Jaja Chen

Jaja Chen is a second-generation Taiwanese American entrepreneur and Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Waco, Texas. She is the co-founder and co-owner of Cha Community, a boba tea small business with multiple locations in Waco and Temple, TX. Founded in 2018 with her spouse, Devin Li, Cha Community began as a pop-up at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market and has grown into a thriving business with three cafes and two food trucks. Cha Community's mission is to bridge cultures and create community through premium boba, drinks and fast-casual Taiwanese and Chinese food. 

In addition to running a growing small business and serving her community as a trauma/EMDR therapist in private practice, Jaja is a passionate advocate for minority-owned enterprises, civic engagement, and sustainability. She has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives on behalf of immigrant-owned small businesses and co-founded the Asian Leaders Network non-profit organization, which organizes Asian community events and cultural festivals in Waco, Texas.

Jaja has been nationally recognized for her entrepreneurial leadership as a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow, James Beard Foundation WEL alum, and Cha Community has been awarded the Square 50 and Forbes Next 1000 small business recognition amongst other honors. Outside of business, Jaja also currently serves on the board of Keep Waco Beautiful and chairs the Asian Leader Network.