Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Yang.
Hi Angel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m Angel Yang, founder of The Novus Group, a creative brand experience agency, and Nova Pop-Up, our subsidiary focused on curated experiential events for small businesses and creatives. My journey has been shaped by diverse experiences spanning fashion, finance, and international business development across North American and North Asian markets.
My interest in events actually started in college when I realized that ideas can turn into reality. There was something powerful about taking a concept and making it tangible—creating experiences where people could connect, learn, and grow. That early recognition that events could be transformative laid the foundation for everything I do now.
The name ‘Nova’ represents transformation and brilliance—a star that suddenly becomes brilliantly bright and makes an impact. This perfectly captures what I wanted to bring into my business: creating moments that shine brightly in people’s memories long after they’ve passed.
I had to learn to trust and listen to my core intuition rather than waiting for external validation or the “perfect timing.” I got tired of not filling my own cup. When I finally launched my first independent project without seeking anyone’s permission, I realized how much opportunity I’d been leaving on the table. That project led to new connections and gave new meaning to how I wanted to move in my life, professionally and personally. Now I make my own table, and that philosophy is built into everything we do—being bold, challenging the norm, and trusting the process.
Today, we support small businesses with their business development through strategic growth event strategies, helping them build sustainable communities around their brands.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely hasn’t been smooth. The real challenge is that we’re operating in an economy where large corporations and e-commerce giants like Target and Amazon capture most of the capital while small businesses, artists, and creatives struggle to make sustainable livings from their craft. I’ve had conversations with incredibly talented artists and musicians who are making $500 for gigs at well-known venues, which seems absurd in today’s economy.
This systemic challenge is what drives our mission at Nova Pop-Up: building hyper-localized ecosystems where creativity isn’t killed by lack of marketing skills or business development resources. We’re not just hosting events – we’re creating sustainable support networks where people with similar mindsets can feed into an ecosystem that lifts everyone up. There are folks out there who have this vision; they just need someone to coordinate and make it happen.
I’ve also had to pivot specialties and careers multiple times throughout my journey, and each transition taught me valuable lessons about resilience. Despite experiencing imposter syndrome in competitive environments, I learned to turn challenges into motivation. What these experiences taught me about resilience is that it’s not just about enduring difficult circumstances—it’s about finding your unique path forward when conventional routes are unwelcoming. These challenges ultimately strengthened my resolve to create Nova Pop-Up as an environment where bold ideas flourish, diverse perspectives are valued, and genuine collaboration drives both our internal culture and our client relationships.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Nova Pop-up?
What We Do:
Nova Pop-Up specializes in strategic events for small businesses, creatives, and artists ready to expand their reach and build community. We do the heavy lifting so our clients can focus on what they do best: showing up and building something meaningful.
Our Approach:
We believe every business has a unique story and growth trajectory, which is why our strategic events look different for every client. Whether it’s helping a creative showcase their work, supporting a small business in launching a new product, or bringing together entrepreneurs for meaningful collaboration, we design experiences that align with specific business goals and community needs.
What We Offer:
Strategic Event Design & Execution: Custom experiences tailored to each client’s growth objectives, audience, and brand story
Curated Community Events: We host our own markets and gatherings that bring together carefully selected businesses and creatives
Business Development Through Events: Consulting and planning services for businesses looking to leverage events as a strategic growth tool
What Sets Us Apart:
Global Perspective: Having lived and worked across different regions, I bring a well-traveled perspective to every project. This exposure to varied cultures, business practices, and market dynamics allows us to identify unique opportunities and draw inspiration from global best practices.
Quality Over Quantity: We work with small businesses and creatives who have foundation and are ready to invest in growth, ensuring meaningful outcomes for everyone involved. We’re selective in our curation for maximum impact.
Building an Ecosystem: Beyond event production, we’re building a comprehensive ecosystem that provides business development, marketing support, networking opportunities, and post-event resources. We’re not just renting space—we’re creating sustainable support networks where creativity thrives.
What I’m Most Proud Of:
Building Nova Pop-Up into a platform that curates dynamic ecosystems of entrepreneurs and creatives while creating transformative brand experiences. I’m particularly proud of creating opportunities for independent vendors and emerging talents through our collaborative approach to event production, and developing a business model that balances creativity with strategic outcomes, proving that distinctive experiences can drive measurable business results.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I want readers to know that we’re not just creating events—we’re creating a movement where brands and communities grow side by side. Our approach challenges conventions in the experiential events space. I’m a big ideas, big risk, big rewards type of person who questions established approaches and pushes boundaries to create experiences that truly stand out.
We focus on growth-stage small businesses and creatives—those who are past the startup phase with established foundations and are ready to invest meaningfully in expansion and community building. Our multicultural insights and cross-industry experience bring fresh thinking to every project, helping clients connect with audiences in ways others simply can’t envision.
For anyone considering working with us, know that we balance strategy and creativity, ensuring experiences are both impactful and effective. We create transformative moments that catalyze change—whether in perception, behavior, or relationship with your brand—leaving lasting impressions that drive action.
If you’re a small business owner ready to take your growth to the next level through authentic community connections, or if you’re looking for partnership opportunities that support local creative economy, I’d love to connect.
Visit us at www.novapopup.com or reach out at partner@novapopup.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.novapopup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novapopup
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/novapopup
