Congratulations to Vivian Kong Doctora

Photos above from Vivian Kong Doctora’s Honoree Ceremony, April 14, 2026. Special thanks to Shaylah Prince, owner of Royal Blue Bakery, for providing delicious cookies for the event. She was a past participant in Vivian’s startup Young Entrepreneur Market.

Vivian Kong Doctora’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose, shaped by her experiences as an Asian American, a corporate professional, an entrepreneur, and a community builder.

Born and raised in Hong Kong and immigrating to the United States, Vivian often faced the quiet but powerful challenge of being seen through assumptions rather than as an individual. Because of how she looked and sounded, others sometimes imposed stereotypes or expectations on her identity, values, and behavior. 

Instead of allowing those perceptions to define her, Vivian developed a strong desire to create spaces where people could be seen for who they truly are. This early experience would later influence both her entrepreneurial ventures and her creative work, including her children’s book Life As Bao, which emphasizes connection beyond appearances.

Her cultural background played a significant role in shaping her early decisions. Raised with values common in many Asian households such as hard work, humility, and stability, Vivian initially followed a more traditional path. Though she was passionate about food and nutrition, she chose to study business administration at Illinois State University, encouraged by the idea of pursuing a safer, more stable career. Even when she discovered a love for marketing, she stayed the course to graduate on time and was part of the class of 1996.

That decision led her to a 21-year career at State Farm, where she spent 19 years working in marketing. During this time, Vivian gained valuable insights about the corporate world. She learned that success was not just about working hard, but it was also about building relationships, advocating for oneself, and recognizing one’s own worth. These lessons helped her grow professionally, but over time, she began to feel a lack of fulfillment.

At the age of 48, Vivian made a bold decision: she stepped away from her stable corporate career to pursue entrepreneurship. The choice was not easy, but it was driven by a desire to live without regret. She wanted to create something meaningful, align her work with her passions, and take control of her time and future.

Her entrepreneurial journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many people experimented with baking, Vivian turned to a childhood memory with her mother; making bao, a type of soft, fluffy steamed filled or unfilled bun that comes from Chinese cuisine. What started as a personal project soon evolved into a business, Bao Destination. More than just a food venture, it became a way for Vivian to share her culture and bring people together. She believes that food can serve as a bridge, sparking curiosity, and meaningful conversations across cultures.

Beyond Bao Destination, Vivian launched multiple initiatives rooted in the same mission: creating opportunities and fostering connections. Vivian and her friend Andrea Bjorkman co-created and developed cooking classes to bring people together through shared experiences and worked toward building a food hall concept that would allow aspiring entrepreneurs to test their ideas in a supportive environment. Her goal was not only to succeed herself, but to make it easier for others to pursue their dreams.

Vivian’s commitment to the community is also reflected in her work with Young Entrepreneurs. Inspired by her daughter who wanted to sell handmade bracelets alongside Vivian at the farmer's market, Vivian created the Young Entrepreneur Market, a space where children could showcase their creativity, learn business skills, and build confidence. Through this initiative, she aimed to teach not only entrepreneurship, but also resilience, communication, and adaptability.

Throughout her journey, mentorship and community support played a crucial role. From a manager who helped her rise rapidly in her early career to local business owners who offered guidance when she started her own ventures, Vivian experienced firsthand the power of people helping people. This inspired her to co-create the Collective Entrepreneur Group, a supportive network where entrepreneurs can share knowledge, resources, and encouragement.

Although business is an important part of Vivian’s journey, family remains at the center of her life. Married since 2007 to her husband Rednuy, whom she met through mutual friends at State Farm, she is also a mother to twins, Riley and Haley (13). Her decision to become an entrepreneur was deeply connected to her desire to spend more time with her family and be present in their lives. Rather than striving for a perfect balance, she focuses on being intentional with her time and creating a flexible life that aligns with her values.

Vivian continues to honor her sister by building a lasting legacy through a scholarship. The idea came to her while living in California, after watching an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show focused on creating meaningful legacies. It immediately brought her thoughts to her sister, Eleanor.

“She passed away so young and she was so passionate about teaching. How do we ensure that her legacy lives on and that her passion and the impact she wanted to make in the education community continue to grow? That’s what got me thinking about establishing a scholarship in her name.”

Determined to make that vision a reality, Vivian did extensive research and discovered that Illinois State University could both establish the scholarship and manage the administrative details. Through Eleanor’s legacy, Vivian hopes to support ISU students who share that same passion for education — giving them the opportunity to pursue their goals and carry that impact forward.

Vivian defines success not by titles or income, but by impact and freedom. To her, success means inspiring others to pursue their dreams, creating opportunities for growth, and having the ability to live life on her own terms. She believes there is no “perfect time” to start something new and encourages others to take small steps, embrace risk, and learn through experience.

At the core of her philosophy is resilience; not as stubborn persistence, but as the willingness to adapt, pivot, and keep moving forward. She emphasizes the importance of mindset, positivity, and focusing on what can be controlled. Her message is clear: challenges are not obstacles to avoid, but opportunities to grow.

Looking back, Vivian is most surprised by how much she has accomplished in a short time since leaving the corporate world. In just a few years, she has built businesses, launched community initiatives, and created a meaningful impact — more than she felt she achieved in decades of corporate work.

To Vivian Kong Doctora, being “extraordinary” means making a difference. It means inspiring others, creating space for people to be themselves, and helping turn possibilities into realities. Her story is a testament to the power of courage, community, and choosing to live a life without regret.

Written by EOW Intern Emma Standford