Meet Tiffang Zheng

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tiffang Zheng. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tiffang below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Tiffang with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I have a very strong work ethic because I started working at a very young age. I started doing restaurant work at the ripe age of 15 and during quarantine. One of my ex-friends recommended I work at a Vietnamese restaurant with her, and because I wanted to gain experience and also make extra cash on the side, I agreed. The first few days on the job were not so bad, just your typical restaurant work; however, that was just the beginning. On the third week of the job, that was when things started to change. The boss would make me do all the side work as well as scrubbing bathroom walls and killing bugs on the window. The last straw was the boss making me eat week-old basil as my shift meal. That day I cried in the bathroom wondering what I did to deserve this, and I told my parents that night, which shocked them, and they made me quit right away. After that experience I was quite traumatized, as I normalized the way I was treated at that place. When I entered a new working environment, I was very anxious and always did everything beforehand to avoid scoldings or any mistakes. Later, when I grew closer to my peers, I explained my first workplace culture and how I was treated. They were shocked at how I was treated and told me that it was not normal to be treated like that at work. Looking back, I am thankful for every hardship and experience I have faced because it made me the person I am today. A strong, hardworking soul, although a different approach may have been appropriate because I was so young and it was my first job, I think they also took advantage of me. However, no matter where I go in life, I will always remember where I came from and take those past experiences with me.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a driven and enthusiastic undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in marketing. I’m looking for a job in marketing where I can use and further develop my strong critical thinking, communication, and customer relationship management skills. With a strong background in marketing concepts and a sincere interest in learning about customer behavior and brand strategy, I’m excited to contribute to a vibrant team atmosphere. My goal is to assist with meaningful marketing campaigns while accumulating practical experience that will prepare me for future success in the field. I love marketing because the creativity is endless, and it’s also not your typical office job where you go in and do the same assigned tasks every day; instead, each day is different and filled with adventure, whether it’s meeting with a new client, attending a social event, or creating content. Marketing is something I can truly see myself doing for the next 10+ years because the possibilities are endless.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back three skills that had the biggest impact on my journey were adaptability, empathy and communication, and strategic thinking. Being adaptive allowed me to remain ahead of trends and constantly improve my approach in the ever-changing world of marketing and branding. Empathy and great communication abilities allowed me to connect with audiences on a deeper level and work effectively with teams. Strategic thinking helped me see the larger picture and integrate creative efforts with corporate objectives. For those just starting out, my advice is to never stop being curious—consume as much industry knowledge as possible and stay up to date on developing trends. Storytelling is at the heart of effective branding, so include it into everything you do. Most essential, begin developing your own ideas, even if they are modest or personal, and be open to critique. True progress comes from doing, reflecting, and always improving.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

If I knew I only had a decade to live, I would use it wisely, focusing on what actually important. I would prioritize meaningful relationships with family and close friends, allowing for genuine connection, shared experiences, and long-lasting memories. I’d pursue jobs and creative initiatives that have a purpose beyond accomplishment, particularly ones that allow me to leave a positive legacy or inspire others. I would travel frequently, not just to visit sights, but also to immerse myself in new cultures and perspectives. I would also make time to give back, whether through mentorship, volunteering, or using my abilities to help causes I believe in. Most importantly, I would attempt to spend each day with appreciation, being present in little moments and appreciating the beauty of everyday life. A limited time frame would serve as a reminder to live more courageously, love more openly, and worry less about things that are fleeting.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tzhengprofolio.my.canva.site/
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffang-zheng-58404532a