July 1, 2024 • 56 mins
This episode we're joined by returning guest ONCH. A multi-talented artist and jewelry designer. ONCH is a creative artist based in Los Angeles who makes amazing wearable art that goes beyond regular fashion. His unique pieces have been featured in a Biotechnology textbook by David P. Clark and in Vogue, as well as displayed in prestigious places like the MET Museum.
In this episode, we chat about:
- vulnerability, authenticity, and the evolving nature of social media
- collaborating with legacy brands like Keith Haring
- his experiences overcoming bullying, and turning trauma into creative success
- the importance of persistence
- balancing personal and work life
- building community through raw, unfiltered content
- the value of staying true to oneself and inspiring others through genuine human connection
You can find our guest at:
- Instagram: @onch
- Website: www.onch.us
- X: @onch
- Tiktok: @onchtv
You can follow me at:
- Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi
- YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi
- Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: yellowglitterpodcast.substack.com
- Visit our website yellowglitterpodcast.com
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
ONCH (00:00):
I think one of the main things I learned in the past year about
myself is it is okay to be vulnerable.
It is okay to put yourself outthere without curating it so much.
People should look at you as a normalhuman, not somebody that has superpowers,
because that is not realistic.
I'm only setting myself up to failif I build up a storyline such.
(00:20):
And I actually love this version somuch more than what it was before.
Because now I can pick up the phoneand, you know, the second I wake up
and record something and feel so freeand liberating to just post it without
feeling, wait, what filter should I use?
Should I make my nose smaller or shouldI put on some makeup to look perfect?
Or nobody really cares.
(00:40):
I think that we relateto human, relate to.
You know, people that areraw and I'm presenting that
right now, which is so free.
Steven Wakabayashi (01:09):
Hi everyone, my name is Steven Wakabayashi and
you're listening to Yellow Glitter,perspectives from queer Asian creatives
and change makers making impact.
This episode we're joinedby our returning guest ONCH.
Welcome ONCH.
ONCH (01:23):
Hi, thank you for having me.
Steven Wakabayashi: Thanks for coming back. (01:24):
undefined
For us, ONCH is a multi talented artistand jewelry designer based in LA.
His unique pop out tri aesthetic blendselements of pop culture, fantasy,
and humor in unique highbrow kitschydesigns that capture the imagination.
ONCH often features whimsical charactersand unconventional materials such
(01:46):
as candies, toys, chicken wings.
And found objects.
His work has been featured in museumssuch as Metropolitan Museum of Art
and worn by celebrities like ParisHilton, Kate Moss, and Nicki Minaj.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Hi!
Welcome back to my channel!
Steven Wakabayashi (02:01):
Well,
thanks for coming back.
ONCH (02:06):
That was a mouthful.
Steven Wakabayashi (02:07):
That was a mouthful, yeah.
What else is a mouthful?
ONCH (02:11):
I don't know, you tell me.
Steven Wakabayashi (02:15):
Uh, many things, but you know what else is a mouthful?
All the stuff you've beendoing this past year.
ONCH (02:24):
Listen, I've been working really hard trying to...
you know, keep my legacy alive andhopefully when I'm gone, I'll be
remembered for a couple more years.
Steven Wakabayashi (02:35):
Just, just a few more years, yes.
ONCH (02:37):
I
cannot.
Steven Wakabayashi (02:37):
But as your friend and also collaborator, seeing
you work and hustle from afar, Ithink there's some really great
things that you did this year, right?
In collaboration with KeithHaring, Hollywood 100.
Uh, it was huge, uh, as a part of your,uh, pipeline of projects last year
since we last talked about dreams.
(03:00):
And I just wanted to ask,how was it collaborating and
working with these brands?
ONCH (03:05):
You know, it's definitely a dream come true, Steven.
I think to be able to work withlegacy brands and iconic landmarks,
it's an ONCH 20 years ago wouldhave never imagined that I could do.
And I think it's definitelypart of my manifestation.
Looking back to our last podcast.
For working with Keith Haring,he is a legacy artist and
I've always looked up to him.
(03:26):
He is the person that I idolize.
So, um, being highly inspired byhim, creating art with his foundation
was just such a dream come true.
To be able to take his iconicimages and reimagine it in my way.
And my style was so surreal.
(03:46):
And, um, the pieces that wecreated were liquid necklaces.
So like necklaces with liquid insideof it, that's ever moving and flowing.
And I truly believe in metamorphosis.
So when a necklace is alwayschanging because of your movement,
to me, that is very special.
Steven Wakabayashi (04:02):
Yeah.
ONCH (04:03):
Now they're available on my website.
They're available at the BroadMuseum, Olka Museum, the Andy
Warhol Museum, just to name a few.
So, um, and I think, didn't Igive you the couple of pieces?
Steven Wakabayashi (04:14):
You gave me a couple of pieces.
Uh, I think everyone has to havea friend that always brings gifts.
ONCH, whenever we hangout, always brings goodies.
And sometimes I'm like, Ohmy God, this was so nice.
And you gifted me the KeithHaring, Keith Haring necklaces.
And whenever I go to special events, Iactually put them on, and when people ask
(04:36):
me about it, I proudly say, this is ONCH.
ONCH (04:40):
Well, thank you.
You're such a good friend.
Hey, listen, I think it's definitelypart of my love language as
an Asian American growing up.
Steven Wakabayashi (04:47):
Mm hmm.
ONCH (04:48):
You know, my family didn't tell me they loved me.
Steven Wakabayashi (04:50):
Mm hmm.
ONCH (04:51):
I
think that maybe we wentthrough the same experience.
And because of that, The way that theyshowed me love was putting food on my
table and giving me, yeah, giving memoney and to me as an adult, I have
to, I wouldn't say unlearn that, butdefinitely add new ways that I show
my love, which gone gifting, but alsotelling you, Hey, Steven, I love you
(05:11):
and you're my friend and I cherish you.
So these are things that I'velearned throughout the year.
So yes, gifting issomething special to me.
So you're always on the receiving end.
Steven Wakabayashi (05:21):
Uh, well, I receive it graciously, and, uh,
you also gifted me recently, uh,your collab with the Creme Shop.
Your nail stickers.
I actually have some on still.
ONCH (05:33):
Oh
my god!
I love that!
Steven Wakabayashi (05:34):
From when we were, we were last hanging out.
ONCH (05:38):
It lasted a long time.
You don't work too muchwith your hands, right?
Steven Wakabayashi (05:41):
Right?
It actually lasted a long, andI went to, uh, Austin, I went to
Dallas, and it's still on my finger.
ONCH (05:48):
Wow, amazing.
I mean, mine's still We'regone a day and a half later.
Steven Wakabayashi (05:53):
No, really?
ONCH (05:55):
Yeah, but also cause I work so heavily with my hands.
Like you're making jewelry and all that.
It gets scratched, it gets peeled off.
So it's very much that, but.
Yeah, that was a really specialcollaboration for me to team up with a
Hollywood sign and a Hollywood Chamberof Commerce and kind of do, I would
say like maybe six or seven co brandedcollaborations with brands that I
personally love from the Kremshoff to Keyand, you know, with one of my friends,
(06:19):
Gary Baseman, and created so manywonderful spot acts across the board.
It was very special.
To partner up with a landmark thatis not just nine letters, but a dream
feeling, a lifestyle, was so muchof a challenge because there really
isn't a lot for me to work withexcept for my personal experiences.
(06:43):
And to kind of translate that froma feeling, an experience, into
an illustration, a whole styleguide, was definitely a challenge.
Steven Wakabayashi (06:54):
Yeah, but, you know, the whole repertoire
of stuff that you did.
Actually, for just your oneperson shop is, how do you do it?
Like,
ONCH (07:09):
You know, it's a lot of a passion
and
a lot of believing in myselfthat anything can happen.
And I've seen you grow andevolve as a creator, as an
individual, as a business owner.
Inspiring me to do better and do more.
Do I have dark circles undermy eye 95 percent of the time?
Yeah.
(07:30):
Do I wish that I had a big team behind me?
Sure.
But I think at the end of theday, I know that I'm hustling for
myself and for my legacy alive.
And that ultimately is what drives meevery day to do the most and do the best.
Steven Wakabayashi (07:45):
Yeah.
Well, talk me through, I seein your background a bunch
of different skateboards anda bunch of different things.
Do you want to share a little bitabout maybe a few of those pieces?
ONCH (07:58):
Sure.
I'm the ultimate poser.
I don't know how to skate, butI do have a skateboard deck
wall because I designed them.
To me, it is wall art.
And I feel like when people are buying apiece of art, when it's printed on paper,
that is so like 2012, you know, now we'reon Maplewood and so it'll last forever.
(08:21):
But truth be told, I have to kind ofbring up why this even came about.
So, and I think I probably told youthe story, you know, behind the scene,
but I think it was back in 2021.
I was heavily bullied when I was
on
a platform that I wasdoing live selling on.
And this person specificallythat bullied me.
Really kind of drove me into depression.
(08:42):
I decided to never go back on thatplatform because they did not have my back
and chose to go on to Network, which is avery IP kind of platform where all their
buyers like skateboard decks or sneakers.
You know, as a small business, I cannotafford to make sneakers, so instead
I started making skateboard decks.
So I think that it's kind of those thingswhere I took a really bad experience,
(09:08):
And made a lot of money from it.
Steven Wakabayashi (09:12):
You heard it here, folk, turn your trauma into dollars, but
they're
beautiful, you know,
ONCH (09:20):
visually and, you know, my bank account.
But I also think that, youknow, it's one of those things
where I hope it inspires others.
To take all the hardships that I've beenthrough and, you know, people bullying
you or just the trauma that you had inyour life and make something amazing
out of it because that is the ultimatesuccess and ultimate F U to the people
that have put you in that position.
(09:41):
And
so for what you're
seeing,
we have
the QTB collaboration.
We have the Little Prince collaboration.
We have Gloomy Bear and we have,as you can see, AAPI Month.
I did a co branded project with Hot Topic.
So I kind of put those on.
Skateboard decks also, but all togetherI have I think 25 skateboards so far,
and you know, I don't want to look like askate shop, so I only have 10 on my wall.
Steven Wakabayashi (10:05):
Maybe you could do something there.
It's like a collection, or it's a,maybe there's something to explore,
just like bringing it all together.
I think that's actually really cool.
ONCH (10:17):
I think so too.
I actually have all of them in my archive.
So, you know, I, at some point I'd liketo be able to show a skateboard exhibition
from a person that does not skate.
I think that's such a funny story.
And, um, you know.
Something that's very ironic.
Steven Wakabayashi (10:34):
Or it's like a, like a runway show and everyone
walks out with a skateboard withalso some pieces of relevant jewelry.
ONCH (10:42):
Okay, naked with jewelry and skateboard.
Steven Wakabayashi (10:44):
Yes, yes, yes.
ONCH (10:47):
No, I love that very much.
Steven Wakabayashi (10:51):
And also lately I've been seeing you
on social media all the time.
And for everyone listening andwatching, when I'm on TikTok randomly
at the most honest hours of theday, speaking of hustling, I'm just
on TikTok live at like one in themorning hustling and selling jewelry.
(11:15):
And it's been a huge shift,right, for yourself, especially
we've chatted about it.
Uh, together about this, um, space ofsocial media and navigating it, you know,
and the platform like you mentioned thatyou were initially on and you departed
was another social media platformthat was commerce centered, right?
(11:36):
And then moving into different spaces,one, I love seeing you thrive, and
it just always brings me so muchjoy to see you really shining.
I think you actually do such a great jobof creating such a beautiful atmosphere on
your live streams and also your content.
