Lisa Li is the founder and CEO of The Qi – a new wellness brand inspired by ancient Eastern holistic healing wisdom. Lisa spent her childhood in LiaoNing, China and moved to Burlington, VT at the age of 14 to be reunited with her mother. She spoke no English, but was a fast learner who learned so fast she graduated high school in three years. She went on to study Marketing at Bentley University in Boston because it was the closest business degree that offered more creativity while she dreamed about being a fashion designer one day.

As founder and CEO, Li grew The Qi quickly after officially launching the brand in Aug 2019. In the short five months of launching, The Qi was highlighted in Well + Good, Allure, Glamour, Byrdie, Brides and more. It got picked up by Bloomingdales, Opening Ceremony, The Real Real, The Wing, and many more.

Outside of The Qi, she also manages her mother’s dumpling restaurant Hong’s Chinese Dumplings in Burlington, VT remotely doing marketing and sales. In her free time, she loves to play with her dog Peanut, host hotpot dinners with friends and connecting with others over a pot of flower tea!

What inspired you all to create this company?
The Qi is inspired by my childhood while growing up in LiaoNing (Northeast of Beijing) having tea with my grandma and enjoying her nourishing herbal soups. The Qi is inspired by ancient Eastern holistic healing wisdom that’s been proven and time tested for thousands of years. The Qi is driven by my passion to create the highest quality authentic Asian healing products on a global scale in order to elevate Made in Asia on par to Made in Italy or Made in France.

What distinguishes your company and product in the market?
The Qi is the only brand dedicated to offer the highest quality whole flower teas and rituals. We marry design and ritual together to create the most delightful sensory experience for one to connect with oneself, nature and others so that you can benefit this mind body healing practice that’s rooted in Eastern healing legacies.