When to Kill Your Passion Project - Julie Hession

In Chapter 16 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "How Do You Evaluate When to Continue a Project and When to Kill It?"  She notes the challenge of abandoning a passion project.  She learns from her husband and his corporate project pursuits and the number that fall through.  Hession learns to evaluate short and long term project benefits as she grows as an entrepreneur.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

Why to Compete in Food Cookoff Contests - Julie Hession

In Chapter 17 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "What Motivates You to Enter Food Competitions and How are You Getting Better at Them?"  Hession notes her super competitive nature and love of challenges.  She learns what type of competitions are best suited to her interests and then learns to embrace the experiences, meet new friends, and enjoy rewards when she wins.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

How Recipe Competitions Build Creative Confidence - Julie Hession

In Chapter 18 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "How Has Winning Food Competitions Given You the Confidence to Dream Bigger?"  Hession shares how competing in, and progressively winning, recipe and cooking competitions taps into her competitive spirit.  The process boosts her self-confidence and brings out her passion for marketing.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

How to Start a Gourmet Food Business - Julie Hession

In Chapter 19 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "How Has Starting a Granola Company Built Upon Your Previous Food Experience?"  As a retail store owner, Hession learns how the "other side" of food makers work by attending industry conventions.  She researches different approaches and applies lessons learned when she launches her own product line.  Once established, she then encounters challenges working with large gourmet food and grocery stores and competing in a cutthroat market.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

How to Use Customer Feedback to Improve Product - Julie Hession

In Chapter 20 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "What Tools and Processes Do You Find Most Useful in Measuring Business Performance?"  Hession relies on customer feedback to evolve her product marketing.  By doing in-store sampling demos of her granola, she gathers feedback on product positioning and quality.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

How Female Entrepreneur Learns to Scale Food Business - Julie Hession

In Chapter 21 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "What Have Been Your Learning Milestones Starting and Growing a Food Manufacturing Business?"  Hession shares the challenges she has faced letting go of responsibility and embracing support.  As additional products emerge and her core granola business blossoms, she learns to maximize the time she spends in each area.  Finally, she learns to manage expectations within a budget and make a profitable, high quality product.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

What Gets Easier and What Gets Harder - Kyung Yoon

In Chapter 1 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "What is Getting Easier and What is Getting Harder in Your Life?  In her non-profit leadership role, she finds her work gets easier as her organization brand becomes stronger and better known.  Yoon finds drawing boundaries for non-profit and community initiatives progressively more challenging as she identifies more deserving potential grantees yet remains constrained by fundraising limitations. 

Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

Transcription: 

Erik Michielsen:  What's getting easier and what's getting harder in your life?

Kyung B. Yoon:  I think professionally, being the executive director of a nonprofit organization, community foundation that was essentially a start up.  This is our ninth year.  And, I can see that it is getting easier as the Korean American Community Foundation is becoming known.  We are definitely establishing a brand.  And, especially in the Korean American and Asian American communities, particularly around the New York area, people know what we are about.  And so, I think it's easier to talk about our vision, our mission.  It's never easy to raise funds but it certainly is very different from the early days when I would say, KACF and they'd say, "KFC?  Are you selling chicken?" 

As far as what's getting harder, I think as we, as a community foundation, we are funders in the community, so there's the grant making aspect, working with our grantee partners who are nonprofit organizations that are addressing some of the most pressing needs in the community, really working with some of the most vulnerable populations.  And so, I think it's harder to draw boundaries around what it is.  Because of course, we want to help everyone and yet our resources are limited and we need to stay focused on what is the mission of KACF.  For me personally, I think it's just hard because I'd like to go out to every single one of the benefit dinner galas of our grantee partners, also being in the community.  Also, as a fundraiser in the community, we know we need to constantly be doing work to raise awareness about KACF.  And so, I find that it's kind of never ending.  And, that's challenging but it's also work that is extremely near and dear to my heart and very meaningful.  So, I feel very blessed to be able to do it.

Finding Personal Best by Speaking From the Heart - Kyung Yoon

In Chapter 2 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "When Are You at Your Best?"  Yoon finds her personal and professional best when speaking from the heart.  In her experiences across the Korean and Korean American communities, she learns to be a philanthropic changemaker and bridge seemingly disparate cultural issues from her youth.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

When to Stop Learning and Start Doing - Kyung Yoon

In Chapter 3 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "What is Your Comfort Zone and What Do You Do to Break Free of Living in It?  Yoon finds her comfort zone is learning something new, as evidenced in her immersion across varied careers in economic analysis, journalism, and, now, philanthropy.  Excited by learning, Yoon makes it a priority to then apply that learning in her career.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

What Marriage Teaches About Teamwork - Kyung Yoon

In Chapter 4 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "What Has Marriage Taught You About Teamwork?"  Yoon shares how she learned to appreciate what teamwork in marriage is all about once she had children.  As children entered the equation, she learned to admire her husband for his presence and contribution to the family.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

Parenting Advice on Motivating High School Kids - Kyung B. Yoon

In Chapter 5 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "How Do You Measure Success in What You Do as a Parent?" Yoon contrasts her approach to what has become known as the "Tiger Mom" approach.  With her two sons, Yoon makes it a point to embrace their individuality and tailor supportive parenting approaches to motivate each of the boys.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

Transcription:

Erik Michielsen:  How do you measure success in what you do as a parent?

