"GROWTH"
Throughout my journey, growth has been defined by my willingness to take initiative, embrace challenges, and evolve with every project I undertake. From being a supportive team member to taking on leadership roles, I have continuously pushed myself to step outside of my comfort zone. Each year, I’ve built upon past experiences—transforming lessons into action and ideas into impact. Whether founding a new initiative or scaling an existing one, I’ve learned to lead with purpose, adapt with resilience, and collaborate more effectively. These ongoing improvements have sharpened my communication, strategic thinking, and long-term vision. Each project reflects not only my passion and originality but also my commitment to becoming a stronger, more solution-oriented leader.
01
The Five Star Fruit Bros (2023)
I initiated The Five Star Fruit Bros Café with a team of high school students across Hanoi to turn sustainability from theory into practice. Our mission was to build a student-led business model where sustainable development served as a core principle in daily operations. The main challenge was applying sustainability concepts in a real business setting with limited experience, resources, and knowledge of ethical supply chain practices.
To address these issues, I applied the SWOT analysis framework to develop a strategic plan. By identifying our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, we were able to adjust our approach. I benchmarked against similar models in the market, learned from customer feedback, and improved weak points in our operations while maintaining positive elements.
I also designed a 6-month development strategy, including:
- Defining clear KPIs to track performance.
- Launching a brand marketing campaign using KOLs and social platforms like TikTok.
- Creating a detailed financial plan with cash flow forecasts and cost optimization strategies.
- Conducting risk analysis and establishing contingency plans to ensure adaptability.
Simultaneously, I integrated sustainability theories into daily operations using key concepts such as:
- Triple Bottom Line (TBL): balancing economic, environmental, and social factors.
- Circular Economy: reducing waste through recycling and reuse.
- Sustainable Supply Chain Management: sourcing locally and ethically to minimize carbon footprint.
These actions reflected our long-term vision of building a sustainable business model with strategic foresight, adaptability, and real-world impact.
Quantifiable outcomes:
- Served over 300 customers within the first six months.
- Organized 4 hands-on workshops, training more than 120 high school students in sustainable business practices.
- Achieved a 10% profit margin by minimizing costs through local sourcing and waste management.
- Reduced total waste by 40% through composting and recycling initiatives.
- Partnered with 3 local farms to promote ethical and sustainable sourcing.
Non-quantifiable outcomes:
- Enhanced my leadership and team coordination abilities by leading a 12-person student team, delegating tasks, monitoring progress using predetermined KPIs, and effectively handling daily operational concerns.
- My understanding of sustainability as a strategic asset was enhanced by the incorporation of academic theories, such as SWOT analysis, PESTLE review, and sustainable supply chain concepts, into real-world business planning.
- Fostered an entrepreneurial mindset within the team, leading to 5 members launching their own independent ventures inspired by the experiences and lessons gained from our project.
- In our student-run firm, we used theoretical knowledge—like the UN Sustainable Development Goals and business ethical principles—to practical activities that produced quantifiable outcomes.
- Developed a replicable framework for youth-led sustainable business initiatives, which has sparked interest in implementation at two additional high schools in the area.
Fig 06 + 07: Photograph by @NghiemPhuc
02.
B.A.Y "Fiesta" (2022)
B.A.Y "Reunion" (2023)
B.A.Y is an annual event created to facilitate the integration of students from secondary schools worldwide as they enter high school. The primary goal of the event is to offer students a unique opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and form meaningful connections with their peers, easing their transition into a new academic environment. Through a series of interactive workshops, team-building exercises, and extracurricular activities, participants are encouraged to engage with others, share experiences, and develop skills that will help them succeed both socially and academically. The event’s focus on fostering friendships and personal growth aims to alleviate the sense of uncertainty often felt by freshmen, ensuring they feel more confident and well-supported as they begin this important phase of their educational journey.
Fig 08: Photograph by @DinhVietAnh
In 2022, as a member of the B.A.Y “Reunion” team, I contributed to event preparation by assisting with logistics, content creation, and promotional activities. I supported senior coordinators by helping with social media campaigns, participant outreach, and providing on-the-ground support during the event. Although the event was successful, there were clear opportunities for improvement in terms of task delegation, communication efficiency, and sponsorship acquisition.
Fig 09: Photograph by @NgocHa
In 2023, I stepped into a more prominent leadership role as the Project Coordinator for B.A.Y “Reunion” 2023. This transition allowed me to refine my organizational and strategic skills. I applied my learnings from the previous year to address challenges more proactively, leading the team with a clearer focus on prioritization and task management. The core of my approach was streamlining processes, particularly through better coordination and allocation of responsibilities based on team members' strengths. By reducing inefficiencies, I enabled a smoother workflow, which significantly contributed to the success of the event.
Key Improvements and Success in 2023:
- Strategic Planning and Expansion: In 2023, we identified and addressed key weaknesses from the previous year, such as limited outreach and sponsor engagement. I focused on securing strategic partnerships, which helped us secure 3 new sponsors and led to a 60% increase in funding compared to 2022. As a result of this success and the event’s growing impact, the project expanded from its original location to two additional cities in 2023, allowing us to reach more students and create a broader community impact.
- Team Management and Delegation: I introduced a more structured approach to task delegation and team collaboration. With my leadership, we implemented a more efficient peer-led model, where experienced team members mentored new volunteers. I also ensured that resources were available to the team, such as pre-recorded training tutorials, which enhanced onboarding and skill development.
- Impact on Participants: In 2023, B.A.Y “Reunion” reached over 1,500 students, 200 teachers, and 11 external judges, a 50% increase in engagement compared to 2022. The event expanded its scope to 3 locations, providing students from different regions with more opportunities to participate, learn, and grow.
- Promotional Strategy and Charity Initiatives: I led a charity campaign that raised awareness and funds through social media and digital content creation. This initiative directly contributed to the event’s success and helped secure additional sponsorships, further increasing the event's visibility.
Results and Continued Impact: Through my leadership and the team’s collaborative efforts, we not only exceeded our funding goals but also achieved a 95% satisfaction rate from participants. This success laid the foundation for scaling the event to other cities, and we now have plans to replicate the event model at two additional high schools in the coming years. This transformation from a single-city event to a multi-city initiative highlights my ability to drive growth and make impactful decisions that elevate the project's reach and influence.
03.
Young Leader Club (2021-2023)
Young Leader Club (YLC) is a prominent student organization at Newton Secondary & High School, dedicated to organizing and managing the school’s major annual events. With a strong focus on leadership and event coordination, YLC is responsible for planning and executing traditional and cultural celebrations such as Halloween, Lunar New Year (Tết), Christmas, and other themed occasions. Through these activities, YLC provides its members with hands-on experience in project management, communication, and collaborative teamwork, while contributing to the vibrant student life and cultural spirit of the school.
YLC 2021
YLC 2022
YLC 2023
My journey with the Young Leader Club (YLC) began in 2021 as an engaged member, where I participated in workshops and internal projects aimed at cultivating leadership, communication, and social awareness among students. This foundational year allowed me to observe how a student-led organization operates and inspired my deeper involvement.
Fig 10: Photograph by @Ngoclinh
Young Leader Club (YLC) – From Member to Professional Advisor (2021–2023)
1. 2022, as a core team member, I took charge of developing strategic campaign plans by:
- Identifying our target audience through behavior analysis.
- Designing and managing campaign timelines to align with student habits and school schedules.
- Utilizing digital tools such as Facebook, TikTok, and Canva to diversify our outreach and engage a broader student base.
2. This strategic shift led to:
- A 60% increase in social media engagement and nearly double the page views.
- A 70% rise in applications for YLC’s specialty departments.
- Increased club visibility, with invitations as media ambassadors and guest speakers by several other student clubs in Hanoi.
- I also co-led YLC’s first self-funded charity booth, analyzing student preferences to craft attractive offerings, generating notable profits for reinvestment into school initiatives.
- Internally, I introduced onboarding frameworks, ran training sessions on content creation and communication, and promoted a culture of initiative and innovation among members.
3. In 2023, I was honored to be invited back as Professional Advisor due to my contributions and ability to inspire younger members. I supported:
- Strategic planning and proposal review.
- One-on-one mentorship for new leaders.
- Brand building and roadmap development.
Under my guidance, YLC launched its first independent leadership training camp and strengthening our impact and scalability.
Fig 13: Photograph by @HaiAnh
Before reaching these achievements with the Young Leader Club, I faced many personal and social challenges. In my first year, some people looked down on me because I was one of the few female members trying to take on leadership roles. As a newcomer, I wasn’t given many chances to speak up in meetings, and older members didn’t always take my ideas seriously.
I felt discouraged at times, but I didn’t give up. I volunteered for small tasks, stayed active in every event, and kept improving my skills. I took time to listen, learn from others, and help where I could. Slowly, people started to notice my efforts. I was trusted with bigger responsibilities and eventually invited to join the core team.
These early challenges helped me grow stronger, more confident, and more determined to create a welcoming space where all members, especially new or quiet feel seen and valued.
Fig 13: Photograph by @UongMinhDuc
04.
Halloween Organizer “Demande d'aide” (2021) & “Lumturia” (2022)
Halloween is an annual highlight at our school, and YLC plays a key role by organizing an eco-friendly haunted house experience. We creatively reuse recycled materials—like cardboard, fabric scraps, and plastic bottles to design and build the haunted house, promoting sustainability while engaging students. Visitors purchase tickets to enter, with proceeds going to school charity efforts. The event attracts hundreds of students each year and has become a fun, meaningful tradition that blends creativity with social impact.
1. In 2021, as a committee member of Demande d’aide, we successfully engaged over 700 students, raising funds to support 120 underprivileged children in Tả Phìn commune (Lào Cai) with essential supplies such as winter clothing and food.
2. In 2022, upon joining the core team as Head of the Organization for Lumturia, I helped the event achieve a 15% increase in revenue compared to the previous year—setting a new school fundraising record.
Recognizing the increasing digital engagement among students, I initiated and analyzed a survey involving over 500 participants to identify emerging trends and student preferences. The data revealed that approximately 68% of respondents were intrigued by Eastern spiritual beliefs, especially the lesser-known ritual of “Ghost Marriage” (Minh Hôn), which is deeply rooted in Vietnamese folklore.
Capitalizing on these insights, I crafted a cohesive creative vision for the event, selecting Minh Hôn as the central theme for Lumturia 2022. I oversaw all aspects of thematic development, from set design inspired by traditional funeral rituals, to storytelling elements integrated into interactive zones and performances. Each corner of the venue was curated to create an immersive cultural experience that was both educational and emotionally resonant.
To generate pre-event buzz, I scripted and directed a teaser trailer and portrayed the lead actress in the production that combined cinematic visuals, suspenseful narration, and symbolic imagery from the Minh Hôn tradition. The trailer was released across the school’s digital platforms, reaching over 2,000 views in one week, and became one of the most shared student-led productions of the semester. The heightened engagement led to a record-breaking attendance of 400+ students and substantial positive feedback from both participants and faculty.