Christine Tran

I think good character, because it's led me to make really genuine connections, and I think that's what built my business. I got so many referrals - I didn't really ever make any ads. I survived purely just off of referrals and good word of mouth, and a lot of them, a majority of them were women, and that's something I'm very passionate about as well. Even though in the beginning, you're gonna be working with everybody, at the end of it, I was like, oh, you know what? I think I just like working with women because they're just different, and the environment was just so healthy. I think good character, because once you have that, I think it'll last. I've had some crazy stories too, just like in my entrepreneurship, like learning from failures where I've gotten scammed before and learned how to pivot from that. That is a prime example of how good character can last or not last.

I would say to start, whether that's imperfect or not. As long as you show up, it's really what matters, because that's kind of what I did, and I didn't necessarily have all the tools just yet when I opened my studio. I got the lease, and then I eventually built the products as time went on. I had never produced a podcast before that, but then I researched, I got all the equipment, and then we decided to run it, and then we ended up hosting YouTubers with millions of subscribers and founders of brands in Sephora and Target. All that to say, that just became later. I never produced a podcast before opening up the studio. It's just about pivoting. You don't always have to show up perfectly, because I don't think that's realistic, but as long as you show up, that's what matters.

The values most important to me are authenticity, growth, and exploration or experimentation. Being yourself genuinely is worth it, because that's what's going to get your own audience and returning customers the most when you have that alignment with how you are as a person. That'll make them a repeating customer. I also value dedication, whether that be perfect or not. I think it's still important just to always have something where you don't always have to show up perfectly, because I don't think that's realistic, but as long as you show up, that matters. After my mom had passed, I want to cultivate and value my really strong connections in my life, so I love just being with my loved ones above everything right now. I'm very family-oriented.