Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ray Hsu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Ray, 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 drive comes from an innate curiosity and ability to adapt. I constantly ask “why” and dig beneath the surface of challenges – it’s this mindset that helps me tackle obstacles creatively. Rather than seeing roadblocks as setbacks, I treat them as chances to evolve and innovate. Leading major exhibitions and creative projects has taught me that plans rarely unfold perfectly, but staying agile and solution-focused keeps things moving forward. Whether I’m troubleshooting last-minute exhibition hurdles or reshaping creative concepts to better resonate with audiences, I thrive on embracing change and discovering new approaches. My resilience isn’t just about bouncing back – it’s about staying curious and finding fresh possibilities in every challenge.
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?
I’m Ray Hsu, and I bring brand stories to life through strategic planning and creative direction. My work spans brand strategy, event marketing, and digital content, but at its heart, it’s about creating meaningful connections and unique experiences. I’ve built my career on merging art and culture with marketing to craft experiences that truly resonate with people.
My approach flips traditional brand marketing on its head by weaving in art and culture to create experiences that stick with people. Take my exhibition and pop-up work – instead of just displaying products, I craft interactive moments that let people truly connect with a brand’s story.
The Bulgari Hotel Beijing project “Nine-Nine Returns to One” perfectly captures this philosophy. While we started by exploring Bulgari’s roots as a silversmith, we quickly realized there was a deeper story to tell about craftsmanship and cultural heritage. We dove into Chinese handicraft traditions, bringing them together with stories of 108 artisans from across China. The result? A rich narrative that honored both Bulgari’s legacy and China’s artistic heritage.This kind of authentic storytelling goes way beyond traditional marketing.
Recently, I’ve been working on building a community for Renavida, a New York City-based organization dedicated to kidney health. They connect donors with recipients and help patients embrace healthier lifestyles. We started by developing gentle, kidney-friendly workout routines, then expanded into nutrition guidance and overall wellness education. The whole project embodies their mission of rebirth – helping people transform their lives through better health habits.
When you give people something genuine to connect with – whether it’s through art, culture, or shared values – they remember your brand for the experience, not just the products. That’s what I’m all about: creating moments that resonate on a human level and leave a lasting impression.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three key qualities have shaped who I am today:
1. Curiosity – I’m constantly asking “why” and digging deeper. This drive to explore beneath the surface has led me to unique insights and creative solutions. Whether I’m curating an exhibition or crafting a marketing strategy, my curiosity pushes me to find fresh angles and create experiences that matter.
2. Adaptability – The creative world throws new challenges at you daily – from tight deadlines to shifting client needs. Being able to pivot quickly and find new solutions has been key to my success. This mindset extends beyond work – by 30, I’d lived in three of the world’s biggest cities: born in Taipei, built my career in Beijing, and now call New York home. Each move came with its own challenges, but they’ve all shaped my ability to adapt and thrive in new environments.
3. Storytelling – Whether I’m working with visual art, developing a brand, or creating communication strategies, everything comes back to storytelling. It’s the thread that connects people to ideas and makes projects resonate.
For those just starting out, here’s what I’ve learned: Stay curious, embrace change, and work on your storytelling. These aren’t just nice-to-have skills – they’re what will set you apart, help you tackle challenges, and create work that truly connects with people.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
Yes, I’ve recently started building a company in New York, which has been both exciting and challenging. Establishing a business in a new market comes with a learning curve—navigating legal requirements, building a network from scratch, and understanding the local business culture.
One of the biggest challenges is balancing creativity with the practical aspects of running a business. As someone with a background in storytelling, branding, and creative strategy, I’m passionate about crafting meaningful experiences, but now I also need to focus on operations, partnerships, and long-term sustainability.
Despite the challenges, I see this as an opportunity to grow and expand my impact. It’s a process of learning, adapting, and staying resilient, and I’m excited to see how this journey unfolds.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rayhsu.cargo.site/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-hsu-b1a86b103
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