In this episode, Shirley and Esther sit down with Annie Chen, the founder of Central Bark, a premium pet care service, and former consultant, recruiting specialist, and president of the MIT Poker Club. We explore Annie’s first-time journey as an entrepreneur, as well as how her Type 2, natural people coach, and social butterfly tendencies have helped her in her self-discovery and career growth journeys and enabled her to mentor others through her efforts to give back to the women professionals circles and Asian communities, like the Apex Youth organization.

Annie shares her fascinating background, including her path to Wellesley, her leadership role in the MIT Poker Club, and her career in consulting and finance before opening Central Bark. We delve into her childhood and the key moments that shaped her interests and self-identity today.

As we discuss her career, Annie reveals her approach to early career formulation and how her experiences in high school and college led her to discover her unique personal superpowers of people connection and support. She also reflects on her mental health, sharing how her ADHD diagnosis has empowered her to tap into her strengths and her biggest lessons through listening to self inquiry podcasts while training for marathons. 

Tune in to hear about Annie's entrepreneurial journey with Central Bark, her passion for the pet industry, mentorship, and poker, and the insights she's gained along the way. This episode is packed with inspiration and valuable lessons for anyone looking to navigate their career and personal growth.

#Entrepreneurship #CareerGrowth #PetCare #Consulting #MITPokerClub #SelfDiscovery #MentalHealth