As the social media manager for Savor Beauty, I am plugged into so many aspects of the business. Throughout the month of December, I found myself filming a facial in the treatment rooms, creating content for a new product launch, and attending a VIP influencer event at the Grand Central Holiday Market, all in one day! This got me thinking: how on Earth does our founder Angela Jia Kim, balance everything while seemingly remaining so calm?
I took a glimpse into a Day in the Life of Angela; as a beauty founder in the heart of NYC. Balancing motherhood (to her human and doggie daughters), her relationship, and her business, let’s get to know a little bit more about how she manages it all one day at a time.
- Lily Lefebvre (Social Media Manager, Savor Beauty)
Table of Contents
A Day in the Life With Angela Jia Kim
Lily: What would people be surprised to know about your day?
Angela: “I think people would be surprised by how early I wake up. It’s not because I want to—it just happens naturally. It’s this leftover habit from childhood; my dad used to wake me up before dawn to practice the piano.
My mornings always start with a luxurious “glass skin” leave-on mask—and my collagen coffee, with a scoop of this powder.
I love my morning collagen coffee for its skin benefits, and honestly, it’s a little ritual cannot live without. After all, coffee is kind of a love language for New Yorkers, isn’t it?
The first hour of my day is what I call my 'magical hour.' There’s something about that quiet energy—whether I’m doing yoga or creative work—it feels like the perfect time to manifest whatever’s coming next.”
Lily: So what does Ali (Angela’s partner) do when you wake up so early?
Angela: “Oh, he keeps on sleeping—I think he’s totally oblivious to my early start. I keep a yoga mat that doubles as a rug on my side of the bed, so sometimes I’ll do a little Yin Yoga right there. It’s actually really sweet to flow quietly while he’s peacefully snoozing.
When he finally wakes up, I’ll greet him with, 'Good morning! Do you want coffee?' He knows I’ve already had my cup (or two… or three), but I love making him a fresh one—without the collagen, of course. It’s this grounding little ritual we have: his slow wake-up balances my early energy, and it’s such a nice way to start the day together."
Lily: What does your working set up look like and what’s key to setting you up for productivity?
Angela: “Cozy vibes and lighting are everything to me! Our Upper West Side office is filled with fairy lights, cozy pillows, warm lighting, and an air purifier. I truly believe your best work comes from a high-vibration environment where creativity can flourish. I’m also a bit of a neat freak—not just because I dislike messy spaces, but because for me, physical clutter always leads to mental clutter.
When I work from home, I love being surrounded by beautiful, inspiring things. My desk always has my Savor Beauty Planner open—a productive day always starts with mapping out the day and checking things off to keep me on track. I’ll have Bach playing in the background, a candle burning, and my favorite coffee mug in hand as I go from meetings to creative work.”
Lily: How much of your day is managing vs creating?
Angela: “Oh my gosh [through laughs], I wish I could be creative 24/7. That’s where my heart is. But as the founder, a big chunk of my day is spent managing, which, honestly, has been a blessing in disguise.
Managing people can be super challenging, but it’s taught me so many lessons—how to be more empathetic, how to really listen, and, most importantly, how to structure communication with clarity.
The trickiest part of any business is making sure everyone is on the same page. You might think you’re being super clear, but someone else could hear an entirely different story. That’s been my golden lesson...
That said, my favorite moments are when I get to create—especially the products. The process of making wine out of water—that’s very exciting to me.”
Lily: What are the three foods that you couldn’t live without?
Angela: “Well, ok… does coffee count??”
Lily: "Yes, coffee counts."
Angela: "Also, I’m obsessed with superfood salads, especially the Pretty Pomegranate Salad. It’s one of those recipes that people always ask me for. Pomegranate is packed with antioxidants, so tossing it into a salad isn’t just delicious—it’s also amazing for your skin. I call it a beauty-boosting recipe because it really does help you glow.
And then there’s pasta—my guilty pleasure. Carbs and I have a love-hate relationship: I love them, but they definitely don’t love me back!
The Savor Beauty team can confirm this because at our holiday party, I made four different pasta dishes: lasagna soup, gorgonzola walnut bow ties, a gluten-free option, and shrimp linguine. No one left hungry!"
Lily: Where is your favorite place to hang out in NYC?
Angela: "I absolutely love, love, love the Upper West Side. I might be biased—my daughter grew up here, and I opened Savor Beauty UWS just three blocks from her elementary school—but it really is such a magical neighborhood.
Some of my happiest memories are of picnics in Central Park and long dog walks around the Great Lawn. And then there’s Zabars —a foodie’s dream! They have the most amazing gourmet foods, and I find the classical music they play so calming. I could spend hours there just browsing, shopping, and trying new things. Honestly, all of New York City is the ultimate city for a foodie, but the Upper West Side will always have my heart."
Lily: What is your favorite date night activity?
Angela: "We love to dance —it’s so much fun and so good for the soul. And Ali is an amazing dancer! Our favorite date nights are all about eating delicious food from different cuisines—Arabic, Korean, Turkish, you name it—and then dancing afterward.
Traveling together is one of our favorite things, and this feels like a little cultural adventure right here in the city. It’s the perfect way to connect and have fun without ever leaving New York."
