Petals of Progress

Hello to all AURORA PIN newsletter subscribers,

I'm Woomi. 😊

It’s finally full-blown spring. Up until last week, the wind was still chilly, but now it's warmed up enough that I can wear lighter clothes than before.

For my business selling hair clips, I make a real effort to stay informed.

Recently, an international textile and fashion fair was held in the city where I live in Korea. I attended to learn about color matching and the latest trends. With environmental issues gaining more attention these days, sustainability was a major theme in several of the fair’s seminars. They say that buying quality items and using them for a long time is good for the environment.


In fact, some of our hair barrettes—which I wear myself—have lasted over ten years. Made from resilient plastic and crafted solely with high-quality Korean materials, we pay close attention to achieving a smooth finish. Having produced hair clips for over 30 years, our manufacturer even holds several patents.

In business, I believe relationships are everything. It turns out that success isn’t just about individual talent; it’s also about the support and guidance we receive from those around us. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate that, beyond capital or skill, having the right people to help and lead you is crucial. That’s why I always strive to help as many people as I can. I’m incredibly grateful to those who supply us with great products—it’s thanks to them that I’m able to keep this business going.

On weekends, I attend an English academy. Most of the people there are in their 20s or 30s—students or working professionals who want to study abroad, pursue jobs overseas, or just learn English as a hobby. I go to an academy that has a cozy, cafe-like atmosphere with coffee, tea, and snacks available. The decor even reminds me of the TV show Friends. There are comfortable sofas to relax on, and classes are kept small, with fewer than six students per session. The teachers come from all sorts of backgrounds—some have lived abroad, others are excellent English speakers who studied here in Korea, and there are plenty of native speakers from the U.S. and Canada, too.

It’s really fun and rewarding to learn and chat in English with people of all ages, sharing our stories along the way. Beyond English, there are also study groups for Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese. On weekends, we sometimes throw themed parties—like for Halloween—hold cooking classes, or even share hobbies like rock climbing.

Since my English academy is located in the heart of downtown, I often take a break to stroll around the city. Korean cosmetics, or K-beauty, are wildly popular worldwide, and you can find them at a store called OLIVE YOUNG. If you ever visit Korea, it might be worth checking out.

There’s also SHACK SHACK Burgers and a fashion brand called MUSINSA.

Lately, it seems that many young people in Korea love crane games, taking selfies, decorating phone cases, and collecting small character figurines—I’ve noticed these trends while exploring downtown.

Even flower shops are on trend, selling bouquets of flowers bundled together.

Next week, I’m planning a business trip to Seoul, the capital, for a seminar about expanding into Walmart in the U.S. I’m really grateful for the chance to enter Walmart, in addition to selling on Amazon in the States. I never take these opportunities for granted and remain thankful every day. I’m working hard to prepare high-quality hair accessories to share with customers in the U.S. and around the world.

Best regards,

Woomi 😊
Founder, AURORA PIN 🩷