Some are really, really hilarious.
And I mean, my question to you is, whathas that transition been like in trying
(12:02):
to reconcile and create a new relationshipwith social spaces and social media.
ONCH (12:09):
I think, you know, that transition was very scary, to be honest.
I think that when it comes to anychange, There's always a lot of
fear involved, but without fear,it just means that you're not going
to try your best and do your best.
And so I do like to seea little bit of that.
Um, with that said, I see how the waysocial media is changing and the way
(12:32):
that influencer culture is changing andpeople like authentic, people like real.
And so that's what when, you know,when I was, you encouraged by a
couple of friends to go on TikTok.
I was so afraid because I thinkthat, you know, a lot of times
my image was very curated.
I try to make sure I put outa specific kind of message and
(12:53):
operates very much like a brand.
But I think in 2024, it's a verydifferent space that we're in.
And as a creator, I have to evolveand I have to keep on changing
to make sure that I am relatable.
So with that said, as a small businessowner, I realized that showing people
(13:14):
behind the scene, bringing people alongwith me from the creating process to
the manufacturing process, to seeing thefinal product and shooting a promo of
products is such a vital part of success.
People want to see that you are a oneman show and you are creating stuff
from scratch and you don't have ahuge team of people behind you making
(13:36):
things happen, you're just guidingthem or creative directing them.
And that was scary because I wantedto, you know, not gonna lie, for so
many years, I wanted to have peoplethink that I have a lot of elves
in my studio making things happen.
I have an Andy Warhol factory with a bunchof minions that are making art happen.
(13:59):
And, you know, because I thought thatthat would keep my mystery alive.
But I don't think it'sabout mystery right now.
I think it's about really beingtransparent about hard work you put in and
how hands on you are with your business.
People relate to that.
People gravitate towards that storyand they really want to support
(14:21):
somebody that is working so hard.
So I was going to say, when I selljewelry until three o'clock in the
morning and in a setting that is soraw, it's because at the end of the
day, I realized that people want to.
Buy a product from another human.
They want to buy it from someonethat they can really relate to and
(14:43):
know that we're friends and I'mmaking so many new friends on TikTok.
The algorithm is on another level ofamazing and I'm creating a community.
And that to me is so.
Steven Wakabayashi (14:55):
Where do you think social media is headed?
ONCH (14:58):
I think social media is headed to.
A place where there is no editing,there is no filter, and it is
so raw because we're so tiredof looking at transparent beads.
We're so tired of lookingat that perfect light.
We've seen that for at least 15years now, and we're tired of it.
(15:21):
Aren't you tired of it?
Steven Wakabayashi (15:23):
It's exhausting.
ONCH (15:25):
Yeah.
And the FOMO that it creates,it's so mentally draining and And
really bad for our mental health.
Steven Wakabayashi (15:35):
Do you see the same thing also with Instagram or
do you see a stark divide betweenTikTok and Instagram still?
ONCH (15:44):
So I think Instagram is still so curated.
I think it is something that the peoplethat are heavily using Instagram will
have to unlearn how they navigate.
I remember back in the day whenInstagram first started, posted our food.
We posted this random, uh, sitting ona couch and like, up a ceiling, you
(16:08):
know, with all these random things.
And that was so interesting.
Steven Wakabayashi (16:11):
I think
that was the most authenticthat platform had ever been.
ONCH (16:15):
Well, I agree.
I agree.
And that was so much fun.
And that's why I think thatthat's where we are shifting to.
And TikTok to me is very much that.
Where when you go on each TikTokaccount, yes, they might have a common.
um, seam of a person, but that'sjust how each individual are.
We're all uniquely our own, we havethings that we would like to talk about
(16:37):
in our point of view, our perspective, butit's not as curated, it's not beautiful.
There are things and stuff thatare thrown in randomly and that
I think is the beauty of TikTok
and the beauty of thesocial media in the future.
And not gonna lie, I think that eventhe way that people are buying products
and, and being driven and inspiredto buy something, it's no longer, I
(17:03):
guess it's no longer, um, influencer
driven.
Because now we know betterthat influencers are being paid
a lot of money to talk about
a
product.
But what is so beautiful about TikTok iseveryone can be in an affiliated program.
Everybody can be their own influencer.
So I love seeing mothers from the Midwestsitting there talking about this chapstick
(17:25):
they bought from a small business.
I love seeing this random grandmothersitting there talking about a box
of cereal that they really enjoy andlove and they get compensated for it.
And what is so great about thatis they're not getting compensated
before they use a product.
They're getting compensated after theylove the product so much and they are
able to really, you know, tell you.
And that, to me, is the trueinfluence of the people.
Steven Wakabayashi (17:50):
Is anyone an influencer?
ONCH (17:53):
I think everyone's an influencer and everybody is a somebody.
Steven Wakabayashi (17:58):
And what is something that you've learned over this past
year about yourself through socialmedia and getting your work out there?
in either like, uh, a more authenticway or in a live stream manner?
ONCH (18:22):
I think one of the main things I learned in the past year about myself
is it's, it is okay to be vulnerable.
It is okay to put yourself outthere without curating it so much.
People should look at you as a normalhuman, not somebody that has superpower,
because that is not realistic.
I'm only setting myself up to fail if Ibuilt up a storyline such, um, I actually
(18:45):
love this version so much more than whatit was before, because now I can pick up
the phone and, you know, the second I wakeup and record something and feel so free
and liberating to just post it withoutfeeling, wait, what filter should I use?
Should I make my nose smaller or shouldI put on some makeup to look perfect?
Or,
you know, what about my hair?
(19:05):
Nobody really cares.
I think that we relate to human, relateto, you know, people that are raw.
And I, I'm presentingthat right now, which.
It's so free.
Steven Wakabayashi (19:16):
Mm.
Why?
Why do we curate ourselves if allof this right is freely available?
We have access to it withoutreally even trying, right,
in the form that we are now.
Why do you think we were soheavily curated with our lives?
ONCH (19:39):
I think there are two things that make us the way we are, curating every
little piece of information we put out.
I think the first onecomes from insecurities.
We all want to be perfect,whatever that means.
We all want to share a perfect life,a perfect world, a perfect smile.
(20:01):
And I think now we'verealized nothing is perfect.
There's flaws in everything, even if it'sa hundred percent, or maybe nine percent.
And I think the fact, the second thingis judgment, judgment from others.
And I think judgment from othersmakes you, which ties back to you in
(20:21):
securities, makes you feel like youneed to present yourself in a way.
Where others will click thelike button and click the
share button or save your post.
I think those are the two things.
Steven Wakabayashi (20:34):
Mm
hmm.
Yeah, I think,
well, how I relate to it, I totallysee exactly what you're saying.
But for myself, and I've talked aboutthis on the podcast before, of speaking
on behalf of many Debatable topics,ending up with, you know, the context was
(21:00):
there were some things I was witnessing,wrote some articles about it, I got
some content out, spoke about, youknow, the Asian culture and standing
for it, and community at large, mostlyWesterners, really didn't want to hear it.
And Uh, it went viral, I got a ton ofdeath threats, still to this day I get
(21:20):
like, um, not like once a week as muchanymore, but now I still get a few
messages here and there, um, the articlesaren't as popular as it was, but since
I launched that, that was like a goodlike six years, it was a while ago,
and I think where I struggle with, atleast for myself, is It's, I love the
(21:46):
authenticity and I love watching people'sauthenticity, but even for myself,
you know, as, um, running my business,doing all of these things, it's just so
hard to get back in the space becausethere's also people who are so nasty,
you know?
And it's just been so, um, you know me.
(22:08):
It's just I think it's so valuable tohave so many of these conversations,
but sometimes I feel like socialmedia is really hard to have true,
genuine, in depth conversation.
So I guess not like a question, butmore so just the observation is that
like we have also authenticity, but alsobehind it there's this whole machine
(22:32):
that really thrives off of vitriol,hate speech, Twitter is all mostly that.
And I'm just curious, you know, I guessthe question is like, on top of all this,
like, how are you navigating all of that?
ONCH (22:49):
Let me clear my throat a little.
Well, I think that when you're livingyour authentic self, there's always people
coming for you and try to tear you down.
One thing that I always remember whensomebody said, ONCH, when you shine
so bright, there's always going to besomebody that wants to dim your light.
(23:09):
And.
I think that's very true.
But with that said, is it scary and isit dangerous sometimes to speak your
truth and, and be authentically yourself?
Yes, I think so.
Because there's so many out there thateither are envious that you're able
to do so, or maybe they are hidingwho they really are and you living
(23:32):
your authentic self scares them.
I applaud you for puttingyourself out there in that way.
And I definitely feel like anybodythat's willing and are able to put
themselves out there, speak the truthand speak how they really feel about,
you know, whatever subject matterit could be, they deserve an award.
(23:55):
Because I think for me specifically,I focus on my small business.
Steven Wakabayashi (24:00):
Yeah.
ONCH (24:01):
I don't talk about political stuff.
I don't talk about any, So polarizing.
I think being myself is already prettypolarizing, and so I just, you know.
Steven Wakabayashi (24:11):
But it's also, I mean, I'll say, I think it's, I think
it's fair to create boundaries, right?
Of like, authenticity doesn'talso mean you have to share
everything and anything, right?
ONCH (24:21):
I think it's, you know, we are not multi millionaires yet.
We don't have 25 hour security yet.
And when that day Well, sure,go ahead and share every part
and every aspect of your life.
And geotag everything.
But until that day comes, I thinkit's smart to always protect yourself.
Knowing that whenever you putout there, it can be tracked
back to you as an individual.
(24:42):
Your location can be found.
And, you know, you don't wantto put yourself in danger.
I think that it's what is a littlescary about social media too is that
people can find you and you get annoyed.
Steven Wakabayashi (24:53):
Especially the live stream part of it too.
It's live, this is exactly what'shappening, this is exactly where you are.
ONCH (25:02):
No filter.
Steven Wakabayashi (25:03):
No filter, yeah.
It's I think what's fascinating is alsowe're more connected than ever before.
And what I personally like is also theaspect about video, you add another
dimensionality to people, right?
Whereas before, like it had to do a lotwith like, internet services, right?
(25:24):
Like, you had to have internetbe more accessible and priced so
that people can have data plans.
When data plans were unlimited,then you get more content
being on their phone, right?
You remember, like, back in the day,it's like, data was so expensive
and now it just comes default.
Now they don't even havephones with phone lines, right?
It's just all data, especially in China.
(25:46):
And I think there's so manylayers of all of the, going back
to the curation piece, right?
I think we were trying so hard tocreate this carefully curated image
of each other as a part of navigatinghow we want to show up in the world.
And now it's almost like the door is open.
ONCH (26:07):
Yeah.
Steven Wakabayashi: There's a camera there. (26:08):
undefined
And I applaud people who.
Can show up as in themselves.
I see some TikTok accounts.
I'm like, you have a lot of guts.
ONCH (26:21):
We'll see you for sure.
Steven Wakabayashi (26:23):
Some people, but what are you, I also love like, it's
now like, you know what I really loveabout TikTok is the whole aesthetics
piece is getting really torn down.
The whole, I have to be skinny, Ihave to be lighter skinned, I have
to be beautiful, I have to, Like, allof that is getting torn down because
ONCH (26:44):
Isn't that
beautiful?
Steven Wakabayashi (26:45):
Mm hmm.
ONCH (26:45):
Isn't that so beautiful to see?
Steven Wakabayashi (26:47):
Mm hmm.
ONCH (26:48):
Where, where we're going and people are getting just
mentally healthier because of that?