Kyung Yoon:  I know there was a lot of brouhaha around tiger moms and as being an Asian mom and actually having a son who just started college this year and having gone through that excruciating process, acceptance and so on.  And, he's, you know, he's in a very happy place.  He's doing great.  And then I have a younger son who is a high schooler.  And, I think, when I look at both of my boys and they are really very similar in some ways but also very, very different, that it's not about one size fits all.  And, I guess, it's not about something you can read in a book and you wish that there was somebody who could tell you all the answers.  But, I think, a strategy that would be very motivating to one child could be crushing to another child. 

And so, I think, what I've learned about how to be a successful parent, and I'm not saying that I'm there at all, but is that, when I see my child, I see that beyond everything else, he has a beautiful, sort of, little fire going on inside him.  And to me, I think that my job as a mother is to keep that fire lit and just to fan it.  And, if it means that he's so passionate about the bongo drums then I'm gonna fan that, you know, because he's really, like, he loves it and it gives him confidence and meaning and that's great. 

And so, I feel like it's not my job to say that's not important, that you should be doing this.  Of course, there are things that they have to do.  They have to, you know, stay, you know, on top of their school work and they have to do, there are things that we have to do, but it's not a hard and rigid rule in my book.

Why Mutual Respect Matters in a Marriage - Kyung Yoon

In Chapter 6 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "Why is Mutual Respect Important in a Marriage?"  Yoon notes how she met her husband, an established lawyer, while she was going through a career change.  Changing careers into broadcast journalism, Yoon finds support in her partner through the process, from internships to on-air reporting, and learns a valuable lesson to respect and support a partner's career choices.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

How Stay at Home Mom Builds Parent Network - Kyung Yoon

In Chapter 7 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "As a Parent, Where Has Your Network Been Most Helpful?"  As a young parent, Yoon chooses to leave a demanding job to spend more time at home.  Fearful of losing her identity, she finds common ground with other professional women transitioning into full-time parenting roles.  Through the relationships, the mothers learn to support one another, including helping each other re-enter the workforce.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

Networking Advice for Women Professionals - Kyung Yoon

In Chapter 8 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "How Do You Use Your Network to Get Help Making Career and Life Decisions?"  Yoon notes how she focuses more and more on connecting young female professionals.  Over her career, she learns to make networking a priority.  She shares her learning experience and offers advice to young women wanting to improve networking skills.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

How Commitments Create Leadership Culture - Kyung Yoon

In Chapter 9 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "Why is It Not Only Important to Participate in a Network But Also to Contribute?"  In her work as a non-profit executive, Yoon finds leadership to be the greatest constraint to an organization's success.  Beyond the ideas, mission, and intentions, it is necessary for individuals to emerge and drive the mission forward.  Yoon notes how taking responsibility and making a contribution is fundamental to move beyond simply forming a group of participants.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

What Makes a Professional Women's Network Valuable - Kyung Yoon

In Chapter 10 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "What Makes a Professional Women's Network Valuable?"  Yoon shares how networks provide women professionals a chance to support one another based on shared experiences, positive and negative.  By helping empower one another in a network, Yoon shares how participants are then able to more powerfully pursue careers.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

How Diversity Shapes Leadership Development - Kyung Yoon

In Chapter 11 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "What Role Has Diversity Played in Shaping Your Leadership Style?"  Yoon notes how growing up as an Asian American, she was very mindful that she may be perceived differently than how she saw herself.  She made it a priority not to be seen as submissive, quiet, and timid, traits typical of Asian women stereotypes. She pushes herself to be more outgoing and outspoken in her work as a Fox News television reporter, incrementally honing leadership skills useful in diverse communities.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.

How to Be a More Effective Community Leader - Kyung Yoon

In Chapter 12 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, non-profit executive Kyung Yoon answers "What Does It Mean to Be a Leader in What You Do?"  Through experience, Yoon learns to lead by working with stakeholders and bringing different people together by being a good listener, taking charge, and driving decisions in the context of an organization.  She adds the importance of being accountable and responsive on a consistent basis.  Kyung Yoon is the executive director of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) in New York City.  An award-winning journalist and documentary film producer, Yoon earned an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History and Political Science at Wellesley College.