Founder Spotlight: Marina Tran-Vu (HYYH Trading - EQUO International)
Meet Marina Tran-Vu
Company:
HYYH Trading - EQUO International
Marina and her team create 100% plastic free everyday items to replace single use plastics (starting with a line of straws made from coconut, grass, sugarcane and rice). EQUO products don't ask you to learn or change your actions or behavior - they are easy, no brainer switches so simple, you may not even notice them - even though Mother Earth does.
When did you launch your business?
2020
Startup Stage:
Bootstrapped. Now raising our Seed Round.
Locations:
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
What led you to where you are today?
I started the company because I want to build a brighter, more sustainable future for my nephew and to create jobs in my parents' home country of Vietnam. I want to elevate the talent and innovation from Vietnam to a world stage, while also changing the planet through sustainable solutions. I want to change the way sustainable brands approach consumers, through a welcoming message of “every little action helps”. It’s a stark contrast to the all-or-nothing dogma that often repels consumers who are just starting or looking to switch to a greener lifestyle.
What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?
How no matter how much you plan, things will NEVER go as expected. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy journey or a straight path, but if you are okay with not always making the right choice, learning from it and moving on, you will get through all the trials and obstacles.
What is the most difficult decision you've had to make regarding your business so far?
Whether to start off slowly building the business or to dive in and go full speed ahead. It was a choice that was counterintuitive to what most businesses do. Whether it was the right or wrong decision, only time will tell!
What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with?
Help them understand how to appeal to a wider audience based on visuals, a welcoming message and positive reinforcement and a bit of humor. Also, can help answer the questions of someone whose just starting their sustainable journey!
How can the VEGPRENEUR community help you?
Would love help driving the awareness of EQUO as an alternative to single-use plastics and paper. The mission is to deliver easy, accessible, available solutions to people without a compromise in lifestyle or behavior.
Fun fact about you:
I can lick my elbow.
Anything else you would like to share?
Just like most people, I'm still learning about how to be more sustainable and do better for the planet. So I hope to be able to learn more and advance my knowledge and welcome any book and documentary recommendations!
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