Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucia Tran.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m Lucia and I’m a workaholic. Oh okay, this isn’t Workaholics Anonymous. I’ve been working for more than half my life. I’m 26. I was very computer-savvy early on, and somehow started dabbling into web designing – it then became work out of scarcity. It helped to pay my family’s apartment rent, I mean – a few hundred bucks here and there felt like magic.
In 2010, I created a print publication called Zooey (name was inspired by the book Franny and Zooey), and it was essentially a women’s lifestyle magazine. We covered the positive side of entertainment, empowering stories, and beyond. After four years (the entirety of my college career), I folded it. I was pursuing public relations towards the end of college, and juggling both was quite insane.
After public relations, I organically started running more creative productions – helping companies create advertisements, video work, social media assets, etc. So far, so good. My wee company is called ‘Her’ – it’s female-led and heavily focused on hiring and casting more diversity.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was part of a community service club in high school and our mentor Jeff was a vital part to calming me the f*ck down. He once told me the road to success, however you define it, is not a straight line. It’s twisty and full of dead ends and u-turns, etc. My life has been exactly that, like many others too I’m sure.
I grew up with financial hardship. Practically born into debt. So that has always been difficult to endure – the thought if you were coming home to find dinner or not, and making sure there’s enough dollars for rent. In addition, school was rough.
I grew up in a competitive district, so I had to fight to maintain decent grades to get into college (UCLA). That was my way out of what felt like a black hole.
Besides being a child during the start of my ‘career,’ I believe the other challenge was simply getting folks to invest in whatever the product was. Whether that was my public relations service or the magazine. I had to learn how to do better with each magazine issue, bend backwards in public relations, and not just work hard… but work smart. I’m still learning as I grow this creative production company.
Her Studio – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Her Studio is a creative production company that creates advertisements (photography and video). We create a lot of assets for women’s and kids’ lifestyle brands – like Storq, Solly Baby, Kira Kids, Alice + Ames, etc.
It’s female-led (oh heyyy), and I’m extremely keen on hiring and casting diverse talent. I want to make sure representation is always at the forefront of Her Studio. People want the opportunity to have opportunities. In this way, I can help in propelling others.
I don’t take on any clients who do not align with Her’s vision. Media is the ultimate tool in swaying our culture – I’d like to think Her is one small part of that positive change.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Oh gosh, I think Lizzo sums that up in “Like a Girl.” “Buy my whip by myself / Pay my rent by myself.” Haha!
I think there’s not one moment, but it’s the very fact that I’ve become self-sufficient. It’s a relief. Although I still operate out of scarcity, I know that I’ll be okay.
All in all, my independence helps me to help others. There’s a quote by Sam Levenson (often recited by Audrey Hepburn):
“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands: one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”
I think that’s the most important lesson. As I’m able to rise, I must help raise others. Her Studio is (hopefully) doing just that – raising funds for migrant families affected by our administration, helping local refugees and immigrants, and more.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.herstudioco.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/herstudioco
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