Mass Mutual

Christina Seid’s Story

Experience the inspiring story of Christina Seid, a third-generation Chinese-American entrepreneur who has found her second home in the heart of New York City’s Chinatown. As the proprietor of Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, Christina’s deep connection to the neighborhood and its vibrant community shines through.

For Christina, Chinatown is more than just a tourist destination—it’s a place where cultural pride thrives and immigrant families come together. Having grown up working at her family’s iconic ice cream shop, Christina witnessed the neighborhood’s transformation while preserving its sense of community.

After completing her education, Christina made the unconventional choice to return to Chinatown and take charge of the family business. In an ever-evolving food industry, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory stood out by offering quality ingredients and unique flavors like lychee, red bean, and green tea. With Christina at the helm, the business has flourished, expanding by 35% and inspiring the opening of a second location, “Lower East Side Ice Cream,” which embraces the cultural diversity of the neighborhood.

Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, Christina is dedicated to raising her two young children and nurturing her creative passions. She is an author, having published a children’s book titled “Saturday in Chinatown,” which celebrates daily life in the bustling neighborhood with bilingual text and Asian role models.

While Christina has received offers to franchise, she remains committed to keeping the business small and family-run. Her involvement in local nonprofits reflects her deep connection to Chinatown and her commitment to giving back to the community that has shaped her life.

Join us as we delve into Christina’s remarkable journey, celebrate the flavors and traditions of Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, and honor the rich heritage of this thriving community. Discover the passion, resilience, and unwavering dedication of Christina Seid as she continues to make a lasting impact in Chinatown and beyond.

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Brasil | Chicago | Los Angeles | New York City

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MassMutual — Dreams & Legacy | Dark Barrel Media
Case Study

MassMutual — Dreams & Legacy

Two social-first story films centered on ambition, morals, good work ethic and family legacy.

Legacy — featured story film.
Client
MassMutual
Campaign
I Live Mutual
Format
Social Story Films
Deliverables
Dreams & Legacy

Overview

For MassMutual, we crafted two story-driven films — Dreams and Legacy

Each film stands on its own, but together they form a paired narrative: one looking forward at ambition and possibility, the other reflecting on heritage, continuity, and the legacy that we create.

Stories Captured

Story 01

Dreams

Dreams follows Reema Rasool, a mother that is navigating ambition, responsibility, and self-belief. Learning to balance where she comes from with where she wants to go.

Her story is rooted in forward motion: building a life with intention, making thoughtful choices, and trusting that steady progress compounds over time.

Rather than framing success as a finish line, Dreams captures it as an evolving process — one shaped by patience, resilience, and belief in something larger than the moment.

Story 02

Legacy

Legacy centers on the life and work of Christina Seid, a third-generation Chinese-American entrepreneur and owner of Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.

For Christina, Chinatown is not a destination — it is home. A place defined by cultural pride, immigrant families, and generations of shared history.

After returning to take over her family’s business, Christina expanded the brand by 35%, opened a second location, and preserved the values that made it iconic — all while raising two children and authoring Saturday in Chinatown, a bilingual children’s book celebrating everyday life in the neighborhood.

Legacy honors the quiet strength of continuity — a story about stewardship, community, and building something meant to last.


Credits

Client: MassMutual

Production Company: Dark Barrel Media

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