Steven Wakabayashi (26:53):
Yeah.
ONCH (26:53):
I love, I love it so much.
Steven Wakabayashi (26:56):
Yeah, and I, I think, I think it's headed in a more
positive way, um, and I, I, I thinkAlso, there's a lot we can still learn
with the platforms and how bullying andharassment is addressed, you know, but
I, uh, you know, I just remembered whatI was saying was, especially for you and
(27:18):
myself, being queer, being Asian, I thinkit's like what I've learned over my, how
many years I've reconciled my relationshipwith social media and also my businesses.
Like we're slowly startingto put stuff out is.
Going back to your point, thisneed to be really mindful at how
(27:38):
we protect our sanctity, protectour space, protect our energy.
ONCH (27:44):
I agree.
If you don't protect yourself,who's gonna protect you?
Steven Wakabayashi (27:49):
And I love the whole aspect of, um, when you shine so
brightly that other people want to dim it.
Why do you think people do that?
I, I see that, like, for me, a bigpart of my growth with even friendships
was having to reconcile friends.
Who really wanted to do that, youknow, not just strangers, right?
ONCH (28:10):
You know, we can explain low caliber people.
I think it's really hard to explain that.
But there are a couple of thingsthat comes to mind is from their
insecurity and from being afraid.
Maybe they're afraid that it's youare living this life and more people
are living their authentic self,they are going to be left behind
(28:30):
because they have all these wallsand facades that is scary to them.
I'm sure being envious.
I think that is just because.
They don't see that they'reable to do what you do.
And instead they want to dim your light.
They want to take you down becausethey feel like that's their power,
that them taking their power back.
(28:52):
When I look at these people.
You know, there's, there'sso many of them out there.
I just say my little prayer tomyself, thank you that I'm able to be
authentically myself and be, you know,comfortable with my own skin and I
hope that they will too at some point.
Steven Wakabayashi (29:09):
What else do you tell yourself or remind
yourself of that keep you going?
ONCH (29:13):
You know, truth be told, I have a lot of self reminders every day because
I do have severe imposter syndrome.
So I always tell myself that I am great,and I am working on all the greatness
that's on my way, and I can do it.
A lot of times when I'mgiven a task or a project.
(29:34):
I know it's beyond what myabilities are, but I say yes to it
because I love a good challenge.
And when that happens, I haveto consistently remind myself
that I can deal with it.
Anybody else can doit, I can do it better.
And I also always remind my friendsis if I can do it, you can do it.
Steven Wakabayashi (29:54):
I think after having known you for so many years,
One, I think the world of you.
I think you're so talented.
I think you're so, also, kind.
Um, over the years I've really seenyour practice mature in the sense of,
I think, actually, Hollywood 100 was areally great example for your work, right?
(30:18):
Where it went from, this is what I can do,to this is who I can bring along with me.
And I think for just watching fromthe outside in, you creating space
for others to collaborate, platformingother people, giving people opportunity.
I thought it was such a beautifulevolution of your work and as a
(30:44):
person to just be able to do that?
It makes me even want tolike consistently, you know,
ask myself like who I can.
So
ONCH (30:53):
when you are doing that, you know, the yellow glitter you're providing
people like us with a voice and a spacefor us to talk about our experiences.
This in itself is so magical.
I hope that you giveyourself credit for this.
And I know that we believe in the samething, which is, is lonely on top.
(31:14):
So what a pyramid.
If you're at the top 1 percent of the mostsuccessful people in the world, everyone
else is below you and beneath you.
And what you have to do to not bealone and not friends is make sure that
everybody is elevated along with you.
So if you hold their hand and you flyout, they say, hey, listen, come with me
(31:34):
because we're going to succeed together.
It is so much more fun when you cango on a vacation and go to a dinner
where everyone is contributing to it asopposed to the most successful person.
Paying for the meal.
That correct?
You will feel resentment at the end.
Group of friends are relying on youfor your success and kind of using
(31:56):
your wealth that you have, you startfeeling resentment and I think what is
so great is to be able to bring yourfriends along and work together because
at the end of the day, that's also howyou create the most unbreakable bond.
It's by working together and partneringup to create something to work on
a common goal, which is success.
Steven Wakabayashi (32:16):
Hmm.
What do you say to people who saythey need to have boundaries between
like personal life and work life?
I feel like as far as myself goes, uh,and I see overlaps with you is I actually
see as things mature in differentaspects, they all kind of converge.
(32:38):
At least for myself, where it's like,I actually want to be friends with the
people I work with, and vice versa.
Why would I want to be friends with peopleI don't want to work with, you know?
And why would I want to work withpeople I don't want to be friends with?
And I, I feel like As things mature,even on the relationship front, right?
(32:59):
Like, why would I want tobe with somebody who I can't
share these aspects of my life?
And they're all, I feel that thingsare more and more converging, whereas
before, easily, like 15 years ago,that Steven 20 years ago, that Steven
would be like, no, this is this,this is this, and this is this.
ONCH (33:19):
This is such an interesting conversation.
I'm so glad you brought this up.
I actually was talking to a friend of mineand I said, I love my work friends better
because we are working on a common goal.
We share common experience
and
we're able to have a lot of subjectmatters to talk about within work
and outside of work, because weactually do, you know, behind, behind
(33:42):
our video chats and, and after.
And to me, I think that isa very special friendship.
And most of my friends, I think youincluded, we started from the works thing.
And we started to just getto know each other more.
We love each other.
And so we are able togo out and have dinners.
And then that's how ourbonds starting to grow.
(34:03):
And now I know that we're not going tobe, we're not going to ever be apart.
I think people that work with me for areason, a season, a lifetime, And for
all of work friends, I think they'rebrought in for a reason, in return, after
a long time of working together, nowthey're lifelong friends, they're lifers.
(34:24):
Yes, I think that, you know, in the pastwe believed in having really separate work
life balance and boundaries and puttingeverybody in, you know, different boxes,
but I don't think that's the case anymore.
We're able to find like minded people.
Why are you trying to drive themaway because they work with you?
(34:45):
I think it's like, it's like theuniverse's TikTok algorithm, you
Steven Wakabayashi (34:49):
know?
Oh, that's a good one.
That's a good one.
No, it's true.
It's, it's, I think there's somethingreally special about what you just said.
It's like, it's not the fact that you'retrying to Keep things separate, but you're
almost putting people in a box, right?
Like, why keep that personin the friendship box?
(35:11):
You don't know if they couldbe a good collaborator, a good
client, a good colleague, right?
Why put the friend in the friend boxand keep them in there, you know?
I think that that's kind of an aha momentwhere it's like it's not holding them
apart, but rather you just have such adesignated role for them that's really
(35:33):
keeping you apart from realizing truepotential slash fluidity of people and
their beings and their personalities.
ONCH (35:42):
And I'm not saying that there's no boundary, and this is what I've
always done to my friends that I'vemet through work, is if I'm reaching
them, reaching out to them about workspecific conversation, I'm gonna text
them and go, Hey, Can we have a work call?
And after that I would texthim and go, Hey, this is
going to be a friendship call.
I think that is how you set yourboundaries and make sure it doesn't get
(36:06):
interwoven together and feelings don'tget hurt because I know sometimes work
conversations are a little tougher.
Than the friendship conversation, sowhen you set those boundaries and say,
Hey, this is going to be your friendshipcall, they know where you're coming from.
That is how you're able to protect yourfriendship and keep it alive and make
sure that it doesn't get so complicated.
Steven Wakabayashi (36:27):
Yeah, that's so true.
And I think it's another level of trust.
When you can give each other sometimeshard feedback, or feedback that's hard to
hear as a friend, like, the list goes onof whichever spheres people occupy, and I
(36:49):
think the world is so, what is definite?
You know, there is nothing reallydefinite, and at the same time, like,
how do we know what's best, wherepeople should go, and I think the more
open minded we could be, even like 20years from now, from today, I would
never in my wildest dreams be thinkingI'm doing what I'm doing today, right?
ONCH (37:15):
Don't limit your possibilities.
Don't limit your potential.
Steven Wakabayashi (37:18):
No.
What were you doing 20 years ago?
I
ONCH (37:22):
was a New York wingman.
I've been so hard coming.
Old friend, but he used todo a reality television show.
And you know, that's when it happened.
Oh,
Steven Wakabayashi (37:34):
Okay, but I have to give you, I have to give you accolade.
I, I really think, I really think,like, like you've really Evolved
is not the right word, but Ithink you've become more realized.
I think you've had these facets of youall along, but you've become so much
more realized as a being over the years.
ONCH (37:58):
I think so.
I think experience makes you grow andmature and practice makes improvement.
One of those things that I realized fromthe past life, which is 20 years ago,
and being on reality television is I wasbeing a fantasy myself and I was living
my real life in a way that is so public.
(38:18):
And right after that, that'swhen social media came about.
So, I started kind of curatingeverything that I'm putting out there.
Which was so unrealistic.
So, to be honest, right nowI'm back to my square one.
I'm back to where I started.
It's like a global moment that I can bein my real authentic self on TikTok and
tell my story the way I want to tell it.
(38:40):
Without having the filters andcurated grids, none of that.
Steven Wakabayashi (38:44):
Yeah.
ONCH (38:45):
So, You know, it's interesting how our lives always come full
circle, and I feel like right nowit is one of my come full circle
moments.
Steven Wakabayashi (38:52):
Hmm.
Well, I'm obsessed with that 20 years agoyou, because honestly, you really were
one of the first queer Asian people inmedia, and I think media back in the day
was not the most equitable, not the mostempowering, and for you to have been able
(39:15):
to navigate that and come out the endthat you've come out now, like one, like
I'm so proud of you as a friend, likeit's like so much work in the making.
And also, I think it's trippy.
It's like this full circle moment, youknow, now it's like you're literally back
(39:39):
in the space
for everyone to observe, everyone to lookat, live television, like live streaming.
Yeah.
ONCH (39:47):
You know, I think it's right now, we are all as individuals living
our own reality television show.
Right now, what's great aboutthis show that we're living
in, it is there's no edits.
It's just being yourself and just doingwhat you do best, because people can
and will see right through your BS.
They do.
To try to think that the consumers andyour friends out there will believe
(40:11):
in all of your fabricated storiesand your big persona, you're kidding.
You're just lying to yourself.
Steven Wakabayashi (40:20):
To get to where you are, like what's a
hard truth you had to reconcilewith and learn along the way that
really changed you for the better?
ONCH (40:34):
I think the hard truth that I had to learn.
Nothing ever will be perfect.
See, that, if it's 80 percent there.
Be grateful and be content.
What you're putting out there,what you're creating or your life.
(40:54):
Because what we have seen for thepast 10 years through social media,
it's
all perfection.
And it's all fake.
We've seen these people with 3.
5 million followers.
That can't sell oneproduct to save their life.
1.
2 million followers that are broke.
And not to say that there'sanything wrong with that.
(41:15):
What I'm saying is.
It's all curated.
It's all fabricated.
It is not realistic.
Steven Wakabayashi (41:21):
Mm hmm.
Not relatable.
ONCH (41:24):
No.
Steven Wakabayashi (41:25):
If you could change something back in the day, or
give yourself a little, give yourselfthe lesson in learning, like the
perfectionism piece is really good, wouldthere be anything you'd do differently?
ONCH (41:42):
Have no fear.
Don't let fear be the limiting factor.
Um, factor to do something, say something,ask the question, be bold enough to do
it, because ultimately you can never fail.
I think that I was definitely drivenby fear a lot of times because
(42:04):
I'm too afraid that if I ask thisquestion, I might seem stupid.
