the Heartbeat

How to create a life & business you love — for women of color.

Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

Leaving for Spain in 7 days...

In the past week, Judy has celebrated multiple successes: signing $35K in new clients, reaching 108 backers on her Kickstarter, publishing 123 podcast episodes, and having a TikTok video go viral. Amid these accomplishments, she reflects on the number two—symbolizing her relationship with her daughter and the tender realization of wanting a family. Through personal growth, grief, and bravery, Judy acknowledges the importance of daring to want and ask for what matters most. As she strengthens herself physically and emotionally, she's beginning to believe her deepest dreams—both professional and personal—are possible.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

Do you know your NAICS code?

In this post, Judy reflects on being labeled "too much" from a young age and how societal expectations, particularly from her mother and peers, shaped her self-perception. Over time, these labels made her doubt her authentic self, creating a narrative that held her back. Now, Judy emphasizes the importance of understanding the stories we tell ourselves, others, and the world. She encourages readers to assess their mindset, relationships, and personal brand to ensure they align with their true selves. Judy also promotes her upcoming podcast episode featuring emotional intelligence expert Nicole F. Smith, who champions the idea of being unapologetically yourself.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

TODAY is the day!

In a heartfelt plea for support, Judy announces the launch of their Kickstarter campaign for How to Disappoint Your Parents in 10 Shameless Steps: A Modern Asian-American Guide. As the black sheep of their family, this book has been a long-time dream, and they emphasize the importance of community backing in the initial 24 hours to enhance its visibility. Despite feelings of vulnerability and fear of rejection, the author shares their commitment to this project and hopes their journey inspires others to pursue their own aspirations. They are actively reaching out to friends and community members to rally support and emphasize their investment in the project.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

Got my first comment from a hater...

In this blog post, Judy shares her emotional journey after launching her passion project, How to Disappoint Your Parents in 10 Shameless Steps: A Modern Asian-American Guide, and receiving a hurtful message from an online hater. Encouraged by a former client, Judy reframed the negativity as a sign of being on the right path. She celebrates the early success of her Kickstarter campaign, which reached its first goal within 24 hours and became a "Project We Love." Now, with 80 backers and 57 days remaining, Judy outlines her ambitious stretch goals, emphasizing the importance of community support and rallying for diversity and inclusion. She closes with encouragement for others pursuing unconventional paths, reminding them to stay true to themselves.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

I haven't eaten in 36 hours.

Judy shares the emotional moment of hearing their daughter call her stepmom "Mom" during a FaceTime call, prompting feelings of grief and reflection. They discuss the varied responses from their online community and emphasize the importance of focusing on their child's well-being and the love she receives. The post highlights the value of open communication with their ex-husband and navigating complex family dynamics with understanding and grace.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

This is the biggest thing I've ever done.

Judy shares an emotional moment as her daughter reads lines from her childhood journals, marking the culmination of her journey to publish a book. After struggling with traditional, self, and hybrid publishing, Judy realized that none of those paths felt right. Her purpose was to make an impact, help others through tough times, and give a voice to those who feel like outcasts. This led to the creation of her Kickstarter campaign, not just for herself but for everyone who has ever felt silenced or pressured to conform. She invites followers to support her project and share it with others.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

After a crappy night of sleep... this.

Judy reflects on a restless night of anxiety and overthinking, exploring how we often give too much power to our thoughts. She reminds readers that feeling off is natural and that alignment with purpose brings clarity. Judy shares how her team encouraged her to build her personal brand, which led to a transformative moment of self-realization. She highlights recent achievements, including being selected for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Cohort and launching her Kickstarter. Judy encourages readers to embrace life's lulls and seek support when needed.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

Gettin' ready for an open water ocean swim today...

Judy shares a heartwarming story about her daughter, Wilder, hosting a pop-up shop to sell her own canvas bags, showcasing her budding entrepreneurial spirit. Wilder's creativity in sales and marketing led to a successful day, sparking discussions about expanding her business online and even hiring help. Judy reflects on the challenges of parenting a 9-year-old, likening it to the ups and downs of running a business. She emphasizes the importance of commitment, meaningful connections, and having support through life's uncertainties, drawing parallels between business growth and personal growth.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

Will you be our next case study?

Judy recently led a personal branding workshop for The Authentic Asian community, receiving great feedback from 20+ women. She emphasizes that building a personal brand helps you stand out, increase influence, and build credibility by being authentic. Judy invites readers to her free upcoming personal branding workshop and also offers an opportunity to become a case study client for her company's rebrand. Ideal clients are those looking to rebrand or launch a service, seeking marketing strategy, design, and content support with a 3-6 month turnaround. She encourages those interested to book a call and potentially receive a bonus consulting package.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

What to do when the other shoe drops.

Judy shares a personal story about dealing with her landlord's frustration over a rent check mishap, which brought up feelings of fear and control rooted in her childhood. Despite doing everything to fix the situation, she realized on a hike that she can’t control external circumstances or people. Instead of striving for perfection, she’s embracing the unpredictability of life, choosing to focus on unexpected blessings. She also emphasizes the importance of mindset in shaping experiences and invites women entrepreneurs of color to a workshop on Visionary Visibility.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

What four days in Montana's wilderness taught me.

