Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Hong.
Hi Grace, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in New York City as the child of two Korean immigrants who spoke very little English. They managed to build several small businesses, and one day, they mysteriously lost all of them. I woke up to a moving van packing up furniture and never said goodbye to my friends. We drove to Massachusetts to start a new life under much more humble circumstances. My home life was violent, and I learned to compartmentalize and cope with it. My mother suffered from schizophrenia, among other mental disorders, and I was a parental figure, helping to take care of my parents’ affairs and my sister from a young age. By the time I was in first grade, I was taking care of my sister and cooking while my parents were at work. I strangely think this prepared me for leadership or at least a life of being responsible. People were so reliant on me, and I could only rely on myself as well.
Even though my childhood was tough, I had big dreams. The two constant themes have been music and a deep desire to make the world a better place. Both are deeply ingrained in the fabric of who I am, and no matter how far I’ve progressed in my business career, not pursuing those two areas meaningfully has kept me out of balance. I got a scholarship to a boarding school, Phillips Academy Andover, which completely changed the trajectory of my life. I was able to leave my home life behind and reinvent myself. I was surrounded by brilliant kids, world-class musicians, and incredible resources. The school’s motto, non sibi, not for one’s self, still sticks with me today.
While music was always my passion, it was also associated with many difficult things in my life. I could never believe in my own abilities and potential. I absorbed the negative experiences perhaps too deeply and ended up quitting it completely.
I chose a path that felt more secure, ending up in the corporate world. I started my career at a social science think tank, consulted for former presidents of African countries, worked on Wall Street, and progressed to a number of senior executive roles at a large global conglomerate. I was ambitious, a workaholic, and single-mindedly focused on my career. I barely slept, was never home, and took pride in how much I could take on without cracking. The reality was that I was cracking on the inside and felt trapped by goals that weren’t really my own.
Eventually, I made the change I needed to. I left my job and New York City without any plans, became nomadic and traveled around the world, and ended up in LA. It was a scary period. I was lost and felt like a failure. I had no idea where I was going and grasping for answers. I also started to hear myself more clearly for the first time in a long time.
LA has always captured my imagination—in a visceral way, the way music has. It was fitting that I came here with a plan to stay for two months and never left. I started writing songs about my life, meeting musicians, taking classes, and tapping into my creative side. I became even more deeply spiritual and immersed myself in communities of positive like-minded people. Getting into music production and Ableton really opened up my scope of vision and sense of possibility. The tools and palette to create on that level on your own is powerful.
Towards the end of 2019, I started dating my now-husband, Martin Wave, who is also a music producer. Three months later, as LA was going on lockdown, we decided to get married and ended up in quarantine together. The funny thing is that you would think that someone like me who’s always wanted to make music would be thrilled to end up in a relationship with a successful music producer. The reality is that it was difficult, but I really feel that karmically we both needed to face a lot within ourselves. Our marriage pushed us to face those lessons. We broke through a lot as individuals, creators, and as a creative couple. This period of quarantine was special. Not only did we get married; we arrived at a place where we could work on our solo artist projects. It was a new thing for both of us.
I recently released my first two singles and music video under the artist identity, Nolo Grace. I’m really excited about the project but also exploring my artistry in an expansive way. I also have my business career as a Senior Advisor at the private equity firm TPG Global and am Vice Chair of OpenSecrets. In the future, I see myself integrating these three poles of my life – creative, business, and philanthropic – in a way that feels holistic and impactful for both myself and the world at large.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The period of leaving my home and job behind was really tough. I was extremely lost and looking for clear answers. In that vein, I really do think the biggest struggles have been internal, battling fear, self-doubt, and anxiety. It was hard for me to trust things would work out. This state of mind ended up attracting further difficulty and stress into my life. Our thoughts do create our reality, and even when you feel far from where you want to be, you have to believe you’ll get there. I’ve tried to rush to outcomes, but in the end, that’s been counterproductive. The process of reinvention takes a lot of trial and error and experimentation. Things will unfold in the timetable they’re meant to.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have a multi-faceted career that spans music, business, and philanthropy. I’m a Senior Advisor at the private equity firm TPG, release music under the name Nolo Grace, and am Vice Chair of the Center for Responsive Politics/OpenSecrets.
I bring a unique perspective and skillset to everything I do because I’ve occupied many realms and worlds. I bring artistry and creativity to my business career in developing strategies, products, and systems. I’m still learning about the industry, but I’m starting to apply my business skills to growing my music career as well.
I’m most proud of my artist project, Nolo Grace! It’s always been my dream to make music, but I don’t think I could’ve imagined that I would get to where I am today…I’m not only writing songs but also singing, producing, and collaborating with high-profile artists like Sean Kingston. I love the visual medium and making the music videos have been really incredible creative project. I realized how much I love that medium of storytelling and how it adds a whole other dimension to my music and the messages I want to get across.
What sets me apart, at least in the musical realm, is a lot. I’m a 39 years old Korean woman who had a corporate career, decided to learn how to make beats, and is now going for something I’ve always dreamed of pursuing. I imagine it looks kind of strange to people who’ve known me for a long time, but I hope it inspires other people to follow their hearts.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Only you know what’s best for yourself, and things will unfold the way that they are meant to. Many people will try to tell you what you should do, what you can and cannot do. That’s all through the prism of their experience and what they know about you from the past. I think what’s helped me a lot is meditation and a surrounding myself with people who have helped me clear through my limiting beliefs. The belief systems that surround you have a force. Meditation and visualization have helped me access many insights. It’s not exactly a lesson, but I do believe in the power of holding a vision and trusting that it will plant the seed and create the conditions to make it a reality.
It’s been really hard for me to get to a place of acceptance. The truth is that you don’t have to grind yourself to the bone to get what you want. Suffering and self-sacrifice are not preconditions for success. I’ve had to learn this lesson over and over again. I have often felt guilty or like I’m never going to achieve my goals if I’m not working extremely hard to get there. My recent experiences have shown how opportunity really does open up when you’re showing up for yourself when you’re happy, secure, relaxed and approaching the world from a good place.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.nolograce.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nolograce/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/gracexheart/?hl=en - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nolograce/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoloGrace
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/nolograce
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/nolograce
Image Credits:
XKYLAR, Tessa Nesis
