Michelle Chen
Michelle Chen is the founder and driving force behind Lil M Bubble Tea House, a vibrant, family oriented boba shop located in Staten Island’s Castleton Corners. Since opening in 2019, Michelle has led her team through both triumphs and challenges—including overcoming pandemic closures, fire, and severe flooding—emerging stronger and more community-focused.
A passionate entrepreneur with no prior restaurant experience, Michelle honed each recipe by tasting bubble tea across the region and developing specialty offerings—like her signature Strawberry Matcha Latte—that continue to delight repeat customers. She places strong emphasis on building personal connections, greeting patrons by name and fostering a welcoming atmosphere where customers “feel like family.”
Michelle is also a forward-thinker: she adapts to seasonal demand with creative hot drinks and gluten-free macarons, runs promotions to keep loyalty high, and plans measured expansion with at least two new locations in the pipeline. Michelle is excited to bring her entrepreneurial spirit and community values to her new role as a member of the Board of Trustees at Seamen’s Society for Children and Families!