I'm too afraid if I reached out to aspecific person, then they would say
Steven Wakabayashi (42:12):
no.
ONCH (42:13):
Yeah, I'm too afraid of so many different things.
I'm afraid to You know, goon this adventure because
I'm afraid of getting hurt.
You know, life is too short.
Life is too short.
And I've realized that the fears thathave held me back were just all mental.
None
of those are real.
Those are all, you know, your,your mind playing tricks on you.
(42:37):
So to tell my younger self, gofor it would be my biggest thing.
Steven Wakabayashi (42:43):
Would you say the little ONCH?
The photo.
Oh, you know what?
You know what the thought was?
I was thinking the wholeperfectionist piece.
I was like, that's actually very zen.
That's very Buddhist.
You know, in a way that's like agreed.
Because what they would say is,you know, what is perfection?
At what point is perfection?
(43:04):
Can you pinpoint whenperfection is, you know?
And the whole aspect of it's all relevant.
It's all relevant.
Exactly relevant.
And there's no such thingas perfectionism and.
The reality is also, like, the future andthe past are not for sure, for certain,
because it is not right now, you know?
(43:26):
Past is what's happened in the past, wecan't relive it as much as we want, but
also the future, we can be in the futurein our minds, but beyond what's in our
thinking capacity and imagination, Itisn't this at this moment, this tangible
being, you know, how we're at this moment,at this certain point, and What I really
(43:53):
appreciated about like mindfulness andBuddhist philosophy is really the aspect
of understanding, acknowledging that sothat you can be more present and be more
mindful about right now, here and now.
And I love the things about, youknow, having less fear and all that.
Like what is fear?
Aside from anticipating thisfuture and having these anxious
(44:17):
feelings come up, right?
ONCH (44:20):
Agree.
Steven Wakabayashi (44:21):
And it isn't for certain, right?
Right.
Yeah.
What is fear?
Some people say it's like physiologicallythe same, like reaction your body has
like anxiety, fear, and also excitement.
And that contextually we say one is theother based on like, if, if it's something
that, you know, it is unexpected,we don't know what it is, right?
(44:45):
Technically still, who knows ifit's fear or excitement, you know?
ONCH (44:49):
True.
Steven Wakabayashi (44:50):
Yeah.
ONCH (44:50):
So true.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You know, I, you know, for all the viewersand listeners out there you're younger.
I just want to tell you, don'thave fear to do anything.
Go out and ask the person you want to be.
Don't, don't be afraid of rejection.
Don't be afraid to fail.
If you want to have, you know, if you wantto start your own business, go for it.
Go do it.
You don't have to have the mostperfect business plan because at
(45:12):
the end of the day, if you fail,that's a lesson you'll learn.
And the next time you doit, you'll do it better.
Always want to encourage everyone,and like I said earlier before, if
I can do it, you can do it better.
Because you're learning from myexperience and my failing and my mistake.
Steven Wakabayashi (45:28):
The irony too is when we're younger, that's when we are
also able to make the most mistakesand recover and change, you know.
And yet we hold the mostfear when we're younger.
ONCH (45:42):
But I think it's also because when we're younger, we're not as
knowledgeable, we're not as experienced.
So in return, the fear seemsso much more realistic.
And that's the cycle.
I think that, you know, as you getolder, as you mature, as you've
experienced more with people.
You start to realize that noneof those are real, those are
(46:04):
all just made up, make believe.
Steven Wakabayashi (46:06):
You've read about it, somebody's told you, you know, you've
imagined it, um, I guess the question is,like, what would, it's a hypothetical,
like, question, you don't have toanswer, but it's like, asking everyone,
it's like, what would your life be?
(46:27):
if you were to live it fearlessly?
ONCH (46:30):
Yeah, what would my life be?
Um, it might be more of a trainwreck.
It might be better.
It might
Steven Wakabayashi (46:37):
*laughing*
ONCH (46:39):
a trainwreck.
It might be good.
I don't know.
You know, which sideyou'll never find out.
Steven Wakabayashi (46:46):
Oh, I'd love that.
I love that.
Quick questions for you.
What is bringing you joy lately?
ONCH (46:53):
Oh, wow.
That's a great question.
I think feeling that I'm working towardsomething greater than myself and
something greater than product creation.
That makes me smile.
What that means is knowing that whatI create today in 10 years time, in 50
(47:19):
years time, people can look back at it andsay, and it can make them feel something.
It could be any, it could behappiness, it could be questioning
why I did it, um, it could beanything as long as they're feeling
something.
That to me is what makesme smile on a daily
basis.
Steven Wakabayashi (47:40):
On top of
that, what is inspiring you lately?
ONCH (47:45):
So I've always been inspired by people in real life.
I think that the characters, especiallyliving in LA, we come across so
many different characters and,and also, Their stories and their
style, they have always inspiredme, and they continue to inspire me.
(48:08):
Not something money can buy, it's notsomething that you can read in a book
or Google on the internet and find.
Steven Wakabayashi (48:14):
Mhmmm
ONCH (48:15):
I think that it's just living your life and meeting all these wild sheeple.
Steven Wakabayashi (48:23):
Quite wild.
And then what is one lesson you'dlike our listeners to take away with?
ONCH (48:33):
One lesson.
One
Steven Wakabayashi: lesson or last takeaway. (48:35):
undefined
ONCH (48:37):
Staying persistent is so important because I see a lot
of people around me that will.
Focus on one thing and be discouragedwhen they don't meet success immediately
and they will switch to somethingelse and move on to another project
and move on to another scenario.
(48:59):
Boyfriend, girlfriend,whatever, location, whatever it
could be.
I think stay persistent because I've beendoing what I do for the past 20 years.
Not been an easy journey,and I think you know that.
And a rollercoaster ride, andfor all of our friends that have
seen me 20 years ago, knows thatI do not love rollercoasters.
(49:19):
It's not my favorite.
It's actually something thatis the biggest fear in my life.
And I didn't, I didn't realize that myrollercoaster as a physical was actually
my fear of, well, life sometimes.
Because it is.
Unpredictable, it is such a thrillingjourney, so I would say be persistent
(49:42):
because at the end of the day, eithermeet success and you're able to attain
everything, every goal you've ever wanted,and that will feel so sweet because
you've worked so hard on it and you putyour heart and your soul and butt into
it,
or you don't meet your goals.
But at the end, have the best lifelesson, best life story to tell.
Steven Wakabayashi (50:03):
Mm.
ONCH (50:03):
And that's something money can't buy.
Steven Wakabayashi (50:07):
Oh, I love that.
And for people who want to find you, getin touch with you, what's the best way?
ONCH (50:15):
Oh my gosh.
So we can find me on my website.
It's www.onch.us because there'sa little ONCH in all of us.
And um, I go to my Instagram, which is@ONCH O N C H, TikTok, which is onchtv
because somebody decided my name.
So it's ONCH Television, andum, Facebook, just type in
(50:38):
ONCH, you'll be able to find me.
What else do we have?
X is also ONCH, O N C
Steven Wakabayashi (50:43):
H
Onlyfans?
No?
ONCH (50:45):
Uh, nope.
Yellow Glitter Podcast.
Steven Wakabayashi (50:48):
Yes.
And so, one other question I have for youis, what's coming up in the year for you?
ONCH (50:56):
There are a lot of fun projects, Steven.
And these are projects that have reallyjust kind of made the young ONCH so proud.
First we're creating aTeletubbies collection.
We are making them queer icons so we'rereleasing a collection of jewelry,
accessories, skateboard decks, and, um,sketch books because I want our friends to
(51:19):
be able to be creative and stay creative.
Um, not by just words butwith illustrations and words.
I wanna keep on kind of encouraging that.
And there is a collection that we'reum, releasing with Why are you shoes?
We're creating shoes together.
Oh, you're finally getting shoes.
I know.
So now you can take a walk in my shoes.
(51:39):
That's a good one.
I'm tuning up with Strawberry Shortcake.
It is the 40th anniversary ofthe Strawberry Shortcake brand.
And I think it's so important to bringnostalgia back into lives of cadel
because, you know, it really triggersand unlocks a special feeling, which
(52:00):
I've always really cherished and I thinkthat's what Strawberry Shortcake does.
I'm teaming up with one of themost famous hot dog companies
in LA called Pink's Hot Dog.
It's interesting because I getto re imagine how hot dogs should
look on a necklace, and on askateboard, and on products.
(52:20):
And that is very exciting.
Steven Wakabayashi (52:22):
Yeah.
ONCH (52:23):
I'm also working on set.
Because as a creator that focuseson accessory, I see like your style
as a big part of your accessory.
Yeah.
Do you realize that people will neverforget how you make them feel, they
will also never forget how you smell?
Steven Wakabayashi (52:39):
Really?
ONCH (52:42):
Yes, think about it.
If you've encountered a person withbad breath or BO, does that leave
a special memory in your mouth?
Hmm,
Steven Wakabayashi (52:51):
that's interesting.
ONCH (52:52):
Yeah.
Steven Wakabayashi (52:52):
Oh.
ONCH (52:55):
So I'm teaming up with Klappa, Klappa
Toys,
to create pig fried chicken.
Mel, Sen, which kind of little payinghomage to the Pigfight Chicken Necklace
and Baby Duenage, we're also creatinga stand called Strawberry Cotton
Candy for anybody that loves somethingthat is sweeter, that's more bubbly.
So, um, those are some of theprojects we're working on.
(53:15):
Oh, never have I ever.
We're creating these press on nailsthat I'm so excited about because
that is another piece of accessorythat I think that people don't realize
that press on nails Are accessories.
As an accessory designer, whichis my specialty, I want to be able
to cover all bases.
Steven Wakabayashi (53:36):
You can wear all of ONCH all at once, too.
Yes.
Get
the nails.
Get the, you know what's next?
Hair.
ONCH (53:44):
Oh my gosh, I would love that.
Yeah.
Like, hair extensions.
Because, you know, I havepretty hair, too, and you.
Maybe that's the thing that wefinally get to collaborate together.
You know what I mean?
I'll be like,
Steven Wakabayashi (53:54):
Mm-Hmm.
ONCH (53:55):
like straight hair with, with like curly hair on the top.
Steven Wakabayashi (53:58):
Perfect.
ONCH (53:59):
And so what you're seeing perfect, but you're actually
like, you know, shaking your head.
You're like, perfect,
. Steven Wakabayashi: Perfect, perfect.
Amazing.
We're believing you're saying yes, but Polylanguage says no.
Steven Wakabayashi (54:11):
Well, it sounds like those are really exciting projects.
And for everyone listening,definitely check out all of ONCH's
offerings throughout the year.
And we'll probably checkin again next year.
See how those went.
ONCH (54:25):
Yep!
Steven Wakabayashi (54:26):
Uh, well, with that, if you like this episode,
leave us a rating and review onyour favorite podcast platform.
And That's how folks find usand discover our episodes.
And if you want to get in touch withus, you can follow us at yellowglitterpd
on socials to give us your thoughtsor any guest recommendation.
(54:47):
Feel free to email usalso from our website.
And then on top, if you're visitingour website, Uh, you can listen
to full episodes, show notes,and transcripts as well there.
ONCH, thank you so muchfor being on again.
Love, love having you.
ONCH (55:04):
Thank you.
And hey, before I head out, I just want tosay, as a collective from our community,
I want to say thank you for giving usthe space and the platform to tell our
stories and speak our truth and reallyshare our experiences with everyone.
Hopefully what you're doing and whatI'm doing is inspiring others to
do better and live a better life.
