In the world of Power Rangers: Light Force, Jennifer Yen embodied Vypra, the villain whose goal was to take down the Power Rangers. Yet behind the scenes, Yen faced a different battle: a struggle with confidence stemming from skin issues aggravated by the heavy makeup demanded by her role. Dismayed by the lackluster results of conventional remedies, she delved into her Chinese heritage, seeking solace in the wisdom of her grandmothers. On a special episode of "LA Stories Revisited," Yen recounted how her grandmothers relied on natural remedies like soy milk, white tea, and the mystical blue lotus flower to nurture her skin. My grandmothers, they never had these crazy beauty regimens that we all know today,” she said. “They were very simple and they used foods a lot as a healing sort of from the inside out.” This journey prompted Yen to pivot from her acting career to pioneer her own skincare line, Purlisse, inspired by the natural ingredients cherished by her ancestors. Following some investors’ advice, Yen went with a French-sounding name and classic branding in hopes of selling her products to the masses, thinking if the brand looked too Asian it wouldn’t sell. |
After years of being turned down by investors and almost becoming hopeless, she eventually found success in her company. However, the initial success came with a bittersweet realization—her brand lacked the authentic reflection of her heritage. The hard-won lesson? ““Be truly authentic to who you are, because that’s what makes you unique,” she said.
Undeterred, Yen launched her second venture, YENSA, celebrating her Asian roots with pride. Infused with ancestral superfoods and bearing an unmistakably Asian identity, YENSA heralded a new chapter of empowerment and cultural appreciation. Now, Yen has ventured into the world of scalp care with the launch of her third company, JooY, where she aims to bridge the gap between skin care and hair care.
Using fermented superfoods, she hopes to redefine scalp wellness. Yen’s mission extends beyond skincare. She aspires to embolden fellow female entrepreneurs, urging them to persevere through the trials of the entrepreneurial journey. “I think that one thing that people should realize is there’s no shortcut to success,” she said, “You literally have to suffer through the process.”