Candice’s Journey: From Molecular Biology to Mechanical Keyboard Mogul

Candice was born into a family of doctors in Turkey. In 2015, she enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, to study Molecular and Cell Biology, preparing herself for medical school. However, after graduation, she realized that her passion for medicine wasn’t as strong as she had anticipated.

Finding Her Passion

With her newfound clarity, Candice applied to graduate programs, but her plans were interrupted by the pandemic, which forced her to attend classes remotely from home. Facing boredom, she turned to hobbies and stumbled upon the YouTube channel “Taeha Types,” run by another Berkeley graduate with 500,000 subscribers. This discovery sparked her interest in DIY mechanical keyboards.

Diving into the World of Mechanical Keyboards

Candice became fascinated with researching mechanical keyboards. Feeling ready to build her first keyboard, she quickly encountered issues while searching for parts. She found that the components she wanted were either prohibitively expensive, out of stock, or only available for purchase with Bitcoin. The mechanical keyboard community was niche, consisting mainly of enthusiasts who discussed and traded parts among themselves.

Turning Passion into Profit

Recognizing a gap in the market, Candice put her entrepreneurial skills to work. She developed a keyboard shell that was easy to produce and listed it online. In just one hour, her product sold out, leading her to invest $1,000 to launch an online store named Keebforall. Traveling to Huaqiangbei in Shenzhen, she sourced manufacturers for keyboard shells, switches, and other components, effectively kickstarting her business.

Explosive Growth and Success

By 2021, Candice’s online store grossed an impressive $500,000 in sales. The following year, her revenue soared to $1 million. With business booming, she hired her first full-time employee, and by the end of 2022, her earnings reached $1.5 million. In 2023, the store achieved $4 million in revenue, and she expanded her operations by acting as a U.S. market agent for Chinese manufacturers. With products priced between $20 to $300, the average profit margin hovered around 30-35%.

Lessons Learned

Candice’s inspiring journey emphasizes the importance of recognizing market demand. By paying attention to a niche interest, she discovered an opportunity within the relatively small mechanical keyboard community. Her success story illustrates how passion, coupled with keen observation and entrepreneurship, can lead to remarkable business achievements.

Keep an eye on emerging trends and think outside the box—who knows what opportunities await you? 🌟💻