Kelly Choi: "Women, Dream Bigger and Create New Values" [2022 Women’s Forum]

"He can do it, she can do it, so why can't I? Dream to be the best in the world."

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] On the 19th, at the Crystal Ballroom of Lotte Hotel Seoul in Sogong-dong, Kelly Choi (real name Choi Geumrye, 54), chairwoman of Kellydeli, delivered the keynote speech at the '2022 Women Leaders Forum.' As a Korean-born woman listed among the top 0.1% wealthy in the UK and head of Kellydeli, a global company generating annual sales of 600 billion KRW across 1,200 stores in 12 European countries, she emphasized to Korean women leaders to "dream bigger and create greater value."

In her speech, she urged breaking down boundaries and creating new value within them. Her first boundary crossing was moving to Seoul. Born in 1968 in Jeongeup, Jeonbuk, as the fifth of six siblings, she experienced extreme poverty. When it became difficult to attend high school due to financial hardship, she moved to Seoul alone and chose the path of studying by day and working by night. Thanks to the factory's consideration, she worked at the factory during the day and studied at school in the evening, nurturing her dreams.

Later, the sudden death of a colleague and classmate led her to break down national borders. She went to Japan and France, and after working in the fashion business, she ventured into the food service industry, creating new value. Without being confined by country, language, or lack of expertise, she sought mentors and took on challenges by actively engaging on the ground. Through such efforts, she met sushi master Yamamoto and succeeded in the sushi business.

She advised, "Even if the success probability is 1%, don't give up. If you try 450 times, the success probability becomes 99%," and encouraged visualizing a blueprint of the maximum potential one can achieve to realize dreams. She added, "Humans have new thoughts every 3 seconds and are influenced by them, so it is necessary to drive out negative thoughts and fill the mind with positive ones." She explained, "By visualizing a blueprint and capturing the most desired moment of achieving mid-to-long-term (5-10 years) dreams in a photo, and by planning the success process like a film director, one can control the subconscious."

She also advised not to limit one's own boundaries. Quoting Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of former U.S. President Roosevelt, she emphasized, "Women are like tea bags. You only know how strong they are when you put them in hot water."

'Wellthinker' is the life attitude Chairwoman Choi stresses most. A wellthinker is a person who has healthy (wealth) thoughts (thinker), with the core being the determination of "I can do it too." Balancing work and household chores also falls under this. Chairwoman Choi emphasized, "There is no need to choose between work and household chores. There is a way to catch both rabbits, and especially Korean women, who can multitask, can definitely achieve this," highlighting ▲ making your husband an ally to gain cooperation ▲ seeking professional help ▲ interpreting others' intentions positively. She advised not to fall into guilt for neglecting housework and childcare, not to misunderstand others' intentions, and to focus on what you can do by receiving help from those around you (husband, family, housekeeper, etc.).

Regarding not misunderstanding others' words, she quoted Indra Nooyi, the longest-serving CEO of PepsiCo, saying, "No matter what others say or do to me, accept it with positive intent. Then you will be surprised at how differently the problematic person or situation appears." She also added, "We must correct ressentiment, which is hatred, revenge, jealousy, and anger that the weak harbor against the strong, and discard hypocritical thoughts about money."

What kind of future leader does Chairwoman Choi envision? Echoing Sheryl Sandberg's words that "in the future, there will be no women leaders, only leaders," she emphasized, "In the future, the adjective 'female' will not be attached before 'leader.' They will exist solely as leaders." Lastly, she encouraged, "I did not doubt success and believed 100%, so I gained self-determination, helped others, led the pursuit of social benefits, became a 'wealthy' person, and acquired 'money,' a means to help others. Since I did it, you can do it too."