Tag: University of Louisville

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Louisville Business First’s 2024 Most Admired CEOs and Business Impact Awards: A Night of Inspiration and Gratitude

On Thursday, November 21, 2024, Louisville’s brightest business leaders gathered at the Galt House Hotel’s Archibald Cochran Room for a night of celebration at the 2024 Most Admired CEOs and Business Impact Awards, hosted by Louisville Business First. Among the honorees was Di Tran, CEO of Louisville Beauty Academy, whose journey and heartfelt gratitude speech captured the essence of the American Dream.

A Moment of Honor and Reflection

Di Tran, joined by his wife Vy Truong, his esteemed mentors including Ray Brundige, Clark Cox, Rick Dye, and his school director Crystal Beeler, expressed deep appreciation for the recognition. Sharing the spotlight with some of Louisville’s most influential leaders, Di Tran humbly thanked Louisville Business First for elevating businesses across the city, including his own series of small businesses that have made a significant economic impact.

Di Tran’s Speech: “Vietnamese Born, American Made”

In his acceptance speech, Di Tran reflected on his inspiring journey:

*”I am Vietnamese Born, American Made. It is all God, and the United States of America is the number one country on Earth. Louisville City and Kentucky State are the most beautiful places for me. I came here in 1995 with zero English, sponsored by Catholic Charities. My ESL teacher taught me the language—can you understand me now? Thanks to them, I stand before you today.

Being honored alongside the President of the University of Louisville is surreal because UofL made me a computer engineer with a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Sullivan University gave me PhD-level education. Each of you, one way or another, has had a hand in shaping me into who I am today. That’s why I call the United States number one—because of the love and opportunities it gives to people like me.”*

A Legacy of Impact

Di Tran didn’t stop there. He turned the spotlight to his business, Louisville Beauty Academy, which he credits as a significant force for workforce development in the city:

“With our school director, Crystal Beeler—whom I call the Most Admired School Director—we have lifted over 1,000 lives, transforming them into licensed beauty professionals. Many of these graduates now own salons worth more than half a million dollars, contributing between $20 million to $50 million in annual economic impact. And we are just getting started.”

A Grateful Heart

Di Tran closed his speech by thanking his mentors, his wife, and Louisville Business First for the honor of being among such great leaders. He emphasized his gratitude to the USA and God, the foundations of his success.

The event was not just a celebration of achievements but a testament to the resilience, determination, and community spirit that make Louisville and the United States a beacon of opportunity and progress.

Congratulations to All Honorees

Di Tran shares this prestigious recognition with an incredible group of leaders, including Melisa Adkins (UofL Health), Summer Auerbach (Rainbow Blossom Inc.), and many others who continue to inspire and elevate Louisville’s business community.

Here’s to another year of innovation, leadership, and impact in Louisville!

Louisville Beauty Academy continues its mission of transforming lives through beauty education. To learn more or enroll, visit www.LouisvilleBeautyAcademy.net or text 502-625-5531.

REFERENCES

https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/c/get-to-know-our-2024-most-admired-ceos.html

https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/c/get-to-know-our-2024-most-admired-ceos/30283/di-tran.html

https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2024/10/03/announcing-here-are-lbfs-most-admired-ceos-honoree.html

https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/event/169496/2024/most-admired-ceosbusiness-impact-awards

LICENSE YOUR BEAUTY TALENT TODAY – Enroll to Louisville Beauty Academy, the leading licensed beauty school in Kentucky, offering unmatched affordability. Seize our exclusive Big Incentive Scholarship and special discounts today – 2024 opportunities like this are unparalleled!
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Uncategorized

Di Tran: A Journey from Immigrant Small Business Owner to Global Business Mentor

In 1995, Di Tran, a native of Vietnam, arrived in the United States with no knowledge of the English language. Despite facing language barriers and often being the target of ridicule, he tenaciously built a series of successful small businesses. This journey forged him into a serial entrepreneur, undeterred by obstacles and challenges, embodying the spirit of the American Dream.

Fast forward to the present, Tran is a co-judge at the Cardinal Challenge, a prestigious startup competition where he evaluates pitch presentations along with fellow immigrant professionals and business owners. But beyond his role as a judge, Tran passionately emphasizes the need for fostering the next generation of small business entrepreneurs. He is a living testament that the American Dream isn’t a faded notion but a reality that exists here and now.

Globalization isn’t a novel concept, but its effective implementation necessitates a coherent, supportive framework. Tran believes that building such a system requires collaboration between higher educational institutions like the University of Louisville and community business leaders. The aim is to facilitate the movement of talents and resources between countries, such as the USA and Vietnam.

He isn’t just talking about it; Tran is actively working towards this vision. His ambition extends beyond national borders, aspiring to serve global talents and business owners across the world. To achieve this, he is laying the foundation through Di Tran Enterprises, a company that leverages innovative cloud solutions and AI-driven IT tools.

Tran’s story is one of perseverance, innovation, and unyielding ambition. His journey from an immigrant with limited English skills to a judge at a startup competition, and now a global business mentor, demonstrates that hard work and determination can break down even the most formidable barriers.

