Rabbit Air was co-founded by Karrie Chan, an incredibly inspiring mom, innovator, and entrepreneur. While six months pregnant, Karrie embarked on mission to create an air purifier better than those on the market, that was not only extremely quiet and effective at removing allergens & irritants from the air, but also stylish and unobtrusive, in order to ensure that her child would have the best possible air quality. 

Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog interviewed Karrie Chan to learn more about her journey to becoming a female founder.

PLBB: What are the biggest challenges you face as a woman-owned business owner?

Karrie Chan: Two decades ago, in the initial stages of launching Rabbit Air, I found myself six months pregnant and juggling three concurrent jobs, all in pursuit of accumulating the funds necessary to kickstart my business. Being a female entrepreneur, the most formidable obstacle I faced was the multitude of roles I had to assume: a mother, a wife, and a business collaborator with my husband. Striking a balance between these responsibilities, and determining where to allocate my focus, proved to be a challenging task. I constantly strove to excel as a devoted mother, a supportive spouse, and an effective business partner.

PLBB: What resources have been most helpful to you in growing your business?

Karrie Chan: So many things have helped Rabbit Air grow over the years. We always dedicated ourselves to constant learning and market research in order to keep up with new technologies and trends to ensure we can provide the best solutions for our clients. We are still actively working with colleges and research institutions to reinstate our dedication to constant development and improvement. Most importantly, having a supportive, well-equipped team was one of the most helpful resources in this journey. As a team, our dedication and compassion for Rabbit Air and what we offer to our consumers helped us significantly mature and grow over the years.

PLBB: What advice would you give to other women-owned business owners who are just starting out?

Karrie Chan: In my view, persistence, a positive attitude, and unwavering dedication are indispensable qualities for achieving success as an entrepreneur. As a female entrepreneur, I've often found that I tend to rely more on intuition and passion, rather than solely leaning on analytical thinking, which is a more common trend among male entrepreneurs. By following your heart and embracing intuition, along with seeking the right support system and resources, you can navigate challenging decisions. Moreover, learning from your mistakes is crucial in your journey towards accomplishing your goals.

PLBB: How do you see the landscape for women-owned businesses changing in the next 5-10 years?

Karrie Chan: When I started my business as a woman from a minority group twenty years ago, things were very different. Today we are seeing a much more inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial landscape. I have high hopes that we will continue to see a significant increase in women entrepreneurs in various industries. I truly believe that women-owned businesses will thrive as diversity, representation and support across industries continues. We will be seeing more women in leadership roles, making an impact, offering innovative solutions, and most importantly extending their reach at a wider scope.

PLBB: What are some of the ways that your business is giving back to the community?

Karrie Chan: Over the past decade, we have donated $145,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation dedicated to preventing and finding a cure for breast cancer.  Additionally, we've donated over 1,000 Rabbit Air purifiers to support research initiatives at Johns Hopkins University focused on respiratory health. Collaborating with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, we've provided air purifiers to their HEAL program. This initiative has been instrumental in assisting underserved communities by offering tailored environmental solutions to mitigate allergy triggers in their homes.

PLBB: What are the biggest trends that you are seeing in your industry?

Karrie Chan: It's truly inspiring to witness the remarkable growth and evolution of the air purifier industry over the last two decades. Air purifiers have undergone significant advancements, becoming more compact and feature-rich since I first entered this field. I am confident that air purifiers will persist in enhancing their performance and effectiveness. One prominent trend in the industry is how air purifiers are marketed, with a particular focus on addressing airborne germs, which has gained increased significance due to heightened customer concerns in the wake of the COVID pandemic. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on combating toxins, especially those stemming from wildfire pollutants, reflecting the evolving concerns of consumers.

PLBB: How are you reaching your target market?

Karrie Chan: We connect with our target markets through a range of marketing strategies, encompassing both online initiatives and face-to-face interactions. The central objective is to establish meaningful touchpoints that leave a lasting positive impression of our brands in their minds.

PLBB: What are your goals for the next year or two?

Karrie Chan: Our immediate objective over the next few years is to maintain our unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch, user-friendly products. We have fostered collaborations with universities and research institutions to gain profound insights into the most cutting-edge technologies, allowing us to develop innovative products. Simultaneously, we are continually dedicated to refining our existing products, ensuring that we offer the most personalized and effective solutions to our valued customers.