Story & Lesson Highlights with Justine Wentzell-Chang of South Bay

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Justine Wentzell-Chang. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Justine, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
My kids make me laugh every day, but the other day, we were out walking in the neighborhood and we saw a huge rainbow. My 5 year old asked if we could go find the pot of gold at the end of it. At first I told him it’s probably too far, but as we kept walking, I realized that it looked like the rainbow was landing right on top of King’s Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant.

So of course, we turned it into an adventure. And if you’re not familiar with King’s Hawaiian, except for the sweet rolls you can get in grocery stores, in their bakery they have a Paradise cake, a 3-layered cake with a green, pink, and orange layer. They also have a sliced loaf made out of the same kind of sweet roll bread you’re used to, but it’s made in these same “rainbow” colors and it’s called Rainbow bread. So, I said to my son, “Omg…I think I figured it out. Paradise cake and Rainbow bread are made from actual, real rainbows!!” And then of course we bought a slice and a loaf so that we could have a taste of fresh rainbow. My son was so excited, it lit me up. And his responses had me giggling and belly laughing.

I love sparking my kids’ imaginations and listening to where it takes them. And to be able to have spontaneous moments like this fills my heart and soul with pure joy. My son’s excitement, sweet thoughts, and funny comments made me laugh and feel proud of the little human I’m raising.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an Eldest Daughter of Immigrants, Mother, Activist, and your Station Master/Chief Word Witch at Red Balloon Station, bringing you strategic messaging and story-centered, conscious copywriting services.

With a law degree and over a decade of experience making & writing movies that sell globally, I learned a thing or two about writing stories that sell. Now I’m here to give my fellow equity-driven Women of color entrepreneurs, leaders, and creatives (and our equity allies!) a spoonful of strategy and conviction to make their words convert…in the most unforgettable way!

Your story deserves to be told—by you. For too long, others have controlled the narrative, distorting the brilliance, resilience, and impact of Women of Color and other systemically marginalized communities. But we’re here to change that, because we’re not just building brands, we’re shaping culture, challenging the status quo, and creating a ripple effect of empathy, equity, and positive change. My job? To make sure your messaging reflects that magic—clearly, confidently, and with staying power.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I didn’t realize it until just a few years ago, but I believe my aunt saw me clearly before I could see myself. I only realized it when she mentioned certain things she noticed about me as a child, that I thought no one noticed but myself. And even though I’m now 37, 7-year-old me finally felt seen. She also pointed out that I am more like my dad than my brother is, in terms of our ambitions, determination, and perseverance. I hadn’t realized that before, and it felt good to be seen that way, because most people compare what’s easily seen on the outside – like our interests, job titles, etc. But in these two ways, she saw through the layers and that felt really validating. I’m grateful for her.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When I first got out of an abusive relationship just after college, weirdly, I didn’t fully comprehend what I had just survived. It wasn’t until I started seeing a therapist and she helped me realize and understand what exactly I had just experienced. It wasn’t just the physical abuse, but the emotional and verbal, too.

And sometimes this sounds a bit like a dream or TV show, but I remember as part of my initial healing journey, I asked my parents if we could take a family trip to London and Paris. Those were my two favorite cities and for some reason I felt called to go there. So we went, and as we were headed there I remember something visceral changing in me – like I could feel everything in my mind and body click back into place.

Finally, I was starting to feel the anger that I should feel, and as soon as I stepped foot on Parisian soil, it was like my entire being just knew that there was no going back. I was 22 and had so much life to live and so much that I wanted to accomplish. Heck, I was starting law school in a couple months!

So it was from that moment forward, that I started using my pain as power. Everything I was learning about abuse, I wanted to share with others because I didn’t want anyone to be blindsided like I was by abuse. I was so mad that no one ever talked to us about healthy relationships as kids and teenagers, so I started volunteering and advocating with youth-focused and youth-led organizations. I spoke to middle and high school classes about healthy relationships.

And that was the first time I channeled the power of storytelling to have a positive impact.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie of marketing is that you’re always selling or that you always have to sell. No, you don’t always have to sell. In fact, marketing isn’t about pushing people to buy. It’s about shaping culture, building trust, and helping people make better choices. To really grow your business and build a lasting legacy, you have to serve, connect, and create value. Sales then naturally flow from this.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days. 
Recently, I noticed a lot of people around me complaining about their work. And I realized that I don’t have anything to complain about. I LOVE my work. I get so excited to collaborate with and support my clients, especially because they are all incredible humans doing incredible things and leading from a values-aligned place.

So yes, I’m tap dancing to and at work, because I’m excited for what I’m building and what’s to come in the next year or two.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.redballoonstation.com
• Instagram: @redballoonstation
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-isforjawesome/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@redballoonstation
• Other: https://substack.com/@justinechang

Image Credits
Me, my iphone, and I.