Meet Diana Ho | Small Business Owner & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Diana Ho and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diana, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
I don’t believe in an end goal. From Here to Sunday will always evolve and adapt to whatever is happening in the world and in my personal life in one form or another. It has always shape-shifted to accommodate the rapidly changing and unpredictable times we live in. The soft power of simply holding space for marginalized people–while a quiet endeavor–is a continuous goal of mine that has no expiration date.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I consider my small business, From Here to Sunday, to be an expression of my artistic practice. What sets it apart from others is that the ethos of the shop is built on actively working against the most toxic parts of capitalism. As an artist, one of the most difficult things for me has been finding a way to approach art-making without centering ego, which seems counterintuitive. However, through building up this business as a platform to be shared collectively, I’ve been able to carve a little space for artists and communities who are normally excluded from the mainstream art industry. I’m so proud of the way it resonates with a diverse audience, especially when people tell me how they wish they had a shop like ours when they were growing up.

I’m excited to continue to mold the business into new forms. For example, I started out selling baked goods paired with zines, but now we are hosting more art exhibitions and fundraisers at our storefront.

Getting here wasn’t exactly easy, since running a small business means wearing many hats and blurring the line between work and personal time. But I think being adaptive and having the flexibility to go with the flow has been an incredible privilege that has allowed the business to thrive, even through a pandemic. I’ve learned that listening to my intuition and being true to my values will always illuminate the right path. Another important lesson I’ve learned is that it is okay to accept help from others. From Here to Sunday simply wouldn’t be where it is today without the generosity of friends, family, and fans of the shop. I don’t believe that any success can truly be achieved alone.

What I’d like people–especially people of the global majority–to know is that in order for From Here to Sunday to exist, I had to consciously decide to create a space for myself and others like me. Often our society tells us that in order to succeed, one must operate through exclusion and gatekeeping. But I’ve found that centering inclusion, intersectionality, empathy, and community is a much more fulfilling way to operate a business.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Being based in NYC, it is truly hard to narrow down the options! I’d probably take them to eat and shop in Flushing–in particular, New World Mall Food Court, Soy Bean Chan, and Daiso, just to name a few. As for activities, I personally love walking around and taking in the views in Sunset Park and Greenwood Cemetery. It’d be super fun to go roller skating in Prospect Park too, and then maybe we’d go catch a comedy show one evening at the Bell House or Union Hall in Gowanus. Of course, we’d also have to stop by my shop so they can bring fun gifts home to their loved ones! 🙂

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
While so many of my friends and family all deserve recognition in supporting me over the years, I’d like to give a special thanks to my dear friends Al and Kat for being there for me since the infancy of my business. They continue to show up for me in ways that are so loving, encouraging, and without judgment, but aren’t afraid of being honest with me when it comes to feedback. They are the chosen family I didn’t know I needed.

Website: http://heretosunday.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/heretosunday

Image Credits
Portrait Photo: RealNew Collective