Chào các bạn, hello friends!
There’s a question I’ve been quietly sitting with lately, one that showed up somewhere between a coaching call, a morning run and an awkward introduction I didn’t feel like salvaging.
The question is this:Who do I let into my store?
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Not a real store, of course. I’m talking about the storefront of my inner world: the one that holds my values, my fears, my joy, the stuff I’ve worked hard to make peace with.
It didn’t always feel like a store. For years, it was more like a locked utility closet. Only a few people were allowed in, fellow computer nerds who understood the way I thought, who liked the same stuff I did, who spoke the language of building and tinkering and dreaming without the need to explain.
They were welcome. Most others? Not so much.
But over time, through intentional self-work and unexpected disruptions, that space inside began to shift. I started rearranging it.
Letting go of inherited beliefs. Clearing out shelves of things I thought I had to be. Meditation, therapy, long walks, hard conversations, all of it helped turn that closet into a place I’m proud to invite others into.
Now it feels more like a store I want to share.Not because it’s perfect.Because it’s honest.
That shift, from performing to simply being has changed the way I connect. With friends. With business partners. With romantic relationships. With strangers I meet at events or over lunch. It’s changed the way I introduce myself too.
I used to rush to prove something. Now, I just let people feel the space. I don’t need to perform. The store speaks for itself.
This is leadership, redefined.Not loud. Not showy. But grounded.It’s about who you are, not what you say.
And science backs it. Research by social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows that people evaluate warmth before competence when deciding to trust someone.
In other words, we connect not because someone is right, but because they feel real.
This week, I felt that in so many small ways.
A coaching session with a founder opened up multiple breakthroughs, not because I brought a powerful framework, but because I stayed present and trusted the space.
Simply reflecting openly on how I managed my own life pillars helped them realize they had never truly examined their priorities through the lens of impact: both personally and in terms of their mental and physical wellness.
I had lunch with someone I’ve known for a while. Nothing groundbreaking was said. But something shifted, we both left lighter.Sometimes, presence matters more than new information.
I was excited to meet someone new, som eone I felt a real connection with. It didn’t work out. The meetup didn’t happen.I was clearly disappointed, I’d been looking forward to this meetup all week, picturing how it might go.
But rather than push or try to force something, I held back and let it be. The result came almost immediately: she offered to reschedule on her own. That felt like a quiet win, a real sign that letting go with grace doesn’t mean giving up, but creating space for things to happen in their own time. It was a reminder that sometimes the best way to build trust and connection is simply to respect the natural flow, even when it’s hard.
And I’m also proud of this:HCMC is now officially part of the Founders Running Club.It’s not just a run group. It’s a signal to the world: Vietnam is on the global map of innovation. We’re not just participating, we’re leading.This is something Tina and I have been building for months. Showing up. Building momentum. Fostering community. And now, it’s real.
I stood quietly at the back and watched the conversations flowing naturally, people connecting, sharing, inspiring each other. Seeing those moments unfold felt deeply fulfilling, Like witnessing the fruits of months of hard work and dedication. That’s when it really clicked for me: this isn’t just a running group, it’s a movement and we’re building something bigger than ourselves.
Founders Pause wrapped its first cohort this week too. The feedback was deeply affirming, warm words from participants that came unprompted. That’s how I know the work is resonating.That’s how I know I don’t need to prove it. The transformation speaks for itself.
The deeper question in all of this is: Who do you let in?When you open your store, who gets access?What do you keep hidden?Where are you still performing and where are you finally just showing up as you are?
And what’s one shelf you’re ready to rearrange?
It might be a small thing, reaching out to someone who makes you feel seen.It might be big, letting go of the idea that you have to be impressive to be loved.
Whatever it is, I want you to know:Your presence is enough.Your story; messy, funny, unfinished - is enough.You don’t have to chase connection.You just have to make space for it.
I want to be real, too, about where I’m speaking from. I’ve had the privilege of time, safety and support to do this inner work. Not everyone has that and I don’t take it for granted. We all open our stores under different conditions. And if yours has been closed for a while, just surviving, just getting through - there’s no shame in that.
But if you’re ready… crack the door open. Just a little.
And if something here landed for you, write back.Tell me:What’s your store like right now?What are you letting go of?Who are you becoming more real with?
This is how we build something better. Together.
Keep it simple, keep it fresh, smile and let it go
Yours truly, Trung
PS: I’m opening space for guest contributors, especially Viet Kieu or diaspora voices. If you have a story about growth, identity, business or belonging, I want to hear it. Let’s co-create something the community needs.
And yes, I’ll be sharing more stories from the running trail and streets of Saigon in future posts, thanks to those of you who asked.