(55:25):
And I think I just want to say thankyou from every listener and every
guest that's been on your show.
We adore you.
You're doing amazing.
And.
Keep on doing what you do.
You're
killing it.
Steven Wakabayashi (55:39):
I appreciate that.
Well, with that, uh, thankyou everyone for listening.
I hope you got a little bit out of it,a little nugget of wisdom, a little pep
in your step, and a little joyride onyour little rollercoaster of your life.
Thank you.
And with that, we'llchat with y'all later.
(55:59):
Bye now.
I think one of the main things I learned in the past year about
myself is it is okay to be vulnerable.
It is okay to put yourself outthere without curating it so much.
People should look at you as a normalhuman, not somebody that has superpowers,
because that is not realistic.
I'm only setting myself up to failif I build up a storyline such.
(00:20):
And I actually love this version somuch more than what it was before.
Because now I can pick up the phoneand, you know, the second I wake up
and record something and feel so freeand liberating to just post it without
feeling, wait, what filter should I use?
Should I make my nose smaller or shouldI put on some makeup to look perfect?
Or nobody really cares.
(00:40):
I think that we relateto human, relate to.
You know, people that areraw and I'm presenting that
right now, which is so free.
Steven Wakabayashi (01:09):
Hi everyone, my name is Steven Wakabayashi and
you're listening to Yellow Glitter,perspectives from queer Asian creatives
and change makers making impact.
This episode we're joinedby our returning guest ONCH.
Welcome ONCH.
ONCH (01:23):
Hi, thank you for having me.
Steven Wakabayashi: Thanks for coming back. (01:24):
undefined
For us, ONCH is a multi talented artistand jewelry designer based in LA.
His unique pop out tri aesthetic blendselements of pop culture, fantasy,
and humor in unique highbrow kitschydesigns that capture the imagination.
ONCH often features whimsical charactersand unconventional materials such
(01:46):
as candies, toys, chicken wings.
And found objects.
His work has been featured in museumssuch as Metropolitan Museum of Art
and worn by celebrities like ParisHilton, Kate Moss, and Nicki Minaj.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Hi!
Welcome back to my channel!
Steven Wakabayashi (02:01):
Well,
thanks for coming back.
ONCH (02:06):
That was a mouthful.
Steven Wakabayashi (02:07):
That was a mouthful, yeah.
What else is a mouthful?
ONCH (02:11):
I don't know, you tell me.
Steven Wakabayashi (02:15):
Uh, many things, but you know what else is a mouthful?
All the stuff you've beendoing this past year.
ONCH (02:24):
Listen, I've been working really hard trying to...
you know, keep my legacy alive andhopefully when I'm gone, I'll be
remembered for a couple more years.
Steven Wakabayashi (02:35):
Just, just a few more years, yes.
ONCH (02:37):
I
cannot.
Steven Wakabayashi (02:37):
But as your friend and also collaborator, seeing
you work and hustle from afar, Ithink there's some really great
things that you did this year, right?
In collaboration with KeithHaring, Hollywood 100.
Uh, it was huge, uh, as a part of your,uh, pipeline of projects last year
since we last talked about dreams.
(03:00):
And I just wanted to ask,how was it collaborating and
working with these brands?
ONCH (03:05):
You know, it's definitely a dream come true, Steven.
I think to be able to work withlegacy brands and iconic landmarks,
it's an ONCH 20 years ago wouldhave never imagined that I could do.
And I think it's definitelypart of my manifestation.
Looking back to our last podcast.
For working with Keith Haring,he is a legacy artist and
I've always looked up to him.
(03:26):
He is the person that I idolize.
So, um, being highly inspired byhim, creating art with his foundation
was just such a dream come true.
To be able to take his iconicimages and reimagine it in my way.
And my style was so surreal.
(03:46):
And, um, the pieces that wecreated were liquid necklaces.
So like necklaces with liquid insideof it, that's ever moving and flowing.
And I truly believe in metamorphosis.
So when a necklace is alwayschanging because of your movement,
to me, that is very special.
Steven Wakabayashi (04:02):
Yeah.
ONCH (04:03):
Now they're available on my website.
They're available at the BroadMuseum, Olka Museum, the Andy
Warhol Museum, just to name a few.
So, um, and I think, didn't Igive you the couple of pieces?
Steven Wakabayashi (04:14):
You gave me a couple of pieces.
Uh, I think everyone has to havea friend that always brings gifts.
ONCH, whenever we hangout, always brings goodies.
And sometimes I'm like, Ohmy God, this was so nice.
And you gifted me the KeithHaring, Keith Haring necklaces.
And whenever I go to special events, Iactually put them on, and when people ask
(04:36):
me about it, I proudly say, this is ONCH.
ONCH (04:40):
Well, thank you.
You're such a good friend.
Hey, listen, I think it's definitelypart of my love language as
an Asian American growing up.
Steven Wakabayashi (04:47):
Mm hmm.
ONCH (04:48):
You know, my family didn't tell me they loved me.
Steven Wakabayashi (04:50):
Mm hmm.
ONCH (04:51):
I
think that maybe we wentthrough the same experience.
And because of that, The way that theyshowed me love was putting food on my
table and giving me, yeah, giving memoney and to me as an adult, I have
to, I wouldn't say unlearn that, butdefinitely add new ways that I show
my love, which gone gifting, but alsotelling you, Hey, Steven, I love you
(05:11):
and you're my friend and I cherish you.
So these are things that I'velearned throughout the year.
So yes, gifting issomething special to me.
So you're always on the receiving end.
Steven Wakabayashi (05:21):
Uh, well, I receive it graciously, and, uh,
you also gifted me recently, uh,your collab with the Creme Shop.
Your nail stickers.
I actually have some on still.
ONCH (05:33):
Oh
my god!
I love that!
Steven Wakabayashi (05:34):
From when we were, we were last hanging out.
ONCH (05:38):
It lasted a long time.
You don't work too muchwith your hands, right?
Steven Wakabayashi (05:41):
Right?
It actually lasted a long, andI went to, uh, Austin, I went to
Dallas, and it's still on my finger.
ONCH (05:48):
Wow, amazing.
I mean, mine's still We'regone a day and a half later.
Steven Wakabayashi (05:53):
No, really?
ONCH (05:55):
Yeah, but also cause I work so heavily with my hands.
Like you're making jewelry and all that.
It gets scratched, it gets peeled off.
So it's very much that, but.
Yeah, that was a really specialcollaboration for me to team up with a
Hollywood sign and a Hollywood Chamberof Commerce and kind of do, I would
say like maybe six or seven co brandedcollaborations with brands that I
personally love from the Kremshoff to Keyand, you know, with one of my friends,
(06:19):
Gary Baseman, and created so manywonderful spot acts across the board.
It was very special.
To partner up with a landmark thatis not just nine letters, but a dream
feeling, a lifestyle, was so muchof a challenge because there really
isn't a lot for me to work withexcept for my personal experiences.
(06:43):
And to kind of translate that froma feeling, an experience, into
an illustration, a whole styleguide, was definitely a challenge.
Steven Wakabayashi (06:54):
Yeah, but, you know, the whole repertoire
of stuff that you did.
Actually, for just your oneperson shop is, how do you do it?
Like,
ONCH (07:09):
You know, it's a lot of a passion
and
a lot of believing in myselfthat anything can happen.
And I've seen you grow andevolve as a creator, as an
individual, as a business owner.
Inspiring me to do better and do more.
Do I have dark circles undermy eye 95 percent of the time?
Yeah.
(07:30):
Do I wish that I had a big team behind me?
Sure.
But I think at the end of theday, I know that I'm hustling for
myself and for my legacy alive.
And that ultimately is what drives meevery day to do the most and do the best.
Steven Wakabayashi (07:45):
Yeah.
Well, talk me through, I seein your background a bunch
of different skateboards anda bunch of different things.
Do you want to share a little bitabout maybe a few of those pieces?
ONCH (07:58):
Sure.
I'm the ultimate poser.
I don't know how to skate, butI do have a skateboard deck
wall because I designed them.
To me, it is wall art.
And I feel like when people are buying apiece of art, when it's printed on paper,
that is so like 2012, you know, now we'reon Maplewood and so it'll last forever.
(08:21):
But truth be told, I have to kind ofbring up why this even came about.
So, and I think I probably told youthe story, you know, behind the scene,
but I think it was back in 2021.
I was heavily bullied when I was
on
a platform that I wasdoing live selling on.
And this person specificallythat bullied me.
Really kind of drove me into depression.
(08:42):
I decided to never go back on thatplatform because they did not have my back
and chose to go on to Network, which is avery IP kind of platform where all their
buyers like skateboard decks or sneakers.
You know, as a small business, I cannotafford to make sneakers, so instead
I started making skateboard decks.
So I think that it's kind of those thingswhere I took a really bad experience,
(09:08):
And made a lot of money from it.
Steven Wakabayashi (09:12):
You heard it here, folk, turn your trauma into dollars, but
they're
beautiful, you know,
ONCH (09:20):
visually and, you know, my bank account.
But I also think that, youknow, it's one of those things
where I hope it inspires others.
To take all the hardships that I've beenthrough and, you know, people bullying
you or just the trauma that you had inyour life and make something amazing
out of it because that is the ultimatesuccess and ultimate F U to the people
that have put you in that position.
(09:41):
And
so for what you're
seeing,
we have
the QTB collaboration.
We have the Little Prince collaboration.
We have Gloomy Bear and we have,as you can see, AAPI Month.
I did a co branded project with Hot Topic.
So I kind of put those on.
Skateboard decks also, but all togetherI have I think 25 skateboards so far,
and you know, I don't want to look like askate shop, so I only have 10 on my wall.
Steven Wakabayashi (10:05):
Maybe you could do something there.
It's like a collection, or it's a,maybe there's something to explore,
just like bringing it all together.
I think that's actually really cool.
ONCH (10:17):
I think so too.
I actually have all of them in my archive.
So, you know, I, at some point I'd liketo be able to show a skateboard exhibition
from a person that does not skate.
I think that's such a funny story.
And, um, you know.
Something that's very ironic.
Steven Wakabayashi (10:34):
Or it's like a, like a runway show and everyone
walks out with a skateboard withalso some pieces of relevant jewelry.
ONCH (10:42):
Okay, naked with jewelry and skateboard.
Steven Wakabayashi (10:44):
Yes, yes, yes.
ONCH (10:47):
No, I love that very much.
Steven Wakabayashi (10:51):
And also lately I've been seeing you
on social media all the time.
And for everyone listening andwatching, when I'm on TikTok randomly
at the most honest hours of theday, speaking of hustling, I'm just
on TikTok live at like one in themorning hustling and selling jewelry.
(11:15):
And it's been a huge shift,right, for yourself, especially
we've chatted about it.
Uh, together about this, um, space ofsocial media and navigating it, you know,
and the platform like you mentioned thatyou were initially on and you departed
was another social media platformthat was commerce centered, right?
(11:36):
And then moving into different spaces,one, I love seeing you thrive, and
it just always brings me so muchjoy to see you really shining.
I think you actually do such a great jobof creating such a beautiful atmosphere on
your live streams and also your content.
Some are really, really hilarious.
And I mean, my question to you is, whathas that transition been like in trying
(12:02):
to reconcile and create a new relationshipwith social spaces and social media.
ONCH (12:09):
I think, you know, that transition was very scary, to be honest.
I think that when it comes to anychange, There's always a lot of
fear involved, but without fear,it just means that you're not going
to try your best and do your best.
And so I do like to seea little bit of that.
