25 Years of Good Characters: A Good Name Is More Desirable Than Great Riches

This week, we are celebrating 250 years of American independence on July 4, and the 25th anniversary of Good Characters on July 5.

Thank you for being our customers and friends. It is a joy to provide you with authentic and meaningful Chinese, Japanese, and Korean characters. Your business and support help me continue doing what I love.

The idea of Good Characters came 25 years ago. Our domain name was registered the day after Independence Day in 2001. From the very beginning, our mission has been to focus on Chinese names and characters for both individuals and companies.

My degrees are in psychology, and I worked as a full-stack developer, but for some reason, I felt compelled to start this.

At first, I thought I was simply tired of seeing poor Chinese translations. I wanted people to have something better because I believed they deserved better. Over time, I began to see that there was a deeper purpose behind the work.

Bootstrapping Good Characters

I began by making quick-turnaround name stamps for individuals while slowly building the corporate brand-naming consulting service.

Corporate naming can take months or even years to develop. Name stamps became a practical way to begin, but they were also deeply connected to our mission.

Why name stamps?

Because they are directly related to Chinese names and characters, and they carry deep cultural value. For thousands of years, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cultures have used name stamps as signatures. A well-crafted stamp is not just a tool. It is also a small work of art. Its impression becomes a mark of authenticity and authority.

That was something I cared about from the beginning. I did not want people to have random-looking characters or stamps that only looked “Asian” on the surface. I wanted the work to be meaningful, accurate, and respectful.

The Unexpected Turn

Then 9/11 happened.

In the months that followed, I noticed a rise in martial arts training in the New York area. Many martial arts school owners ordered stamps from us to sign rank and black belt certificates.

They appreciated our work, and word quickly spread.

Over time, we created official stamps for thousands of schools around the world. Today, tens of thousands of students proudly display certificates that accurately reflect their training accomplishments, without the embarrassment of mistranslated characters or unauthentic-looking stamp designs.

That still means a lot to me.

Every certificate represents someone’s effort, discipline, and achievement. The characters and stamp impression should honor that. They should not be an afterthought.

Good Characters in America

In our first year, we had a line on our website that said:

“MADE WITH PRIDE IN THE USA: Our customized Chinese characters are designed and made in California, U.S.A.”

An American scholar who knew Chinese language and culture well emailed me and said, “That’s an interesting idea.”

That made me think.

Because of my traditional Chinese and Taiwanese upbringing, the word “pride” always felt a little uncomfortable to me. What I really wanted to say was not that we were proud in a loud way, but that we cared deeply about doing the work well.

Maybe what I wanted to say was this:

It is our pleasure and honor to do what we love for you.

Being made in the U.S.A. was never meant to sound nationalistic or to criticize products made in China. To me, it means contributing new ideas, serving people here, and creating names and characters that fit the culture, values, and needs of people living here.

Good Characters was created in America, but it was built from Chinese characters, East Asian culture, and the desire to help people cross cultures with care.

Serving Individuals and Businesses

Over the years, Good Characters has served individuals, martial arts schools, small businesses, startups, and major companies.

Some people come to us because they want a Chinese name for themselves or a loved one.

Some come because they need a name stamp, a certificate stamp, or a meaningful gift.

Some businesses come because they need a Chinese name that can work in Greater China markets, including Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and beyond.

A name is not just a label. It can shape first impressions. It can carry meaning. It can build trust. It can also create confusion if it is done poorly.

That is why Chinese naming is not simply translation. It is sound, meaning, culture, memory, positioning, and strategy all working together.

For businesses, a good Chinese name can help build a stronger brand and protect a trademark. For individuals, a good name can feel personal, respectful, and meaningful.

In both cases, the goal is the same:

Good characters.

A Deeper Purpose

It has not always been easy to specialize in Chinese naming in America.

The business has gone through difficult seasons, especially during economic downturns. Many times, I wondered why I felt so compelled to keep doing this. I could have made more money doing something else.

Then one day, I read Genesis 2:19-20 and laughed out loud. In a lighthearted way, I wondered if my work was a little like Adam naming the animals.

Genesis 2:19-20 says that God brought the living creatures to Adam “to see what he would call them,” and “whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.”

Of course, I know it is not the same thing.

But somehow, that passage gave me a deeper sense of purpose.

Good Characters is not just about translation. It is about creating meaningful names that help people, businesses, and cultures connect.

To name something is to care enough to see it clearly.

To give a good name is to honor its purpose.

Looking Ahead

In this new season, I am also spending more time in Silicon Valley through a new opportunity in the semiconductor industry. I hope this will help Good Characters reach more founders, companies, and brand builders who need meaningful Chinese names for the global market.

Good Characters is still open, still serving customers, and still committed to careful, meaningful work.

There is still more to do.

There are still companies that need better Chinese names. There are still individuals who want names and characters with meaning. There are still cultural bridges to build. There are still mistakes to prevent. There are still good characters to create.

On this 25th anniversary, what I want to remember most is this:

A good name is more desirable than great riches.
Proverbs 22:1

Thank you for your patience, encouragement, business, and friendship over these 25 years.

If you have a name, brand, stamp, or character project in mind, I would be happy to hear from you.

I would also love to hear your thoughts, comments, or memories from these past 25 years.