Meet Kieng

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

Hi Kieng , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience is something deeply personal, something earned through love, sacrifice, and the incredible strength of the people who raised me. It starts with my mother — a single mom and an immigrant who left everything behind to give me a life filled with possibilities. She came to this country with nothing but determination and a dream — not for herself, but for me. She worked countless hours, sometimes holding down multiple jobs, just to keep the lights on and food on the table. And she did it all with grace, never once making me feel like I was a burden. She gave up her own dreams to make sure I had the chance to chase mine.

There’s something incredibly powerful about being raised by someone who sacrifices so much out of pure love. Watching my mother struggle, yet never break, taught me what true strength looks like. Her resilience became my foundation. She showed me that no matter what life throws at you, you keep going. You show up. You fight for the life you believe in — not just for yourself, but for the people you love.

But I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to have other guiding lights along the way. One of the most transformative was Joyce Beck — my first dance teacher, my mentor, and someone who became a second mother to me. I was introduced to her studio by a friend, and I came in with absolutely nothing. No proper dance clothes, no experience, no money — just passion and a desire to express myself. But Joyce saw something in me. She saw that hunger, that potential, and she took a chance on me.

Joyce welcomed me into her studio Dancescape By Joyce without asking for a single cent. She believed in me enough to cover my tuition, pay for my competition fees, and train me as if I were her own. She didn’t just teach me how to dance — she gave me a place to belong, a space to grow, and a vision for what my life could be. When my mom was working long hours and I needed stability, Joyce and her parents, Minga and Papa, stepped in. They opened their home to me, and I lived with them throughout junior high and high school. It was more than a roof over my head — it was a family. They gave me structure, support, and a kind of love that I never expected but will always carry with me.

Thanks to their guidance, I was able to attend competitions, receive scholarships to college, and be exposed to opportunities that once felt completely out of reach. Joyce helped raise me into the man I am today. She didn’t just teach me how to dance — she taught me how to believe in myself, how to lead with heart, and how to show up with integrity in everything I do.

My resilience is a reflection of every person who poured into me when they didn’t have to. It’s the result of being loved through hardship, seen in moments of uncertainty, and supported even when I had nothing to give in return. It’s rooted in the sacrifices of my mother, the generosity of Joyce and her family, and the belief that no matter where you come from, you are capable of greatness when someone gives you a chance.

Every step I take now — on stage, in life, or in business — is fueled by their love and their sacrifices. They are my “why.” And because of them, I carry a resilience that can’t be shaken.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a professional dancer, choreographer, and entrepreneur — and everything I create is deeply rooted in movement, storytelling, and authenticity. Dance has always been more than just steps for me — it’s been my voice, my escape, my power. Coming from a background where I didn’t have much but passion, I know what it means to fight for a place to belong. That’s why everything I do now — especially through my brand — is about creating space for people to feel seen, celebrated, and fully themselves.

My brand, Kiengdom, is inspired by my journey as a dancer. It’s built on the idea that movement and comfort should go hand in hand — not just physically, but emotionally too. I want people to feel good in their skin, to move freely without restriction, and to embrace the things that make them different. We live in a world that often tries to make us fit into boxes — my goal is to break that mold and offer something that feels inclusive, empowering, and unapologetically bold.

What excites me most is watching people light up when they wear something that makes them feel like the best version of themselves. That’s what Kiengdom is all about — creating clothing that moves with you, supports your individuality, and reminds you that your differences are your superpower.

We’ve got some really exciting things coming up — from new drops that blend high-performance comfort with streetwear influence, to community-centered events that bring dancers, creatives, and dreamers together. My hope is that whether you’re in the studio, on stage, or just walking through life, you feel powerful, comfortable, and seen in what we create.

At the end of the day, it’s more than a brand — it’s a lifestyle.

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?

When I reflect on my journey, the three qualities and areas of knowledge that truly shaped who I am today are:

The drive to learn everything I needed to build something of my own,
The ability to lead with compassion, clarity, and purpose, and
The resilience to keep going when nothing was guaranteed.
I didn’t come from wealth, connections, or access. I came from pure passion. And because of that, I knew I had to be my own everything — my own marketing team, web designer, customer service rep, creative director, and operations manager. I had to learn how to code a website, fulfill orders, send emails, handle returns, and manage the moving parts that come with running a business. It wasn’t easy — but it taught me that knowledge is power. And once you realize that no skill is beneath you, and no challenge is too big to figure out, you start becoming unstoppable.