Um, with that said, I see how the waysocial media is changing and the way
(12:32):
that influencer culture is changing andpeople like authentic, people like real.
And so that's what when, you know,when I was, you encouraged by a
couple of friends to go on TikTok.
I was so afraid because I thinkthat, you know, a lot of times
my image was very curated.
I try to make sure I put outa specific kind of message and
(12:53):
operates very much like a brand.
But I think in 2024, it's a verydifferent space that we're in.
And as a creator, I have to evolveand I have to keep on changing
to make sure that I am relatable.
So with that said, as a small businessowner, I realized that showing people
(13:14):
behind the scene, bringing people alongwith me from the creating process to
the manufacturing process, to seeing thefinal product and shooting a promo of
products is such a vital part of success.
People want to see that you are a oneman show and you are creating stuff
from scratch and you don't have ahuge team of people behind you making
(13:36):
things happen, you're just guidingthem or creative directing them.
And that was scary because I wantedto, you know, not gonna lie, for so
many years, I wanted to have peoplethink that I have a lot of elves
in my studio making things happen.
I have an Andy Warhol factory with a bunchof minions that are making art happen.
(13:59):
And, you know, because I thought thatthat would keep my mystery alive.
But I don't think it'sabout mystery right now.
I think it's about really beingtransparent about hard work you put in and
how hands on you are with your business.
People relate to that.
People gravitate towards that storyand they really want to support
(14:21):
somebody that is working so hard.
So I was going to say, when I selljewelry until three o'clock in the
morning and in a setting that is soraw, it's because at the end of the
day, I realized that people want to.
Buy a product from another human.
They want to buy it from someonethat they can really relate to and
(14:43):
know that we're friends and I'mmaking so many new friends on TikTok.
The algorithm is on another level ofamazing and I'm creating a community.
And that to me is so.
Steven Wakabayashi (14:55):
Where do you think social media is headed?
ONCH (14:58):
I think social media is headed to.
A place where there is no editing,there is no filter, and it is
so raw because we're so tiredof looking at transparent beads.
We're so tired of lookingat that perfect light.
We've seen that for at least 15years now, and we're tired of it.
(15:21):
Aren't you tired of it?
Steven Wakabayashi (15:23):
It's exhausting.
ONCH (15:25):
Yeah.
And the FOMO that it creates,it's so mentally draining and And
really bad for our mental health.
Steven Wakabayashi (15:35):
Do you see the same thing also with Instagram or
do you see a stark divide betweenTikTok and Instagram still?
ONCH (15:44):
So I think Instagram is still so curated.
I think it is something that the peoplethat are heavily using Instagram will
have to unlearn how they navigate.
I remember back in the day whenInstagram first started, posted our food.
We posted this random, uh, sitting ona couch and like, up a ceiling, you
(16:08):
know, with all these random things.
And that was so interesting.
Steven Wakabayashi (16:11):
I think
that was the most authenticthat platform had ever been.
ONCH (16:15):
Well, I agree.
I agree.
And that was so much fun.
And that's why I think thatthat's where we are shifting to.
And TikTok to me is very much that.
Where when you go on each TikTokaccount, yes, they might have a common.
um, seam of a person, but that'sjust how each individual are.
We're all uniquely our own, we havethings that we would like to talk about
(16:37):
in our point of view, our perspective, butit's not as curated, it's not beautiful.
There are things and stuff thatare thrown in randomly and that
I think is the beauty of TikTok
and the beauty of thesocial media in the future.
And not gonna lie, I think that eventhe way that people are buying products
and, and being driven and inspiredto buy something, it's no longer, I
(17:03):
guess it's no longer, um, influencer
driven.
Because now we know betterthat influencers are being paid
a lot of money to talk about
a
product.
But what is so beautiful about TikTok iseveryone can be in an affiliated program.
Everybody can be their own influencer.
So I love seeing mothers from the Midwestsitting there talking about this chapstick
(17:25):
they bought from a small business.
I love seeing this random grandmothersitting there talking about a box
of cereal that they really enjoy andlove and they get compensated for it.
And what is so great about thatis they're not getting compensated
before they use a product.
They're getting compensated after theylove the product so much and they are
able to really, you know, tell you.
And that, to me, is the trueinfluence of the people.
Steven Wakabayashi (17:50):
Is anyone an influencer?
ONCH (17:53):
I think everyone's an influencer and everybody is a somebody.
Steven Wakabayashi (17:58):
And what is something that you've learned over this past
year about yourself through socialmedia and getting your work out there?
in either like, uh, a more authenticway or in a live stream manner?
ONCH (18:22):
I think one of the main things I learned in the past year about myself
is it's, it is okay to be vulnerable.
It is okay to put yourself outthere without curating it so much.
People should look at you as a normalhuman, not somebody that has superpower,
because that is not realistic.
I'm only setting myself up to fail if Ibuilt up a storyline such, um, I actually
(18:45):
love this version so much more than whatit was before, because now I can pick up
the phone and, you know, the second I wakeup and record something and feel so free
and liberating to just post it withoutfeeling, wait, what filter should I use?
Should I make my nose smaller or shouldI put on some makeup to look perfect?
Or,
you know, what about my hair?
(19:05):
Nobody really cares.
I think that we relate to human, relateto, you know, people that are raw.
And I, I'm presentingthat right now, which.
It's so free.
Steven Wakabayashi (19:16):
Mm.
Why?
Why do we curate ourselves if allof this right is freely available?
We have access to it withoutreally even trying, right,
in the form that we are now.
Why do you think we were soheavily curated with our lives?
ONCH (19:39):
I think there are two things that make us the way we are, curating every
little piece of information we put out.
I think the first onecomes from insecurities.
We all want to be perfect,whatever that means.
We all want to share a perfect life,a perfect world, a perfect smile.
(20:01):
And I think now we'verealized nothing is perfect.
There's flaws in everything, even if it'sa hundred percent, or maybe nine percent.
And I think the fact, the second thingis judgment, judgment from others.
And I think judgment from othersmakes you, which ties back to you in
(20:21):
securities, makes you feel like youneed to present yourself in a way.
Where others will click thelike button and click the
share button or save your post.
I think those are the two things.
Steven Wakabayashi (20:34):
Mm
hmm.
Yeah, I think,
well, how I relate to it, I totallysee exactly what you're saying.
But for myself, and I've talked aboutthis on the podcast before, of speaking
on behalf of many Debatable topics,ending up with, you know, the context was
(21:00):
there were some things I was witnessing,wrote some articles about it, I got
some content out, spoke about, youknow, the Asian culture and standing
for it, and community at large, mostlyWesterners, really didn't want to hear it.
And Uh, it went viral, I got a ton ofdeath threats, still to this day I get
(21:20):
like, um, not like once a week as muchanymore, but now I still get a few
messages here and there, um, the articlesaren't as popular as it was, but since
I launched that, that was like a goodlike six years, it was a while ago,
and I think where I struggle with, atleast for myself, is It's, I love the
(21:46):
authenticity and I love watching people'sauthenticity, but even for myself,
you know, as, um, running my business,doing all of these things, it's just so
hard to get back in the space becausethere's also people who are so nasty,
you know?
And it's just been so, um, you know me.
(22:08):
It's just I think it's so valuable tohave so many of these conversations,
but sometimes I feel like socialmedia is really hard to have true,
genuine, in depth conversation.
So I guess not like a question, butmore so just the observation is that
like we have also authenticity, but alsobehind it there's this whole machine
(22:32):
that really thrives off of vitriol,hate speech, Twitter is all mostly that.
And I'm just curious, you know, I guessthe question is like, on top of all this,
like, how are you navigating all of that?
ONCH (22:49):
Let me clear my throat a little.
Well, I think that when you're livingyour authentic self, there's always people
coming for you and try to tear you down.
One thing that I always remember whensomebody said, ONCH, when you shine
so bright, there's always going to besomebody that wants to dim your light.
(23:09):
And.
I think that's very true.
But with that said, is it scary and isit dangerous sometimes to speak your
truth and, and be authentically yourself?
Yes, I think so.
Because there's so many out there thateither are envious that you're able
to do so, or maybe they are hidingwho they really are and you living
(23:32):
your authentic self scares them.
I applaud you for puttingyourself out there in that way.
And I definitely feel like anybodythat's willing and are able to put
themselves out there, speak the truthand speak how they really feel about,
you know, whatever subject matterit could be, they deserve an award.
(23:55):
Because I think for me specifically,I focus on my small business.
Steven Wakabayashi (24:00):
Yeah.
ONCH (24:01):
I don't talk about political stuff.
I don't talk about any, So polarizing.
I think being myself is already prettypolarizing, and so I just, you know.
Steven Wakabayashi (24:11):
But it's also, I mean, I'll say, I think it's, I think
it's fair to create boundaries, right?
Of like, authenticity doesn'talso mean you have to share
everything and anything, right?
ONCH (24:21):
I think it's, you know, we are not multi millionaires yet.
We don't have 25 hour security yet.
And when that day Well, sure,go ahead and share every part
and every aspect of your life.
And geotag everything.
But until that day comes, I thinkit's smart to always protect yourself.
Knowing that whenever you putout there, it can be tracked
back to you as an individual.
(24:42):
Your location can be found.
And, you know, you don't wantto put yourself in danger.
I think that it's what is a littlescary about social media too is that
people can find you and you get annoyed.
Steven Wakabayashi (24:53):
Especially the live stream part of it too.
It's live, this is exactly what'shappening, this is exactly where you are.
ONCH (25:02):
No filter.
Steven Wakabayashi (25:03):
No filter, yeah.
It's I think what's fascinating is alsowe're more connected than ever before.
And what I personally like is also theaspect about video, you add another
dimensionality to people, right?
Whereas before, like it had to do a lotwith like, internet services, right?
(25:24):
Like, you had to have internetbe more accessible and priced so
that people can have data plans.
When data plans were unlimited,then you get more content
being on their phone, right?
You remember, like, back in the day,it's like, data was so expensive
and now it just comes default.
Now they don't even havephones with phone lines, right?
It's just all data, especially in China.
(25:46):
And I think there's so manylayers of all of the, going back
to the curation piece, right?
I think we were trying so hard tocreate this carefully curated image
of each other as a part of navigatinghow we want to show up in the world.
And now it's almost like the door is open.
ONCH (26:07):
Yeah.
Steven Wakabayashi: There's a camera there. (26:08):
undefined
And I applaud people who.
Can show up as in themselves.
I see some TikTok accounts.
I'm like, you have a lot of guts.
ONCH (26:21):
We'll see you for sure.
Steven Wakabayashi (26:23):
Some people, but what are you, I also love like, it's
now like, you know what I really loveabout TikTok is the whole aesthetics
piece is getting really torn down.
The whole, I have to be skinny, Ihave to be lighter skinned, I have
to be beautiful, I have to, Like, allof that is getting torn down because
ONCH (26:44):
Isn't that
beautiful?
Steven Wakabayashi (26:45):
Mm hmm.
ONCH (26:45):
Isn't that so beautiful to see?
Steven Wakabayashi (26:47):
Mm hmm.
ONCH (26:48):
Where, where we're going and people are getting just
mentally healthier because of that?
Steven Wakabayashi (26:53):
Yeah.
ONCH (26:53):
I love, I love it so much.
Steven Wakabayashi (26:56):
Yeah, and I, I think, I think it's headed in a more
positive way, um, and I, I, I thinkAlso, there's a lot we can still learn
with the platforms and how bullying andharassment is addressed, you know, but
I, uh, you know, I just remembered whatI was saying was, especially for you and
(27:18):
myself, being queer, being Asian, I thinkit's like what I've learned over my, how
many years I've reconciled my relationshipwith social media and also my businesses.
