Home: Silicon Valley, CA. Birthplace: South Korea. Profession: Serial entrepreneur and startup founder. Organization: Second Time Founders. Title: Founder. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Alma mater: University of California, Los Angeles. Languages spoken: Korean, English, Bislama. Enough to be dangerous: Chinese, French, Spanish and American Sign Language.
Current project: Continuing to build three amazing companies: Second Time Founders, Elevate and MLD. Recent recognition: Recognized by Global Leaders Today in their Global 100 category. Recent professional development: Starting and running three companies simultaneously. Latest accomplishment: Completing the Hoffman Process, without my phone and computer for nine days. Latest contribution to others: Creating, mentoring, teaching and graduating over thirty college academy students during the pandemic. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Ending engagement and freezing eggs to start my new company in Silicon Valley. Hobbies: Photography, salsa dancing, snorkeling, hiking, cooking, paragliding. Recent travel or adventure: French Polynesia; Mexico; Canada. Helmet diving, shark diving, electric pedal boarding. Last book read: Play Nice But Win, by Michael Dell. Recently viewed and recommended: The Wisdom of Trauma. Recent unique acquisition: Pusheen the Cat collectibles.
Personality profile: Resilient and empowered. Enneagram 8w7 (the Maverick). What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Inspiring. Moral compass: Can I proudly own and talk about this to my future children? How do you define a perfect friendship? Those whom I can call without hesitation to share my sadness and moments of grief. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Those that turn into great friendships. What is your greatest joy? Hot showers in the morning. What is your greatest fear? Not living to my fullest potential. What is your guilty pleasure? Hands down, ice cream and gelato. What word or phrase do you use far too often? You can’t treasure what you can’t measure. What natural talent have you neglected? Making connections. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Doctors and chefs. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Coaching and personal development; travel; Costco. What is at the top of your bucket list? Company exit; hiring a professional CEO. How do you relieve stress? Remote work. What is your go-to workout? Orange Theory. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? A high pressure shower head.
What was your first paying job? Training wild horses. What was your favorite college course? Meditation and Mindfulness. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Poly Pockets. What book have you repeatedly read? Conscious Loving, by Gay Hendricks and Kathlyn Hendricks; 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman and Kaley Warner Klemp. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Super Size Me. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Statement paintings. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My mentors and investors. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Pick and choose your battle. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Identify and strengthen your strengths. Everything else, delegate. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? iPhone. What is your favorite app? E-mail. What is your go-to source of news and information? Facebook. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Instagram. What company or organization do you most admire? Zoom. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? My dad’s accident on my 16th birthday.
What is your big idea?
Elevating human consciousness.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Supporting highly influential leaders to collectively bring awareness to conscious and sustainable building. What change would you like to see in the world? An increase in conscious leadership practice and embodiment. What message do you want to send out into the world? That committing to personal development and growth can lead to empowered and exponential impact. What widely held belief do you reject? Fake it ‘till you make it. What mega-trend most excites you? Automation aimed at unleashing full human potential. What mega-trend most concerns you? The misuse of technology platforms.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Never Say Never. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Anna Kindrick. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My cat, Nabi. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An astronaut. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Memorabilia and all my collections built over the years. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my family and very close friends, eating a favorite meal and catching up. What advice would you give your younger self? I can choose whether the world happens “to me” or happens “by me” and accept that life happens “for me” and “through me”. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? My brother’s wedding. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? I would have chosen Berkeley over UCLA.
Personal mission: Elevating human consciousness and increasing social emotional learning accessibility. Personal motto: Go as a river. Favorite quote: “The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself” (Jordan Belfort). Desired epitaph: Empowered divine goddess.