In his words, “God blesses America and all who work hard for their goals.” It is clear that he believes in the potency of hard work, the transformative power of education, and the limitless possibilities of entrepreneurship. Di Tran’s journey is a testament to the American Dream in the global age, proving that dreams can thrive wherever the spirit of entrepreneurship is fostered and nurtured.

PS: As Di Tran watched Chris Ratterman elaborate on his journey of building his company and his relentless daily efforts to make sales, he felt a profound sense of alignment. Tran’s own journey has mirrored this tireless hustle for over twenty years. From making social media posts, writing articles, standing at conference booths, selling to customers, investors, and clients – every action has been infused with the same degree of dedication and zeal. Despite the inevitable stress, the process is beautiful and enjoyable, offering rewards that transcend material gain. The value he adds to his community reflects in the tangible returns he receives, reaffirming the maxim: the more you give, the more you get. In Tran’s case, this has indeed materialized in millions of dollars, but the true reward lies in the journey and the countless lives his work touches every day.

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Information Technology Leadership Development Self-Improve Small Businesses Workforce Development

Serial Entrepreneur Di Tran Launches Cloud-Based Platform MiaHire to Streamline Job Interview Process and Eliminate Biases

DTE - MiaHire
DTE - MiaHire

Serial entrepreneur Di Tran is leveraging his extensive experience in job interviewing to streamline the process and eliminate biases with his new cloud-based online platform, MiaHire. Having applied for jobs twice a week for 20 years, Tran has done at least 1,000 interviews as a job applicant and another 1,000 as a hiring manager for his 10 different businesses. MiaHire, which was launched a year ago in Vietnam by co-founder Truong Dinh Hoang, has already been used by 30 companies in the country and 10 in Japan, resulting in close to 10,000 recorded interviews for white-collar tech jobs for college graduates.

The online platform enables candidates to automatically record initial video responses that relate to the job opening, with assessments of multiple evaluators conducted through the platform to eliminate biases. MiaHire also aims to simplify the process for recruiters and HR professionals by removing the need to deal with multiple recruitment sites, screen resumes and arrange interviews, among other pain points. The platform is subscription-based, with companies buying tickets for one interview, ranging from as low as $4 to as high as $10, depending on the number of interviews purchased.

MiaHire’s revenue model is similar to other third-party hiring sites, and the company has funding from Asia, with Tran and his business partner Anthony Beida seeking American users. Tran hopes to hire an American sales team, English-speaking support team and American consulting team to launch the solution in Louisville, aiming to make it the city’s tech hub. The company also plans to offer multi-month trial periods to American companies to test the market. Tran hopes to have at least 10 American companies as customers and hundreds to thousands of job applicants in the US within a year.

Tran’s vision for MiaHire is shaped by his own experience of facing numerous rejections after applying for 400 jobs after graduating from the University of Louisville’s J.B. Speed School for Engineering in 2006. His commitment to resolving the pain points of the job interview process, along with his extensive entrepreneurial experience, is driving MiaHire’s mission to improve the recruitment process for both recruiters and job applicants.

References:

https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/inno/stories/profiles/2023/03/28/di-train-miahire-startup-hiring-job-applicants.html

Louisville Business First – Di Tran Enterprise

https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/search/results?q=Di+Tran

Louisville Business First – Di Tran Enterprise
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Small Businesses

From Immigrant to Entrepreneur: The Inspiring Story of Anthony Pham, Owner of Dalat’s Gateaux and Cafe

Viet Bao Louisville, KY
Viet Bao Louisville, KY

Anthony Pham is a Vietnamese immigrant who came to the United States in search of a better life. Just like many other Vietnamese Americans, he escaped the country by boat in the 1980s and settled in California with his uncle. He worked hard to make a life for himself and his family and was determined to obtain a higher education.

Pham is not only a successful engineer, but he is also a loving husband and father. He has two twin daughters who are high-achievers and have followed in his footsteps of hard work and dedication. When he heard that the previous owner of Dalat’s Gateaux and Cafe – Banh Mi, Boba Teas, located at 6915 Southside Dr, Louisville, KY 40214 was retiring and closing the business, he saw an opportunity to provide a place for his daughters to work and gain experience while they attend college. He also wanted to provide a gathering place for students at the University of Louisville.

Family Business

Pham’s goal is to turn his business into an empire, just like other successful chain restaurants like Qdoba and Panera Bread. He is focused on the 4Ps – product, price, promotion, and place – and is building a protocol and standardized process to ensure the success of his business. His passion for providing delicious and fresh food, combined with his business savvy, is sure to make Dalat’s Gateaux and Cafe a success for many years to come.

Anthony Pham is a true inspiration to us all, especially to the Vietnamese immigrant community. He has worked hard to build a better life for himself and his family and is now giving back to the community by providing a place for students to gather and his daughters to work and gain experience. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors and know that he will succeed in turning his business into an empire. If you’re in the Louisville area, be sure to stop by Dalat’s Gateaux and Cafe at 6915 Southside Dr, Louisville, KY 40214 and try some of their delicious banh mi and boba teas.