Like we're slowly startingto put stuff out is.
Going back to your point, thisneed to be really mindful at how
(27:38):
we protect our sanctity, protectour space, protect our energy.
ONCH (27:44):
I agree.
If you don't protect yourself,who's gonna protect you?
Steven Wakabayashi (27:49):
And I love the whole aspect of, um, when you shine so
brightly that other people want to dim it.
Why do you think people do that?
I, I see that, like, for me, a bigpart of my growth with even friendships
was having to reconcile friends.
Who really wanted to do that, youknow, not just strangers, right?
ONCH (28:10):
You know, we can explain low caliber people.
I think it's really hard to explain that.
But there are a couple of thingsthat comes to mind is from their
insecurity and from being afraid.
Maybe they're afraid that it's youare living this life and more people
are living their authentic self,they are going to be left behind
(28:30):
because they have all these wallsand facades that is scary to them.
I'm sure being envious.
I think that is just because.
They don't see that they'reable to do what you do.
And instead they want to dim your light.
They want to take you down becausethey feel like that's their power,
that them taking their power back.
(28:52):
When I look at these people.
You know, there's, there'sso many of them out there.
I just say my little prayer tomyself, thank you that I'm able to be
authentically myself and be, you know,comfortable with my own skin and I
hope that they will too at some point.
Steven Wakabayashi (29:09):
What else do you tell yourself or remind
yourself of that keep you going?
ONCH (29:13):
You know, truth be told, I have a lot of self reminders every day because
I do have severe imposter syndrome.
So I always tell myself that I am great,and I am working on all the greatness
that's on my way, and I can do it.
A lot of times when I'mgiven a task or a project.
(29:34):
I know it's beyond what myabilities are, but I say yes to it
because I love a good challenge.
And when that happens, I haveto consistently remind myself
that I can deal with it.
Anybody else can doit, I can do it better.
And I also always remind my friendsis if I can do it, you can do it.
Steven Wakabayashi (29:54):
I think after having known you for so many years,
One, I think the world of you.
I think you're so talented.
I think you're so, also, kind.
Um, over the years I've really seenyour practice mature in the sense of,
I think, actually, Hollywood 100 was areally great example for your work, right?
(30:18):
Where it went from, this is what I can do,to this is who I can bring along with me.
And I think for just watching fromthe outside in, you creating space
for others to collaborate, platformingother people, giving people opportunity.
I thought it was such a beautifulevolution of your work and as a
(30:44):
person to just be able to do that?
It makes me even want tolike consistently, you know,
ask myself like who I can.
So
ONCH (30:53):
when you are doing that, you know, the yellow glitter you're providing
people like us with a voice and a spacefor us to talk about our experiences.
This in itself is so magical.
I hope that you giveyourself credit for this.
And I know that we believe in the samething, which is, is lonely on top.
(31:14):
So what a pyramid.
If you're at the top 1 percent of the mostsuccessful people in the world, everyone
else is below you and beneath you.
And what you have to do to not bealone and not friends is make sure that
everybody is elevated along with you.
So if you hold their hand and you flyout, they say, hey, listen, come with me
(31:34):
because we're going to succeed together.
It is so much more fun when you cango on a vacation and go to a dinner
where everyone is contributing to it asopposed to the most successful person.
Paying for the meal.
That correct?
You will feel resentment at the end.
Group of friends are relying on youfor your success and kind of using
(31:56):
your wealth that you have, you startfeeling resentment and I think what is
so great is to be able to bring yourfriends along and work together because
at the end of the day, that's also howyou create the most unbreakable bond.
It's by working together and partneringup to create something to work on
a common goal, which is success.
Steven Wakabayashi (32:16):
Hmm.
What do you say to people who saythey need to have boundaries between
like personal life and work life?
I feel like as far as myself goes, uh,and I see overlaps with you is I actually
see as things mature in differentaspects, they all kind of converge.
(32:38):
At least for myself, where it's like,I actually want to be friends with the
people I work with, and vice versa.
Why would I want to be friends with peopleI don't want to work with, you know?
And why would I want to work withpeople I don't want to be friends with?
And I, I feel like As things mature,even on the relationship front, right?
(32:59):
Like, why would I want tobe with somebody who I can't
share these aspects of my life?
And they're all, I feel that thingsare more and more converging, whereas
before, easily, like 15 years ago,that Steven 20 years ago, that Steven
would be like, no, this is this,this is this, and this is this.
ONCH (33:19):
This is such an interesting conversation.
I'm so glad you brought this up.
I actually was talking to a friend of mineand I said, I love my work friends better
because we are working on a common goal.
We share common experience
and
we're able to have a lot of subjectmatters to talk about within work
and outside of work, because weactually do, you know, behind, behind
(33:42):
our video chats and, and after.
And to me, I think that isa very special friendship.
And most of my friends, I think youincluded, we started from the works thing.
And we started to just getto know each other more.
We love each other.
And so we are able togo out and have dinners.
And then that's how ourbonds starting to grow.
(34:03):
And now I know that we're not going tobe, we're not going to ever be apart.
I think people that work with me for areason, a season, a lifetime, And for
all of work friends, I think they'rebrought in for a reason, in return, after
a long time of working together, nowthey're lifelong friends, they're lifers.
(34:24):
Yes, I think that, you know, in the pastwe believed in having really separate work
life balance and boundaries and puttingeverybody in, you know, different boxes,
but I don't think that's the case anymore.
We're able to find like minded people.
Why are you trying to drive themaway because they work with you?
(34:45):
I think it's like, it's like theuniverse's TikTok algorithm, you
Steven Wakabayashi (34:49):
know?
Oh, that's a good one.
That's a good one.
No, it's true.
It's, it's, I think there's somethingreally special about what you just said.
It's like, it's not the fact that you'retrying to Keep things separate, but you're
almost putting people in a box, right?
Like, why keep that personin the friendship box?
(35:11):
You don't know if they couldbe a good collaborator, a good
client, a good colleague, right?
Why put the friend in the friend boxand keep them in there, you know?
I think that that's kind of an aha momentwhere it's like it's not holding them
apart, but rather you just have such adesignated role for them that's really
(35:33):
keeping you apart from realizing truepotential slash fluidity of people and
their beings and their personalities.
ONCH (35:42):
And I'm not saying that there's no boundary, and this is what I've
always done to my friends that I'vemet through work, is if I'm reaching
them, reaching out to them about workspecific conversation, I'm gonna text
them and go, Hey, Can we have a work call?
And after that I would texthim and go, Hey, this is
going to be a friendship call.
I think that is how you set yourboundaries and make sure it doesn't get
(36:06):
interwoven together and feelings don'tget hurt because I know sometimes work
conversations are a little tougher.
Than the friendship conversation, sowhen you set those boundaries and say,
Hey, this is going to be your friendshipcall, they know where you're coming from.
That is how you're able to protect yourfriendship and keep it alive and make
sure that it doesn't get so complicated.
Steven Wakabayashi (36:27):
Yeah, that's so true.
And I think it's another level of trust.
When you can give each other sometimeshard feedback, or feedback that's hard to
hear as a friend, like, the list goes onof whichever spheres people occupy, and I
(36:49):
think the world is so, what is definite?
You know, there is nothing reallydefinite, and at the same time, like,
how do we know what's best, wherepeople should go, and I think the more
open minded we could be, even like 20years from now, from today, I would
never in my wildest dreams be thinkingI'm doing what I'm doing today, right?
ONCH (37:15):
Don't limit your possibilities.
Don't limit your potential.
Steven Wakabayashi (37:18):
No.
What were you doing 20 years ago?
I
ONCH (37:22):
was a New York wingman.
I've been so hard coming.
Old friend, but he used todo a reality television show.
And you know, that's when it happened.
Oh,
Steven Wakabayashi (37:34):
Okay, but I have to give you, I have to give you accolade.
I, I really think, I really think,like, like you've really Evolved
is not the right word, but Ithink you've become more realized.
I think you've had these facets of youall along, but you've become so much
more realized as a being over the years.
ONCH (37:58):
I think so.
I think experience makes you grow andmature and practice makes improvement.
One of those things that I realized fromthe past life, which is 20 years ago,
and being on reality television is I wasbeing a fantasy myself and I was living
my real life in a way that is so public.
(38:18):
And right after that, that'swhen social media came about.
So, I started kind of curatingeverything that I'm putting out there.
Which was so unrealistic.
So, to be honest, right nowI'm back to my square one.
I'm back to where I started.
It's like a global moment that I can bein my real authentic self on TikTok and
tell my story the way I want to tell it.
(38:40):
Without having the filters andcurated grids, none of that.
Steven Wakabayashi (38:44):
Yeah.
ONCH (38:45):
So, You know, it's interesting how our lives always come full
circle, and I feel like right nowit is one of my come full circle
moments.
Steven Wakabayashi (38:52):
Hmm.
Well, I'm obsessed with that 20 years agoyou, because honestly, you really were
one of the first queer Asian people inmedia, and I think media back in the day
was not the most equitable, not the mostempowering, and for you to have been able
(39:15):
to navigate that and come out the endthat you've come out now, like one, like
I'm so proud of you as a friend, likeit's like so much work in the making.
And also, I think it's trippy.
It's like this full circle moment, youknow, now it's like you're literally back
(39:39):
in the space
for everyone to observe, everyone to lookat, live television, like live streaming.
Yeah.
ONCH (39:47):
You know, I think it's right now, we are all as individuals living
our own reality television show.
Right now, what's great aboutthis show that we're living
in, it is there's no edits.
It's just being yourself and just doingwhat you do best, because people can
and will see right through your BS.
They do.
To try to think that the consumers andyour friends out there will believe
(40:11):
in all of your fabricated storiesand your big persona, you're kidding.
You're just lying to yourself.
Steven Wakabayashi (40:20):
To get to where you are, like what's a
hard truth you had to reconcilewith and learn along the way that
really changed you for the better?
ONCH (40:34):
I think the hard truth that I had to learn.
Nothing ever will be perfect.
See, that, if it's 80 percent there.
Be grateful and be content.
What you're putting out there,what you're creating or your life.
(40:54):
Because what we have seen for thepast 10 years through social media,
it's
all perfection.
And it's all fake.
We've seen these people with 3.
5 million followers.
That can't sell oneproduct to save their life.
1.
2 million followers that are broke.
And not to say that there'sanything wrong with that.
(41:15):
What I'm saying is.
It's all curated.
It's all fabricated.
It is not realistic.
Steven Wakabayashi (41:21):
Mm hmm.
Not relatable.
ONCH (41:24):
No.
Steven Wakabayashi (41:25):
If you could change something back in the day, or
give yourself a little, give yourselfthe lesson in learning, like the
perfectionism piece is really good, wouldthere be anything you'd do differently?
ONCH (41:42):
Have no fear.
Don't let fear be the limiting factor.
Um, factor to do something, say something,ask the question, be bold enough to do
it, because ultimately you can never fail.
I think that I was definitely drivenby fear a lot of times because
(42:04):
I'm too afraid that if I ask thisquestion, I might seem stupid.
I'm too afraid if I reached out to aspecific person, then they would say
Steven Wakabayashi (42:12):
no.
ONCH (42:13):
Yeah, I'm too afraid of so many different things.
I'm afraid to You know, goon this adventure because
I'm afraid of getting hurt.
You know, life is too short.
Life is too short.
And I've realized that the fears thathave held me back were just all mental.
None
of those are real.
Those are all, you know, your,your mind playing tricks on you.
