode of our new monthly series – Support AAPI Small Business! At Joeydolls, we are committed to using our platform to promote and uplift the fantastic work of fellow AAPI small business owners. We aim to showcase their talent, hard work, and dedication and help them reach a wider audience.

In this edition, we are excited to introduce you to Pistachios Publishing, a boutique bilingual children's book publisher founded by Stephanie Fu and Ivan Lin. Pistachios Publishing is a labour of love for Stephanie and Ivan, passionate about creating high-quality children's books that celebrate diversity and promote cultural awareness. Their books are published in English and Chinese, providing a unique reading experience for children and families.

As Asian-American entrepreneurs, Stephanie and Ivan bring their unique perspectives and values to the industry. Their dedication to sustainability and safety has set them apart from other publishers, as they use eco-friendly materials and safe printing methods in their publishing process. Pistachios Publishing is also committed to giving back to the community, with a portion of its profits supporting literacy programs and other charitable initiatives.

In this article, we will get to know the people behind Pistachios Publishing and learn about their journey as small business owners. We will gain insight into their goals, challenges, and hopes for the future and explore how their dedication to sustainability and safety has set them apart in the industry. We will also delve into their process for creating bilingual children's books, the impact of their work on children and families, and their plans for the future.

Through this series, we hope to showcase the amazing work of AAPI small business owners like Pistachios Publishing and help them grow. We believe that supporting small businesses is essential for building a strong and resilient economy, and we are proud to use our platform to promote and uplift their work. So sit back, grab a cup of tea, and join us as we explore the world of Pistachios Publishing!

 

Tell Us About Yourself & What Does Your Business Do?

My name is Stephanie, and my husband Ivan and I are the passionate teams behind Pistachios Publishing, a boutique bilingual children's book publisher. Our mission is to provide bilingual families with engaging stories in both Chinese and English to expand their reading resources and ignite a love for culture and languages.

Before starting Pistachios Publishing, I worked in risk management at an international bank for eight years before becoming a full-time mom and now the creator of not one but two small businesses. On the other hand, Ivan is a product manager in the financial and tech industry and now helps build blockchain financial applications with an aspiring team in a startup. We both share deep roots in Asia, having grown up in China and Taiwan.

Our first picture book, Bobo's Wild Chase, was co-authored in Simplified and Traditional Chinese and English. Since then, we have published more bilingual books with unique and exciting stories. As independent publishers, we strive to bring diverse voices and perspectives to the forefront, creating books that reflect our world.

As a small business, we are committed to positively impacting the environment and the community. We use eco-friendly materials and safe printing methods in our publishing process, setting a high industry sustainability standard. A portion of our profits also goes towards supporting literacy programs and other charitable initiatives, demonstrating our dedication to giving back.

How Long Have You Been in Business, and How Did It All Begin?

Our first anniversary is just around the corner, and we couldn't be prouder of what we have achieved with Pistachios Publishing. As a small business, we understand the importance of going above and beyond for our customers and community.

The publishing process involves much more than just writing and illustrating a book. It also includes printing, logistics, and marketing, which can be challenging, but we remain passionate about creating bilingual children's books that celebrate diversity and promote cultural awareness.

We are committed to sustainability and community, using eco-friendly materials and safe printing methods. We also donate some of our profits to support literacy programs and other charitable initiatives.

If you are a bilingual family or someone who loves children's books, we invite you to check out our selection. As Asian-owned small business owners, we bring a unique perspective and dedication to our craft. We hope to inspire and ignite a love for culture and languages through engaging stories.

 

What Challenges Have You Faced in Running This Company and an Asian-Owned Small Business?

Running our small business hasn't been easy, especially as an Asian-owned business. My husband Ivan and I are the teams behind Pistachios Publishing, and we've faced unique challenges in bringing our vision to life. However, our passion and dedication have helped us overcome these obstacles.

One of our biggest challenges was finding a talented AAPI artist for our books, as representation and inclusivity are at the core of our mission. We also had to pitch our books to reputable editors and ensure the story had a satisfying ending. But perhaps the most significant challenge for us as Asian creators was to convey our message of representation and kindness to a wider audience. We want everyone to understand that regardless of race, gender, or religion, everyone deserves to be represented in books and media.

We uphold ourselves to a high standard in creating our books to appeal to a broader audience. From the meticulous details in the illustrations to the quality of the paper and the printer we choose, we strive to create books that are on par with, or even better than, those published by big publishing houses. The pursuit of excellence in our work is an ongoing challenge, but one we are willing to take on to achieve our goal of sharing our stories with as many people as possible.

What Are Your Thoughts on Changing the Landscape in the Industry?

As a small business owner at Pistachios Publishing, my husband and I are very optimistic about the changing landscape in the industry. We deeply love art and design and are committed to inspiring creativity and artistic talent in young children. Our passion for passing down our culture and language to future generations has led us to explore various mediums for expressing culture and language creatively to children. We are thrilled about the possibilities and opportunities that the future holds for our business and are excited to continue creating engaging stories that celebrate diversity and promote cultural awareness.

What Are Your Favourite Things About Your Company?

One of the things that Stephanie and Ivan love most about their company is that it allows them to think big, daydream, and create value for their community. They are proud to be able to bring engaging stories to bilingual families in both Chinese and English, expand their reading resources, and ignite a love for culture and languages. Their dedication to sustainability and safety has set them apart in the industry. They are shining examples of what can be achieved through passion, hard work, and a commitment to excellence.

 

What Are Your Hopes and Dreams at Your Company?

What we love most about our company is that it allows us to think big, daydream, and create value for our community. We're proud to be able to bring engaging stories to bilingual families in both Chinese and English, expand their reading resources, and ignite a love for culture and languages. Our dedication to sustainability and safety has set us apart in the industry, and we strive to maintain high standards in everything we do. We believe that passion, hard work, and a commitment to excellence can help us achieve great things, and we're excited to continue growing and making a positive impact.

How Can We Best Follow and Support You?

To support our business, Pistachios Publishing, you can sign up for our newsletter at www.pistachiospublishing.com and follow us on our Instagram account, @readatouille. Doing so lets you stay updated on our latest releases, promotions, and events. Furthermore, purchasing our bilingual children's books provides quality reading resources for bilingual families and supports a small business with a meaningful mission.