How a culinary legend’s daughter built her legacy through innovation and authenticity

First of all, let us give you an early warning: Today’s brand story might cause extreme cravings and inspiration.

Dumpling Daughter is the epitome of humble beginnings-turned-legacy. It was born from the prestigious Chinese restaurant Sally Ling, but it has a clear, distinguishable image on its own.

Read on to learn how this brand did that.

Innovation + Authenticity = Long-lasting brand 💯
Sell with ZERO referral fee 0️⃣
The secret to raking in $4.5 million in sales 💵
IP protection strategies 🛡️

SCRATCHING THE SURFACE

When you think of a brand that’s built on legacy, love for food, and a dash of entrepreneurial spirit, Dumpling Daughter is the perfect example. More than a story of dumplings, it’s a tale of family, passion, and bringing authentic flavors to the table, literally.

🥟 From a family kitchen staple to a local favorite

Dumpling Daughter’s founder, Nadia Liu Spellman, didn’t just stumble into the restaurant business. Growing up, she was surrounded by the aromas of her mother’s cooking.

And we’re not talking about just any mom. Her mother, Sally Ling, is a Boston culinary legend, having opened one of the city’s first upscale Chinese restaurants.

Nadia learned from the best, but she knew she wanted to take a different route. She envisioned something more laid-back, something that would feel like sitting at a family dinner.

So in 2014, Nadia turned that vision into reality with the opening of Dumpling Daughter in Weston, MA. Her mission? To make the dumplings she grew up with, accessible to everyone, without the formal setting. Think of it as Chinese comfort food that fits right into your busy life!

💯 A brand built on authenticity

You could be wondering, how did Nadia step out of her parents’ shadow and build a brand destined to last?

The answer: authenticity. She stayed true to her roots while continuously innovating to meet the needs of her evolving market.

With dumplings made with fresh ingredients, Dumpling Daughter quickly became a local hit. It’s where tradition meets modern convenience, and people can’t get enough.
She didn’t try to reinvent the wheel—she embraced what she knew best: her family’s legacy of authentic Chinese cooking. But she also made it her own by serving the food in a more casual, fast-paced setting.

📖 Find your story

Every brand has its unique story. As a seller, your job is to discover yours.

Dumpling Daughter didn’t start as a huge chain—it started as a small idea inspired by family meals, which eventually thrived because it stayed true to its mission.

Like Nadia, you can turn tradition into something that resonates with modern customers. Just make sure you’ll also stay authentic to what makes you you.

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DIVING DEEPER

How a leap of faith turned into $4.5 million in sales

Starting a business isn’t for the faint of heart; Nadia Liu Spellman knows that firsthand. Armed with $120,000, mostly from family loans, she launched the first Dumpling Daughter branch in Weston, Massachusetts.

What started as a leap of faith quickly turned into a local sensation.

In just 3 months customers lined up out the door, eager to taste her creations. From November 2022 through October 2023, these frozen dumplings generated over $4.5 million in sales!

🧺 But there’s a catch (as always)

With that success came a whirlwind of challenges. Beyond the typical retail struggles, the business also faced:

Legal drama: In 2015, two of Nadia’s former employees decided to open a copycat restaurant called Dumpling Girl less than 40 miles away. Nadia filed a lawsuit, and the competitors quickly settled.
- What happened after: The legal hiccup didn’t stop Dumpling Daughter from thriving. By 2018, they opened a second location due to increasing customer demand.
Pandemic dilemma: When the pandemic hit in 2024, Nadia had to pivot fast. Dumpling Daughter then launched a direct-to-consumer website where customers could order frozen dumplings straight to their doors. 🏬
- What happened after: It worked like a charm! Soon, they expanded their product line, offering items like their signature brown sugar and chili oil dipping sauce on Amazon. Today, these new products make up about a third of the business, raking in over $1 million a year.

🛣️ The road ahead

Nadia acknowledged early that she can’t rely on her parents’ legacy forever. Dumpling Daughter must cater to today’s customers—and she believes they’re doing just that. With her sights set firmly on the future, she is confident that Dumpling Daughter will soon become a household name.

SUCCESS BLUEPRINT

6 strategies to protect your ecommerce business’ IP

When you pour your heart and soul into your creations, the last thing you want is someone else swooping in to take credit (and sales). Just ask Nadia Liu Spellman of Dumpling Daughter—she knows this struggle all too well.

But with great success comes the responsibility of safeguarding your intellectual property (IP). Shopify shared 6 strategies to ensure your creations remain truly yours.

Register copyrights and trademarks. Once it’s on the books, you have the right to take legal action against anyone who uses it without your approval. ✍️
Use non-disclosure agreements (NDA). This nifty document prevents the recipient from spilling your secrets to anyone else without your permission.
Protect trade secrets; share them only with those who absolutely need to know, such as key employees.
Install security measures. Restrict access to your spaces where you brainstorm new ideas and develop products. On the digital front, make sure to encrypt your confidential files and limit access. 🔒
Educate employees. It’s essential that they fully understand your policies and the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
Monitor for infringement. Conduct regular Internet searches, set up Google Alerts, and track social media to identify any unauthorized use of your IP.

👁️ Protecting your intellectual property is more than just a legal obligation; it’s an essential part of building a successful business. Just like Dumpling Daughter, staying proactive can make all the difference in securing your innovations for the long haul.