We recently connected with Judy Tsuei and have shared our conversation below.
Judy, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Raised with authoritarian tiger parents, I was never told that I was good enough, worthy, or beautiful — inside or out.
Despite getting straight A’s, I wasn’t smart.
Despite winning creative writing awards, I wasn’t gifted.
Despite helping to raise my three younger siblings, I was still selfish.
During the most pivotal years of my mental and emotional development, I was repeatedly admonished for being too much: I laughed too loud, I talked too loud, I walked too loud.
My self-esteem came from a personal pursuit of healing.
My confidence came from experience.
It was borne through trial and error.
And, it continues to grow thanks to being a mother now. To know that I represent an example of what my daughter believes can be possible — so that I can be part of the foundation upon which she leaps into her own life.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
It’s time to turn that rage into revenue to create Visionary Visibility for women entrepreneurs, especially women of color.
My name is Judy Tsuei. I’m the founder of Wild Hearted Words, a strategic branding and content marketing agency built on relationships. We transcend the ordinary to ignite profound impact for innovative brands.
Voices like mine aren’t heard. Because I was invisible for so long, I created more than an agency — I created a mission to help other women-owned businesses become seen and heard.
It’s been ingrained intergenerationally that women of color play small. That we stay in the shadows to be ‘safe.’ That we swallow our rage. I struggled with my anger of having to code switch, dealing with the emotional tax of masking, and giving others the benefit of the doubt. This weathering hurts us: mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. I decided to stop internalizing my anger to launch a business that authentically amplifies and connects women founders with their vision, purpose, mission, and audience to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
I’m here to help clients carve paths where brands don’t just speak — we’re shouting for a new future.
For me, for women who look like me, for women who look like my biracial daughter.
We go beyond crafting compelling narratives. We collaborate with industry titans to redefine the narrative landscape for voices that need to be heard.
I’m a 2023 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow and I’ve been featured in Fast Company, NASDAQ, and MindBodyGreen, and more. My book, The Little Book of Tibetan Rites and Rituals debuted in March 2022 (published by Ulysses Press; distributed by Simon & Schuster) and I’ve been a featured speaker and panelist for industry-leading companies.
In 2021, I launched my highly-rated F*ck Saving Face podcast that empowers mental & emotional health for Asian Americans by breaking through taboo topics and driving real conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion using the power of storytelling.
The access we’ve had to power has been relative, shaky, and tenuous. My agency is here to create solid power for women entrepreneurs of color with stories to tell.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Be authentic. Create meaningful connections.
Trust the journey.
Those three approaches to mindset, marketing, and motherhood have been transformative in my life!
I think it’s inherently built within me that I’ve never been able to be anything except for what I am — and while it may not be how everyone feels comfortable living their lives, I’ve always been 100% me in every situation. You’ll find I’m the same person in my business as I am in my personal relationships.
Thankfully, this is what has helped me build a remarkable community. It’s enabled me to stand in my power and radiate that outwards, inspiring others to do the same.
From there, it’s also led to powerful relationships. Relationship-building has been the greatest skill set I’ve ever learned because it’s led to the growth of my sustainable and impactful business, and it’s enabled me to feel “wealthy” in every aspect of my life.
And finally, trusting the journey. That’s probably the hardest part, especially when you’re going through challenges or experiencing down days. As someone who’s gone through multiple bouts of anxiety and depression, I have practiced this approach fully.
Here’s one of my favorite quotes from Rainer Maria Rilke that I come back to time and again:
“I beg you, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.”
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
In a world of instant gratification and constant platform-building or external validation seeking, I loved the books, “Steal Like An Artist,” “Show Your Work,” and “Keep Going,” by Austin Kleon.
These books are simple and filled with beautifully distilled messages that anyone could benefit from reading, especially giving yourself the space to make mistakes when you’re starting. Or, to enjoy the phase you’re in, because multiple gifts are being offered — even if they’re hard to spot.
Luminous Life: How the Science of Light Unlocks the Art of Living by Dr. Jacob Liberman was also a game-changer when it comes to understanding how science and spirituality come together for our greatest growth.
Those books, coupled with a simple statement I once saw posted in a client’s office, have been extremely impactful in my business and my life:
“When something goes wrong in your life, just yell ‘Plot Twist’ and move on.”
And, my personal take has been what I share in my podcast intro: “Life may not always be pretty, but it is indeed beautiful — make your story beautiful today.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wildheartedwords.com
- Instagram: @wildheartedwords
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wildheartedwords
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judytsuei/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildheartedwords
