A notification sounds as junior Jason Wu reaches for his phone. Nervous, he reads over the message slowly: “Could you build me a mechanical keyboard?” A wave of validation rushes through his body. This wasn’t just a request — it was recognition of a skill he’s quietly perfected. 

It all started from Wu’s entrepreneurial interests, which began with the See’s Candies lollipops, Skittles and Juicy Drops he sold to his classmates in elementary school. Driven to turn this into a small business, Wu began consulting with his brother, who has since provided him with unique guidance and support. 

“Seeing how my brother ran a similar business when he was young really influenced me to do so as well,” Wu said. “Sometimes, I come home to my brother showing me his friends’ clothing brands or his weird candy concoctions like gummy worms in Kool-Aid — an item he was determined to sell. Seeing that pushed me to become more creative with what I sold.”

During quarantine, Wu’s interest in desk accessories sparked. Learning all about the latest computer mice or even mechanical keyboard building, Wu took the opportunity to implement his new skills and interests into his business.

“It was my brother who suggested I offer more specific services,” Wu said. “So I began lubing mechanical switches — a process to further refine the sounds of mechanical keyboards — for a price since it was a task many found tedious while I found interesting.”

But that’s not the only new addition to the store. Now, Wu sells everything from keyboard building and modifying, computer mice, mouse pads, squishies and “stupidly-large ‘Orbeez,’” to the all-too-familiar candy he started with.

“I learned that passion goes a long way,” Wu said. “Without it, you’re going to burn out really easily. It’s better to find something that you actually enjoy doing in your free time, and to develop that sense of ingenuity.”