Meet Stacy Pong

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stacy Pong a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Stacy , thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?

My ability to communicate effectively developed through a combination of curiosity, education, and professional experiences. Growing up in a Chinese-American household where emotions were rarely expressed, I became curious about improving mine. This curiosity led me to own my personal development, and in college, I enrolled in communication courses to advance my nonverbal and interpersonal skills. Later, working in hospitality and sales, I rapidly developed my emotional intelligence, an essential quality that supports effective communication.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Effective communication and networking have been the cornerstone of my success, enabling me to build meaningful relationships and connections that have enriched both my life and career. Personally, this has allowed me to create deeper bonds with friends and loved ones while also identifying unreciprocated efforts. Professionally, as a freelance copywriter, understanding and fulfilling my clients’ needs through effective communication has often resulted in referrals that have fueled my business growth.

The importance of communication extends to networking, which I believe is crucial for both personal and professional growth. When you are more connected to yourself, you can confidently and authentically share your true self with the world!

Recognizing the value of these connections and the role communication plays in sustaining them, The Exchange was born—a networking community for online service providers and entrepreneurs. My early entrepreneurial experience as a freelance copywriter showed me the power of referrals and the continuous effort required to build and maintain meaningful connections. Networking is an ongoing process; it doesn’t stop just because you have clients and your business is generating revenue. I prioritize the people who matter and focus my energy on those who reciprocate.

Launched in May 2024, The Exchange is designed specifically for committed entrepreneurs and online business owners eager to improve how they connect, learn more about themselves, and achieve their goals. I am passionate about supporting their efforts and helping them find comfortable networking strategies that work for them. The true magic of The Exchange is that it’s not about me—it’s about the community.

In addition to my work as a community leader, I also serve as a business matchmaker. When working with my clients, I leverage my extensive network to recruit, screen, and interview candidates for positions they need to fill. But it’s more than just recruitment because most people could do the job; it’s about going beyond that to find the parallels within personalities. This ensures that they not only find talented individuals but also those who align well with their company culture, vision, and values.

Networking skills are not something you’re just born with. I like to think of this community as a safe and fun ‘charm school of networking.’ Nothing brings me more joy than helping my members find the missing pieces they need to bridge gaps in their networking efforts. I believe everyone deserves meaningful connections and to find community, even if it’s not with The Exchange.

To learn more about The Exchange and to apply, visit https://www.stacypong.com/the-exchange

The Founders rate will increase soon, so book your coffee chat with me today!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three qualities or skills that have been the most impactful in my journey are organization, communication, and adaptability.

Being an entrepreneur and business owner means being pulled in many different directions. Staying organized and on top of important documents and tracking finances is crucial to the sustainability of a small business.

Having strong communication skills will take you far! Whether it’s sharing what you do or having a discovery call with a client, this is a skill that always needs to be sharpened. Never give up on this skill; you’ll use it daily!

Adaptability is essential for those ‘bad days’ or when things don’t go as planned (it happens!). You can’t control every aspect of your business or what happens along the journey, but if you can adapt, you’ll be okay in the end.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal member for The Exchange is tired of unproductive interactions and is hopeful about finding meaningful connections with other online business owners. This person values collaboration over competition and is eager to share their knowledge while remaining open-minded about learning from others. They welcome feedback and new ideas, understanding that there is always room for growth. They believe in the power of relationships and are ready to start focusing on expanding their network with quality individuals they can rely on. Even if they are unsure how to get started, they recognize the importance of forming connections that lift them up and support their goals. Additionally, they have a passion for helping others connect when they can and embody the collaborative spirit of The Exchange.

As a business matchmaker, my ideal client is a busy entrepreneur ready to discover hidden gem talent they wouldn’t find on their own. Their business is going well, and they need some help fulfilling a role that will take them to the next level! They are willing to let go, trust, and invest time with me to share everything about their business. These clients are eager to save time (because time is money) and ready to let me leverage my extensive network to find the best support for them. They understand that choosing three top candidates may take a month and are confident that this bespoke recruiting approach will yield significant benefits for their business in the end.

If either of these are you, let’s chat!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Victoria Chrystal Photography

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Portraits of Resilience

Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our

Productivity
Perspectives on Staying Creative

We’re beyond fortunate to have built a community of some of the most creative artists,

Confidence
Kicking Imposter Syndrome to the Curb

This is the year to kick the pesky imposter syndrome to the curb and move