PPB March 2016

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Mother, father and daughter
trio Judy, Andy and Michelle
Chen, who founded Fossa
Apparel (UPIC: FOSSA) in
2006, are the little engines of
their own success story—one
that has evolved to employ 20
full-time employees and 12
multi-line representatives around
the country.
The Chens moved to
California from Taiwan in 1996
seeking better opportunities for
their children. “My parents have
always been in the textile indus-
try,” says Michelle Chen. “My
mother was a broker/agent in
Taiwan and dealt with retail and
private label brands. When we
came here she tried to work [the
business in Taiwan], but it was
too hard and eventually she sold
her portion of the business to my
uncles.”
Michelle says her parents
stopped working for a number of
years; eventually, they realized
they needed a steady source of
income.
Stumbling Into The Industry
Judy and Andy tried a num-
ber of different jobs before stum-
bling into the promotional prod-
ucts industry. “A family friend
who sold electronic gadgets led
IN THE FAMOUS CHILDREN’S picture book The Little Engine That Could,
an unlikely little locomotive engine agrees to try to pull a long train over a high
mountain after bigger engines refuse, by motivating himself with repetitive, posi-
tive thoughts: “I think I can, I think I can.”
HOW FOSSA APPAREL BECAME THE LITTLE COMPANY THAT COULD
By Julie Richie
FAMILY AFFAIR
The Fossa family team (from left to
right), Will Tang, Michelle Chen ,
Andy Chen, Judy Chen and Eric
Chen model Fossa Apparel items.
This Ladies’ Stratus
puffer jacket is one of
Fossa’s top sellers.
14 • PPB • MARCH 2016 INNOVATE
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