That mindset has carried into how I lead. Whether it’s in a rehearsal space, in the studio, or with my brand, I believe that being a leader doesn’t mean being the loudest in the room — it means being the one who uplifts everyone around you. To lead is to see people, to listen to them, and to inspire through action, not just words. I’ve been led by example my whole life — by my mother, by mentors like Joyce Beck, and by the quiet strength of people who gave me chances when I had nothing but dreams. So now, when I lead, I try to do it in a way that reflects the love and faith they poured into me. That’s what leadership should be — not ego, but service.

The third quality that shaped me is resilience — the quiet, relentless kind. The kind that keeps you going even when the lights are off, the orders are slow, the creative energy is low, and you’re questioning everything. There were so many moments when I could’ve given up — when it felt like too much, or like no one saw the vision but me. But I held onto it anyway. Because I knew deep down: I wasn’t just building a brand. I was building a future. For myself, for the younger me who didn’t feel like he belonged, and for every person who’s ever felt like they had to dim their light just to fit in.

To anyone who’s just getting started: be a sponge. Learn everything. Learn the things you’re passionate about, and especially the things that scare you. If you don’t know how to do something, find a way to learn — ask questions, research, make mistakes. Your willingness to grow will separate you from the rest.

Also, be patient. We live in a world of instant gratification, but real dreams take time. You’re not behind. You’re just building something that’s meant to last. Brick by brick. Step by step.

Trust your gut. You know more than you think. You’re going to face doubt — from others, and even more from yourself. But you have to listen to that voice that says, “Keep going.” It will never lead you wrong.

And when the success comes — because it will — don’t forget the people who showed up for you when you had nothing. The ones who believed in you before the world did. Share your light. Lift others up the way others lifted you. Because in the end, no amount of achievement matters if you forget the heart behind it.

This journey has taught me that resilience isn’t something you’re born with — it’s something you earn, one challenge at a time. And that greatness is built not just on talent, but on heart, humility, and a whole lot of hustle.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

One of the biggest challenges I’m facing right now is believing in myself fully — every day, in every step. Not just when things are going well, but in those quiet, overwhelming moments where doubt creeps in and whispers that maybe I’m not doing enough, or not moving fast enough. That inner voice that questions whether I’m really capable of building something this big, this meaningful — especially when I’m doing so much of it on my own.

Being an entrepreneur, a dancer, and a creator is beautiful — but it’s also incredibly lonely at times. You wear so many hats, make so many decisions, and carry so many dreams that only you can truly see. There’s no roadmap when you’re building something from scratch. You’re constantly navigating uncertainty, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison or pressure. Being your own biggest motivator is powerful, but it’s also exhausting. You don’t always have someone telling you, “You’re doing great,” or “Keep going.” Sometimes, it’s just you — late at night, tired, questioning everything, but still choosing to believe that this vision is worth fighting for.

What I’ve come to realize is that self-belief isn’t just a feeling — it’s a practice. It’s a choice I have to make every day: to keep going, to trust myself, and to remember why I started. And what makes that journey a little more bearable — and honestly, so much more beautiful — is having people in my life who remind me of who I am when I forget.

I have to give the biggest shoutout to my boyfriend, Isaac. He has been my anchor in moments when I felt like I was drifting. There have been days when I’ve wanted to give up — when the pressure, the fear, and the weight of it all felt like too much. But Isaac… he sees me. He sees the dream even when I can’t. He believes in me so deeply and so unconditionally, and there’s something so healing about having someone love you through your doubts. He reminds me not just of what I’m capable of, but of who I am — at my core.

He’s not just a supporter — he’s a driving force behind everything I’m building. When I succeed, it’s not just my victory — it’s ours. Because he’s been there behind the scenes, cheering me on, helping me push through the tears, the late nights, the breakdowns, and the breakthroughs. Isaac reminds me that I’m not alone — and in a journey that often feels so isolating, that kind of love is everything.

So yes, self-belief is still a challenge I face, but I’ve learned that I don’t have to carry it alone. I’ve learned to hold space for both the doubt and the determination. To be kind to myself. To celebrate the small wins. To trust the timing. And most of all, to keep showing up — because even on the hardest days, the dream is still worth it.

And when I do finally reach the goals I’ve set for myself — when I see everything I’ve envisioned come to life — I know it’ll feel even more meaningful, because I’ll know just how hard I fought for it. How deeply I believed in something no one else could see yet. And how lucky I was to have someone like Isaac reminding me, every step of the way, that I was never walking alone.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kieng.vannak/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieng-vannak-5a458a247/
• Youtube: https://myaccount.google.com/u/0/?utm_source=YouTubeWeb&tab=rk&utm_medium=act&gar=WzgwLCIyMzMzODciXQ&tab=rk&hl=en

Image Credits

Photographer is John Nguyen