String Nguyen is a founder of The Trusted Voice, an Australian-based company that provides marketing services to business owners and founders. Since 2018, The Trusted Voice has been effectively building influence online.
For more information on The Trusted Voice, go to StringNguyen.com!
Here we sit down with String to learn a bit more about her journey as an entrepreneur
Q. How did you get started? What inspired you?
String: My entrepreneurial journey started on the internet. As a young girl, I felt invisible. So, I turned to the online world to find a space where I could share my voice and be myself. The internet became a laboratory for my fearless experiments, a place where I connected with passionate, global thinkers and doers.
It opened my eyes technology and content creation, and it ignited a passion that made my traditional 9-to-5 job feel too restrictive. Opting out of that job’s security to take control of my destiny was a bold move, especially as the first university graduate in my family. This jump caused my mother to worry about my future. However, witnessing the success I’ve forged on my own has turned her concern into pride.
Q. What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive?
String: Experiment. Fail. Learn. By experimenting, you gain new insights and stay ahead of the curve. It’s how I rapidly grew using video storytelling to gain 50k followers on LinkedIn. Failing teaches you what works and what doesn’t. I see these as valuable lessons.
For instance, launching The Trusted Voice taught me that it was experts and business owners who needed help marketing themselves online—not corporations, which was my initial thought. And as for learning, even as a marketing whiz, there’s always more to understand about what makes a business sustainable. I’m currently learning about AI and its role in scaling content creation.
Q. How do you stay organized with such a busy schedule?
String: For me, staying organized hinges on the strategic division of tasks and a disciplined routine. I tend to live in blocks, for example:
- Deep work block: I typically scheduled a two-hour block each morning. These tasks demand intense focus and minimal distractions. I guard this time in my calendar religiously, using it for the most challenging or urgent projects.
- Shallow work block: This can be responding to emails, messaging teammates, meetings, and other low-intensity tasks. This fits my style when my energy is lower, typically after lunch or in the late afternoon.
- Health block: a sharp mind lives in a fit body. That’s why I carve out regular slots for exercise, like Pilates and bouldering, to maintain physical and mental wellness.
Q. If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?
String: ‘Don’t Be a Chicken: 23 Valuable Lessons on How to Build a Personal Brand Online.’ I’m actually in the process of writing this book because the ideas have been brewing in my mind for a while, and now they’re ready to hatch.
Q. What motivates you?
String: I am motivated by the desire to live without regrets. Losing my older brother taught me the importance of making the most out of every moment. Now, I strive to live life to the fullest, make brave decisions, and fill my days with laughter. This mindset empowered me to leave a cushy 9-to-5 job, experiment online, and carve out my own entrepreneurial path.
Q. What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made
String: One of the best investments I’ve made was in growing a voice online. At the time, I didn’t realise that I was actually building a personal brand. This opened up numerous opportunities, such as launching multiple businesses and establishing a network with innovative thinkers and doers. It’s remarkable what we can achieve when we combine online influence with action.
Q. What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs invest their time in?
String: Commenting on social is an easy low-hanging fruit. Commenting is a great way to engage with a network of influencers while still letting your expertise shine.
Q. What is your ‘one-sentence’ piece of advice you’d like to give to someone who wants to become an entrepreneur, coach, or business owner?
String: Shine online to attract the life and business you dream of— being invisible online is not an option!To keep up to date with String and her journey, connect with her on LinkedIn.
