Enterprenuer
Marina Tran-Vu is the founder of EQUO. EQUO provides 100% sustainable solutions for single-use plastics.
Marina spent over ten years working in marketing and brand management for companies such as Unilever and Bacardi.
EQUO was recently awarded the SME100 Fast-Moving Companies Award.
It was also the first Vietnamese-based company to be admitted to Techstars.
Marina was also named one of Flik’s 21 Women Entrepreneurs To Watch in 2021.
What is the story of EQUO?
My journey began when I moved to Vietnam to assist my parents.
This was a massive change from my life in Canada, where I was born and raised.
Vietnam is a country that exports the most coffee worldwide, so I arrived in Vietnam with no friends.
This is where I found the green straw in my coffee.
It was a surprise, a delight, and, more importantly, a curiosity that surprised me.
My interest led me to investigate the abundance of natural resources in Vietnam.
That opened my eyes to the world of sustainable options that I didn’t know existed.
It was easy from there to apply my brand and product innovation background and launch a Kickstarter campaign to test the market for sustainable drinking straws.
That was the fuel that powered the EQUO jet.
How do you stay productive?
Because I work in both the US and Canada time zones, I start my day with a phone call.
After that, I spend an hour checking my emails before jumping into meetings.
I typically return to meetings late at night after taking breaks for work and emails.
I schedule all meetings on a specific day or in chunks to be productive.
This allows me to work uninterrupted, even if I don’t have the time.
How do you bring ideas to life?
An idea is nothing without execution. It is about understanding your vision and planning the steps to bring it to life.
Therefore, it is important to outline how you turn your idea into reality.
What’s your favorite trend?
The focus on beautiful packaging and presentation is a trend that excites me.
Exquisite packaging is like seamless communication.
It is easier to understand the words if you can deliver something clearly and concisely.
What habits make you productive?
Archiving all my emails is a must. It will make it easier to check your email every day and take action.
This helps you prioritize. Clean inboxes are the best thing in the world.
What’s your advice for the Noob?
Believe in yourself. You can’t believe in yourself if you don’t.
That is the first step to being a successful entrepreneur.
You can think you can, even if everyone else says you cannot.
What is one thing we can all agree on?
One thing I believe is true about sustainability is that people need more than ‘being better for our environment’ to convince them to buy green products.
Reusable bags are not better for the environment. It is the trendy designs that have driven their popularity.
What do you recommend as an entrepreneur?
I read motivational quotes. Although it sounds strange, entrepreneurs are constantly being advised in all directions.
Sometimes it helps to look at the stories of others who have gone through the same thing. There is always more work.
What’s your rich strategy?
You are being visible everywhere – Linkedin. Facebook. Instagram. Clubhouse.
You tell anyone who will listen and show everyone who sees it on social media or the internet.
There are many brands out there. Selling your product starts with getting people to believe it exists.
You can make them more curious about your product the more you do it.
Your success is also dependent on your ability to tell your story.
Telling your story can make a difference in setting yourself apart.
How do you overcome Failure?
Trusting resumes was one of my most significant failures. My biggest mistake was trusting resumes.
This is especially true in unstructured environments like startups or when you are required to work remotely during pandemics.
I was most impressed by those who were less skilled but were willing to work hard; we’re eager to learn quickly and could adapt quickly.
My worst hires were those with impressive credentials but couldn’t handle startups’ daily tasks and high demands.
I now consider motivation and self-drive critical indicators of future performance.
Can you share a business idea?
I’d love to make an app that matches you with people who have different wardrobes/styles and allows you to coordinate a closet swap.
It’s sustainable, enabling you to quickly update your wardrobe without buying new clothes.
What’s your recent best buy?
This all-in-one power bank, which plugs into the wall, was the best $100 I ever spent.
There’s no need to search for adapters or cables.
You can charge your phone while simultaneously charging your power bank—no need to fidget with tangled wires.
What are your favorite Softwares or Apps?
Calendly. Calendly is so simple; it’s almost unbelievable. Calendly has saved me literally hours in meetings with coordinators.
Which book would you recommend?
Paul Arden’s It’s not how good you are; how great you want to be is one of my favorite books.
He was the former Creative Director of Saatchi and Saatchi at the peak of their advertising power.
This is a simple but powerful read that reinforces the principle of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The most important lesson is that talent will only take you so far.
Ambition and drive are more important than any skill you may have. You have to desire it enough.
What’s your favorite quote?
“Better an oops rather than a what-if” This Earth is only a speck of time. Do not be afraid to be bold and brave.
TL;DR by Marina Tran-Vu
Be confident in yourself. No one will.
An oops better than a what if
Efficiency is the key to productivity
Ambition and drive are more important than talent and skills.
