## From Corporate to Confection: How I Quit My £80,000 Job to Build a Mochi Ice Cream Empire
**Vivien Wong, co-founder of the hugely successful Little Moons, shares her inspiring journey from a high-flying corporate role to revolutionising the dessert aisle with her unique mochi ice cream creations. For anyone dreaming of trading their spreadsheets for their passion, Vivien offers invaluable insights into taking the entrepreneurial leap.**
For many, an £80,000-a-year job would be the pinnacle of career success – a sign of stability, achievement, and a comfortable future. But for Vivien Wong, the allure of the corporate ladder began to fade, replaced by a growing itch for something more authentic, more creative, and decidedly sweeter.
“I was working in strategy consulting, a demanding but well-paid job,” Vivien recounts. “On paper, it was everything you’re told to aim for. But internally, I felt a disconnect. I wasn’t passionate about the work, and the thought of spending my entire career there just didn’t excite me.”
The turning point came, as it often does, from a personal passion. Vivien, alongside her brother Howard, had a deep love for food, particularly after trips to Japan where they fell in love with mochi – a soft, chewy rice dough confection. “We realised there was nothing quite like it available in the UK, especially not with premium ice cream inside,” she explains. This simple observation sparked an idea that would eventually transform their lives and the global dessert market.
### The Leap of Faith: Trading Security for Sweet Dreams
Leaving a lucrative job isn’t a decision taken lightly. “It was terrifying,” Vivien admits. “There was a huge financial risk, and the prospect of going from a clear career path to total uncertainty was daunting. But the desire to build something of our own, something we genuinely believed in, outweighed the fear.”
With Howard by her side, the siblings embarked on their culinary adventure. They spent months in a small kitchen, experimenting with recipes, perfecting the delicate mochi dough, and sourcing the finest natural ingredients for their ice cream fillings. “It was all hands on deck,” Vivien remembers. “We were doing everything from R&D to packaging, sales, and delivery. It was a steep learning curve, and there were plenty of failures along the way.”
Their breakthrough came through relentless persistence and a commitment to quality. Little Moons, with its distinctive texture and vibrant flavours, quickly gained traction. What started as a small operation supplying local cafés and delis soon caught the eye of major supermarkets. The brand exploded in popularity, especially during the pandemic, becoming a viral sensation on social media and a must-have freezer staple.
### Vivien’s Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:
Having successfully navigated the challenging waters of startup life, Vivien offers candid advice for anyone considering a similar path:
1. **Find Your Passion and Your Gap:** “Don’t just chase trends. Find something you genuinely love and are curious about, and then look for a gap in the market that your passion can fill. For us, it was bringing authentic, high-quality mochi ice cream to a broader audience.”
2. **Start Small and Test the Waters:** “You don’t need to quit your job immediately. We started experimenting in our kitchen and testing our product with friends and at small markets. This allowed us to refine our offering and gauge interest without fully committing everything.”
3. **Validate Your Idea Relentlessly:** “Before you invest significant time and money, get feedback. Talk to potential customers, suppliers, and even competitors. Understand if there’s real demand and if your solution truly resonates.”
4. **Embrace the Learning Curve:** “You’ll be doing everything. Be prepared to learn skills you never thought you’d need, from marketing to logistics to accounting. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow.”
5. **Build a Strong Team (and Network):** “Having my brother Howard as my co-founder was invaluable. We complement each other’s skills and provide crucial support. Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision and can offer expertise where you lack it.”
6. **Understand Your Numbers:** “Even if you’re creative, a business needs to be financially viable. Get comfortable with spreadsheets, projections, and managing cash flow. This was an area where my corporate background did help.”
7. **Be Resilient and Adaptable:** “There will be setbacks, rejections, and moments of doubt. The ability to pivot, learn from mistakes, and keep pushing forward is absolutely critical. Our journey wasn’t linear.”
8. **Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help:** “Whether it’s mentors, industry experts, or other entrepreneurs, people are often willing to share their knowledge and connections. Don’t try to do it all alone.”
9. **Celebrate the Small Wins:** “Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Acknowledge and celebrate the milestones, no matter how small. It helps maintain morale and motivation.”
Today, Little Moons is a household name, stocked in thousands of stores across Europe and beyond, with a diverse range of innovative flavours. Vivien Wong’s journey is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most rewarding career moves involve letting go of what’s expected and daring to pursue your own unique, and in this case, incredibly delicious, path.
