Every successor to a family business faces a defining crossroads: do you join out of obligation, or out of inspiration? For me, that moment arrived during my first year of university in 2008. I vividly remember reading about Ms. Vưu Lệ Quyên, now the CEO of Biti’s, and her journey of launching the premium brand Gosto. Her fierce ambition to elevate Vietnamese footwear and bring it to the global stage struck a powerful chord within me. Looking at Lien Doan, our company with over 30 years of history in crafting shoe soles, I realized our potential was limitless. We weren't just manufacturing components; we were shaping the foundation of how the world walks. In that exact moment, my mindset shifted from "inheriting a job" to "carrying a mission." I wanted to build on our legacy and help take Vietnamese footwear to the world.
However, implementing new strategies requires the hardest currency to earn in a family business: trust. As a young successor, you cannot simply demand respect from veteran staff who have dedicated decades to the company’s legacy. To bridge this generational divide, I adopted an "outside-in" approach. Rather than trying to immediately overhaul our core operations, I proved my capabilities independently and focused on building my own track record by spearheading external projects and launching new ventures in other industries.
When these outside ventures succeeded, they demonstrated my strategic vision, financial discipline, and resilience. Seeing tangible results achieved outside the comfort zone of the parent company changed everything. The older staff and my family no longer just saw the "founder's child"—they saw a proven leader. Winning their trust wasn't about winning an argument or a negotiation; it was about demonstrating value through action.
In retrospect, of all the lessons from my university days, the most impactful one for my journey came from a negotiation class centered on the book Getting to Yes. It taught me that negotiation isn’t about winning or forcing concessions; it is about uncovering principled, interest-based solutions where both parties thrive. Whether I am dealing with international clients or aligning with our internal teams, I don’t approach discussions as battlegrounds. Instead, I focus on mutual gains, ensuring that every partnership we forge is a "perfect fit"—a true Solemate connection built on shared value.
Today, blending thirty years of foundational wisdom with fresh entrepreneurial energy, we are not just maintaining a family business—we are evolving its soul.
However, implementing new strategies requires the hardest currency to earn in a family business: trust. As a young successor, you cannot simply demand respect from veteran staff who have dedicated decades to the company’s legacy. To bridge this generational divide, I adopted an "outside-in" approach. Rather than trying to immediately overhaul our core operations, I proved my capabilities independently and focused on building my own track record by spearheading external projects and launching new ventures in other industries.
When these outside ventures succeeded, they demonstrated my strategic vision, financial discipline, and resilience. Seeing tangible results achieved outside the comfort zone of the parent company changed everything. The older staff and my family no longer just saw the "founder's child"—they saw a proven leader. Winning their trust wasn't about winning an argument or a negotiation; it was about demonstrating value through action.
In retrospect, of all the lessons from my university days, the most impactful one for my journey came from a negotiation class centered on the book Getting to Yes. It taught me that negotiation isn’t about winning or forcing concessions; it is about uncovering principled, interest-based solutions where both parties thrive. Whether I am dealing with international clients or aligning with our internal teams, I don’t approach discussions as battlegrounds. Instead, I focus on mutual gains, ensuring that every partnership we forge is a "perfect fit"—a true Solemate connection built on shared value.
Today, blending thirty years of foundational wisdom with fresh entrepreneurial energy, we are not just maintaining a family business—we are evolving its soul.
