We sat down with Geummy Lee, founder of Web3 and a female leader in the metaverse space to talk about the creation of her agency WEOSH, the different levels of opportunity between men and women in the tech industry, and her recent activation at Art Basel.

Grit Daily: Tell us about your company, WEOSH?

Geummy Lee: Weosh, (“WEE-osh”), is a community of conscious individuals who empower women and allies with the goal of celebrating their femininity and increasing female strength. The result is to close the diversity gap and create a more inclusive space. This is done through a brand incubator, a media outlet, onboarding workshops, and a marketplace that connects better products with conscious consumers. Weosh is a trailblazer and pioneer in the development of female CEOs, which we call WEOs (Women Executives). We coined the term WEO to start conversations about what female leadership can be by challenging outdated traditional definitions of a CEO who has a male background, as it stands for Chief Executive Officer.

Grit Daily: How did you get started and what were some of the biggest challenges?

Geummy Lee: In 2017, when I read that female entrepreneurs received less than 10% of VC funding, I was furious, and the gap resonates with all my past experiences where I felt like I had to fight harder as a woman. because I couldn’t get a seat at the “kids” table.

I had this was the same experience when I entered the web3 space. I asked to be included in alpha chats and it was seen as adding value because I was female. The same roadblock occurred when I was trying to get funding and partners for this Web3 Wellness event in Basel. I was getting a lot more questions compared to my male counterparts, where sponsors contributed money without as many questions.

Grit Daily: What do you do to overcome these obstacles and stay motivated? What drives your determination in business?

Geummy Lee: In business, women can often feel that our opinions are not considered in the same way as those of our male counterparts, or we can be overwhelmed by inner doubts when we ask for a promotion. Looking at the statistics, there is a gap and in addition to the institutional barriers, just blaming society is not going to change the system.

I went through some tough times growing up and building a business from the ground up. Every day, I fight to get up from within. Life is full of ups and downs, but so are our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual states. I remind myself of exercising all areas of what makes us whole: challenging my mind to think outside of my comfort zone, filling my emotional love tank, exercising or practicing meditation, and surrounding myself with positive energy or praying. When our core is being fulfilled, we are stronger. Entrepreneurs are already gladiators, but imagine if they were performing at their potential. I am a firm believer in empowering yourself to empower others.

Whether it’s society echoing that disempowering self-talk, or social media perpetuating an unrealistically perfect lifestyle, sometimes I can feel like I’m not doing enough. Remember that you are strong and that your purpose is greater than your own understanding at this current moment.

Health, wealth and happiness are the goals of success in life for most people. However, the only thing we have exclusive control over is our happiness; Despite our hopes and hard work, “health and wealth” may not always align. As a woman, I wanted to encourage the idea that you can overcome any obstacle through positivity and accepting the challenges we face in our personal and professional lives. When we lead with positivity to happiness, I believe the rest will follow.

Grit Daily: As a Korean-American, why is it important for Asian entrepreneurs to be represented in the tech and event space?

Geummy Lee: We are building the future in Web3 and a crucial element to avoid systemic web3 problems is inclusion. Creators, innovators, and change-makers must mirror the rest of the world: we create what we know, and the “we” must include all voices to create a future that recognizes everyone.

Grit Daily: You’re known as the Web3 Socialite, what does that mean to you?

Geummy Lee: Connecting in person energizes me and attending web3 related events allows me to connect with future builders and creators. I love the web3 community and how WEOSH is building a more inclusive space.

Grit Daily: Where do you see the future of Web3, Crypto, the metaverse, and the blended lines between technology and real life?

Geummy Lee: Nothing will replace real life experiences and human-to-human contact, however with the metaverse, AR, and technology, we will be able to connect and experience the world in another dimension, similar to how we connect with people from abroad. everyone through social networks before My-Space and Meta existed.

Grit Daily: Tell us about your event at Art Basel.

Geummy Lee: Our event at Art Basel this year was called Web 3 Wellness and it focused on bringing the community together to promote health and wellness in the web3 space. As we move towards a more virtual reality and spend more time immersed in technology, there is a need to bring the balancing and healing elements of wellness modalities with us.

Their event included three panels on the future of wellness and technology, bringing wellness closer to technology through art and psychedelics, and expanding awareness in the digital age. There will be speakers such as Swopes, Tal Navarro, Shira Lazar, Dr. Scott Fischer and other community leaders.

Web3 Wellness offered attendees education on the intersection of art, technology, and wellness, along with immersive wellness experiences such as breathing, sound healing, and movement. Botanical artist Kelley Anderson featured a moss art installation called Crysallis, named for the protective shell a caterpillar creates when it metamorphoses into a butterfly. Fiddler and DJ Yerahm Paul Lee was also on site entertaining guests with binaural beats.

Grit Daily: What’s next for you?

Geummy Lee: We’re excited for NFT LA in March and NFT NY, where we’ll be hosting another Web3 Wellness event. I will also show my non-toxic underwear and sports line!

Grit Daily: What advice do you have for others to get into this space?

Geummy Lee: Web3 is a blank canvas, we can build whatever we want, be intentional when entering the space, what is your intention? Making a quick buck is not a thing anymore, it’s about building and leveraging the creator economy.

Grit Daily: Where can our audience find/follow you?

Geummy Lee: Twitter and Instagram @weoshcommunity. My personal IG is @geummy and Twitter is @metageummybear.