(42:37):
So to tell my younger self, gofor it would be my biggest thing.
Steven Wakabayashi (42:43):
Would you say the little ONCH?
The photo.
Oh, you know what?
You know what the thought was?
I was thinking the wholeperfectionist piece.
I was like, that's actually very zen.
That's very Buddhist.
You know, in a way that's like agreed.
Because what they would say is,you know, what is perfection?
At what point is perfection?
(43:04):
Can you pinpoint whenperfection is, you know?
And the whole aspect of it's all relevant.
It's all relevant.
Exactly relevant.
And there's no such thingas perfectionism and.
The reality is also, like, the future andthe past are not for sure, for certain,
because it is not right now, you know?
(43:26):
Past is what's happened in the past, wecan't relive it as much as we want, but
also the future, we can be in the futurein our minds, but beyond what's in our
thinking capacity and imagination, Itisn't this at this moment, this tangible
being, you know, how we're at this moment,at this certain point, and What I really
(43:53):
appreciated about like mindfulness andBuddhist philosophy is really the aspect
of understanding, acknowledging that sothat you can be more present and be more
mindful about right now, here and now.
And I love the things about, youknow, having less fear and all that.
Like what is fear?
Aside from anticipating thisfuture and having these anxious
(44:17):
feelings come up, right?
ONCH (44:20):
Agree.
Steven Wakabayashi (44:21):
And it isn't for certain, right?
Right.
Yeah.
What is fear?
Some people say it's like physiologicallythe same, like reaction your body has
like anxiety, fear, and also excitement.
And that contextually we say one is theother based on like, if, if it's something
that, you know, it is unexpected,we don't know what it is, right?
(44:45):
Technically still, who knows ifit's fear or excitement, you know?
ONCH (44:49):
True.
Steven Wakabayashi (44:50):
Yeah.
ONCH (44:50):
So true.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You know, I, you know, for all the viewersand listeners out there you're younger.
I just want to tell you, don'thave fear to do anything.
Go out and ask the person you want to be.
Don't, don't be afraid of rejection.
Don't be afraid to fail.
If you want to have, you know, if you wantto start your own business, go for it.
Go do it.
You don't have to have the mostperfect business plan because at
(45:12):
the end of the day, if you fail,that's a lesson you'll learn.
And the next time you doit, you'll do it better.
Always want to encourage everyone,and like I said earlier before, if
I can do it, you can do it better.
Because you're learning from myexperience and my failing and my mistake.
Steven Wakabayashi (45:28):
The irony too is when we're younger, that's when we are
also able to make the most mistakesand recover and change, you know.
And yet we hold the mostfear when we're younger.
ONCH (45:42):
But I think it's also because when we're younger, we're not as
knowledgeable, we're not as experienced.
So in return, the fear seemsso much more realistic.
And that's the cycle.
I think that, you know, as you getolder, as you mature, as you've
experienced more with people.
You start to realize that noneof those are real, those are
(46:04):
all just made up, make believe.
Steven Wakabayashi (46:06):
You've read about it, somebody's told you, you know, you've
imagined it, um, I guess the question is,like, what would, it's a hypothetical,
like, question, you don't have toanswer, but it's like, asking everyone,
it's like, what would your life be?
(46:27):
if you were to live it fearlessly?
ONCH (46:30):
Yeah, what would my life be?
Um, it might be more of a trainwreck.
It might be better.
It might
Steven Wakabayashi (46:37):
*laughing*
ONCH (46:39):
a trainwreck.
It might be good.
I don't know.
You know, which sideyou'll never find out.
Steven Wakabayashi (46:46):
Oh, I'd love that.
I love that.
Quick questions for you.
What is bringing you joy lately?
ONCH (46:53):
Oh, wow.
That's a great question.
I think feeling that I'm working towardsomething greater than myself and
something greater than product creation.
That makes me smile.
What that means is knowing that whatI create today in 10 years time, in 50
(47:19):
years time, people can look back at it andsay, and it can make them feel something.
It could be any, it could behappiness, it could be questioning
why I did it, um, it could beanything as long as they're feeling
something.
That to me is what makesme smile on a daily
basis.
Steven Wakabayashi (47:40):
On top of
that, what is inspiring you lately?
ONCH (47:45):
So I've always been inspired by people in real life.
I think that the characters, especiallyliving in LA, we come across so
many different characters and,and also, Their stories and their
style, they have always inspiredme, and they continue to inspire me.
(48:08):
Not something money can buy, it's notsomething that you can read in a book
or Google on the internet and find.
Steven Wakabayashi (48:14):
Mhmmm
ONCH (48:15):
I think that it's just living your life and meeting all these wild sheeple.
Steven Wakabayashi (48:23):
Quite wild.
And then what is one lesson you'dlike our listeners to take away with?
ONCH (48:33):
One lesson.
One
Steven Wakabayashi: lesson or last takeaway. (48:35):
undefined
ONCH (48:37):
Staying persistent is so important because I see a lot
of people around me that will.
Focus on one thing and be discouragedwhen they don't meet success immediately
and they will switch to somethingelse and move on to another project
and move on to another scenario.
(48:59):
Boyfriend, girlfriend,whatever, location, whatever it
could be.
I think stay persistent because I've beendoing what I do for the past 20 years.
Not been an easy journey,and I think you know that.
And a rollercoaster ride, andfor all of our friends that have
seen me 20 years ago, knows thatI do not love rollercoasters.
(49:19):
It's not my favorite.
It's actually something thatis the biggest fear in my life.
And I didn't, I didn't realize that myrollercoaster as a physical was actually
my fear of, well, life sometimes.
Because it is.
Unpredictable, it is such a thrillingjourney, so I would say be persistent
(49:42):
because at the end of the day, eithermeet success and you're able to attain
everything, every goal you've ever wanted,and that will feel so sweet because
you've worked so hard on it and you putyour heart and your soul and butt into
it,
or you don't meet your goals.
But at the end, have the best lifelesson, best life story to tell.
Steven Wakabayashi (50:03):
Mm.
ONCH (50:03):
And that's something money can't buy.
Steven Wakabayashi (50:07):
Oh, I love that.
And for people who want to find you, getin touch with you, what's the best way?
ONCH (50:15):
Oh my gosh.
So we can find me on my website.
It's www.onch.us because there'sa little ONCH in all of us.
And um, I go to my Instagram, which is@ONCH O N C H, TikTok, which is onchtv
because somebody decided my name.
So it's ONCH Television, andum, Facebook, just type in
(50:38):
ONCH, you'll be able to find me.
What else do we have?
X is also ONCH, O N C
Steven Wakabayashi (50:43):
H
Onlyfans?
No?
ONCH (50:45):
Uh, nope.
Yellow Glitter Podcast.
Steven Wakabayashi (50:48):
Yes.
And so, one other question I have for youis, what's coming up in the year for you?
ONCH (50:56):
There are a lot of fun projects, Steven.
And these are projects that have reallyjust kind of made the young ONCH so proud.
First we're creating aTeletubbies collection.
We are making them queer icons so we'rereleasing a collection of jewelry,
accessories, skateboard decks, and, um,sketch books because I want our friends to
(51:19):
be able to be creative and stay creative.
Um, not by just words butwith illustrations and words.
I wanna keep on kind of encouraging that.
And there is a collection that we'reum, releasing with Why are you shoes?
We're creating shoes together.
Oh, you're finally getting shoes.
I know.
So now you can take a walk in my shoes.
(51:39):
That's a good one.
I'm tuning up with Strawberry Shortcake.
It is the 40th anniversary ofthe Strawberry Shortcake brand.
And I think it's so important to bringnostalgia back into lives of cadel
because, you know, it really triggersand unlocks a special feeling, which
(52:00):
I've always really cherished and I thinkthat's what Strawberry Shortcake does.
I'm teaming up with one of themost famous hot dog companies
in LA called Pink's Hot Dog.
It's interesting because I getto re imagine how hot dogs should
look on a necklace, and on askateboard, and on products.
(52:20):
And that is very exciting.
Steven Wakabayashi (52:22):
Yeah.
ONCH (52:23):
I'm also working on set.
Because as a creator that focuseson accessory, I see like your style
as a big part of your accessory.
Yeah.
Do you realize that people will neverforget how you make them feel, they
will also never forget how you smell?
Steven Wakabayashi (52:39):
Really?
ONCH (52:42):
Yes, think about it.
If you've encountered a person withbad breath or BO, does that leave
a special memory in your mouth?
Hmm,
Steven Wakabayashi (52:51):
that's interesting.
ONCH (52:52):
Yeah.
Steven Wakabayashi (52:52):
Oh.
ONCH (52:55):
So I'm teaming up with Klappa, Klappa
Toys,
to create pig fried chicken.
Mel, Sen, which kind of little payinghomage to the Pigfight Chicken Necklace
and Baby Duenage, we're also creatinga stand called Strawberry Cotton
Candy for anybody that loves somethingthat is sweeter, that's more bubbly.
So, um, those are some of theprojects we're working on.
(53:15):
Oh, never have I ever.
We're creating these press on nailsthat I'm so excited about because
that is another piece of accessorythat I think that people don't realize
that press on nails Are accessories.
As an accessory designer, whichis my specialty, I want to be able
to cover all bases.
Steven Wakabayashi (53:36):
You can wear all of ONCH all at once, too.
Yes.
Get
the nails.
Get the, you know what's next?
Hair.
ONCH (53:44):
Oh my gosh, I would love that.
Yeah.
Like, hair extensions.
Because, you know, I havepretty hair, too, and you.
Maybe that's the thing that wefinally get to collaborate together.
You know what I mean?
I'll be like,
Steven Wakabayashi (53:54):
Mm-Hmm.
ONCH (53:55):
like straight hair with, with like curly hair on the top.
Steven Wakabayashi (53:58):
Perfect.
ONCH (53:59):
And so what you're seeing perfect, but you're actually
like, you know, shaking your head.
You're like, perfect,
. Steven Wakabayashi: Perfect, perfect.
Amazing.
We're believing you're saying yes, but Polylanguage says no.
Steven Wakabayashi (54:11):
Well, it sounds like those are really exciting projects.
And for everyone listening,definitely check out all of ONCH's
offerings throughout the year.
And we'll probably checkin again next year.
See how those went.
ONCH (54:25):
Yep!
Steven Wakabayashi (54:26):
Uh, well, with that, if you like this episode,
leave us a rating and review onyour favorite podcast platform.
And That's how folks find usand discover our episodes.
And if you want to get in touch withus, you can follow us at yellowglitterpd
on socials to give us your thoughtsor any guest recommendation.
(54:47):
Feel free to email usalso from our website.
And then on top, if you're visitingour website, Uh, you can listen
to full episodes, show notes,and transcripts as well there.
ONCH, thank you so muchfor being on again.
Love, love having you.
ONCH (55:04):
Thank you.
And hey, before I head out, I just want tosay, as a collective from our community,
I want to say thank you for giving usthe space and the platform to tell our
stories and speak our truth and reallyshare our experiences with everyone.
Hopefully what you're doing and whatI'm doing is inspiring others to
do better and live a better life.
(55:25):
And I think I just want to say thankyou from every listener and every
guest that's been on your show.
We adore you.
You're doing amazing.
And.
Keep on doing what you do.
You're
killing it.
Steven Wakabayashi (55:39):
I appreciate that.
Well, with that, uh, thankyou everyone for listening.
I hope you got a little bit out of it,a little nugget of wisdom, a little pep
in your step, and a little joyride onyour little rollercoaster of your life.
Thank you.
And with that, we'llchat with y'all later.
(55:59):
Bye now.
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