Jenny Jing Zhu, a creative and innovative entrepreneur. At 51, she’s the founder and CEO of Lush Decor, an online home decor empire that brought in more than $100 million in revenue last year. Born and raised in New Jersey, her journey is a story of perseverance, trailblazing, and unbridled hustle. Zhu’s journey begins in a small, rural Chinese village. In doing so, she faced obstacles that sparked her creativity and entrepreneurial energy. From humble beginnings, she navigated cultural shifts, language barriers, and financial pressures to create a thriving business that brings beauty and comfort to homes across the United States.

Zhu’s road to success was anything but ordinary. Zhu grew up in a diffused village without electricity until he was in second grade. This experience instilled in him at an early age a strong work ethic and resourcefulness. Leaving her village for Beijing was the first and most important turning point, opening her up to new possibilities and experiences. After graduating, she worked four years at a new home fashion company, which helped prepare her for her soon-to-be own business.

Early Challenges and Inspirations

Immigrating to New York, Zhu faced the daunting task of building a life in a new country while still grappling with the English language. It wasn’t just the fear of being alone that drove her—though losing everything was certainly a motivator. In the early days, Zhu drew inspiration from an unexpected source: Vera Wang wedding dresses. The grace and complexity of Wang’s designs inspired her artistry and motivated her founding collections for Lush Decor.

Zhu was a fierce advocate for her vision. She threw herself into every facet of the business, working literally day and night to produce her designs and develop her brand. Ideas for the opera Zhu also drew on her family’s history as migrant cotton pickers. Her relationship with her ancestry ignited a passion for textiles, colors and patterns. Each of these elements would go on to become signature markers of Lush Decor’s aesthetic.

Building Lush Decor

When Lush Decor was founded as a digital-first company, there was millions of shoppers migrating to digital every year. Zhu himself has an astute design sense. She knows what the consumers are looking for and that’s why she was able to select a wide variety of home decor products to appeal to everyone. The bold yet playful aesthetic resonated immediately, with customers flocking to their colorful, trend-driven, but still affordable items.

Zhu's leadership and commitment to quality propelled Lush Decor's growth. Through her emphasis on innovation and customer-focused approach, she kept the company ahead of the curve, adapting to the shifting landscape of market needs. Lush Decor is passionate about providing affordable luxury and superior service. It’s this commitment that has helped them create their own niche in the highly competitive home decor market.

Recent Developments and Future Outlook

In 2018, Zhu sold a controlling interest in Lush Decor to a private equity firm. This daring step signaled the company’s limitless potential and provided new opportunities for even more rapid growth. After several changes in leadership, Zhu returned to the helm as CEO again last year. She affirmed her ongoing support for the brand and its mission. With her leading the charge, Lush Decor is in a good position to remain on its path of success and creativity.

Zhu's return as CEO reflects her unwavering commitment to Lush Decor's success. Her deep understanding of the brand, its values, and its customers makes her the ideal leader to guide the company through its next phase of development. Lush Decor has a very bright future ahead of it! With Zhu’s vision, experience and passion, the company will go on to create more beautiful, resilient and inspiring spaces.