I celebrated my 46th birthday in Glacier National Park, embarking on an adventurous trip that included a 21-hour car ride, three hikes, and unexpected hitchhiking experiences. I received hiking poles as a gift, which helped with my knees and ankles, and even got a speeding ticket in Montana. Throughout the journey, I experienced moments of awe in nature, shifted my perspective on old stories, and found a sense of calm. As I reflect on this milestone, I'm excited about the truths I'm ready to embrace.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

"I don't know if I want to spent that much money on you."

I'm passionate about supporting women entrepreneurs in achieving their goals. This week, I address those hesitant to commit or make decisions, reflecting on my own indirect communication style that can hinder service. We've faced resistance from potential clients due to budget and time concerns, often rooted in deeper fears. I emphasize the importance of making quick decisions—whether "yes" or "no"—to avoid stagnation and encourage you to ask key questions to overcome internal blocks. Remember, your commitment to your goals is what truly matters.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

Love has another name. (And it powers my life and business.)

Greetings from Mexico! I'm on a surf trip with a large group, but I'm also interviewing junior copywriters to expand our team. During one interview, a candidate quoted Zen Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, emphasizing that understanding someone's suffering is the best gift you can give, and that understanding is the essence of love. This resonated with me, reflecting my commitment to authentically understand our clients and their journeys. Our focus on creating human-powered content fosters deep connections with our clients, leading to loyal advocates. If you haven't worked with us yet, check out our free resource on budgeting for agency services to ensure you maximize your investment. Off to catch some waves!

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

True bliss looks like this.

This year’s blue whale watching season in San Diego has been extraordinary, prompting me to take my daughter on a boat tour after seeing a captivating video from Gone Whale Watching. This experience highlighted the effectiveness of social media marketing, as I quickly booked tickets for my family. However, the true revelation came during the trip when I witnessed my daughter embrace the moment, closing her eyes to soak in the beauty of the sea and expressing her happiness to me. This powerful affirmation of my purpose as a business owner reminded me why I work hard and prioritize these special moments. As summer plans unfold, I encourage you to reflect on your own "why" and seek out joy in everyday life.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

Happening now! A new kind of challenge

As a woman founder from a marginalized community, finding your voice can often feel unsafe due to personal experiences and intergenerational trauma. Speaking up and advocating for oneself can be daunting. To support women entrepreneurs in this journey, I’m offering a free resource designed to help uncover the sources of fear and reveal that transformative moment of truth. This resource aims to help clear obstacles to success, empowering women to navigate their entrepreneurial paths with confidence

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

A magical exercise to clear your fear

As a woman founder from a marginalized community, finding your voice can often feel unsafe due to personal experiences and intergenerational trauma. Speaking up and advocating for oneself can be daunting. To support women entrepreneurs in this journey, I’m offering a free resource designed to help uncover the sources of fear and reveal that transformative moment of truth. This resource aims to help clear obstacles to success, empowering women to navigate their entrepreneurial paths with confidence

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

Failure is not an option — here's why it's time to recommit

In a recent Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship pitch event, we were tasked with presenting a 3-minute video and slide deck to advisors from the Foundation's powerful network. While watching my fellow Fellows' presentations, I felt self-doubt creep in, but with the guidance of my Branding and Operations Manager, I reflected on the fear I was experiencing. In my breakout room, I had the opportunity to seek advice from three inspiring founders, including Gay Gaddis of T3, Whitney White of Equity Commons, and TEDx speaker Domonique Townsend. Their shared experiences of overcoming hardship and embracing resilience reminded me—and all of us—that failure is not an option.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

Case Study: Bakehouse Bread Company

While Bakehouse Bread Company had achieved considerable success, with an impressive annual revenue of $15 million, they recognized the need to make their brand presence just as fresh as their bread. This was a necessity as they aimed to attract a new generation of shoppers. The company faced three key challenges in achieving this goal:

  1. Crafting a Cohesive Brand Story

  2. Refreshing their Visual Identity

  3. Building a Website for the World of 2024 (and Beyond)

Founders, John and Nancy, knew that if they could successfully address these challenges, the company would become more desirable to potential clients and partners, opening doors for the future.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

Case Study: Sarah Crawford, PhD, LPC

Sarah's goal was clear: evolve her business from a traditional private practice to a thriving online coaching platform. However, she encountered several hurdles:

  1. Shifting Business Model

  2. Building an Online Presence

  3. Website Design and Development

Sarah turned to Judy Tsuei and her team at Wild Hearted Words for help. Judy’s expertise in branding, strategy, and digital presence was exactly what Sarah needed to make this transition smoothly.

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Judy Tsuei Judy Tsuei

Case Study: Verterra/ETH3NA Creative

The Challenge

Verterra Dinnerware faced the challenge of low online visibility. Their website wasn't attracting enough organic traffic.

The company needed to enhance its content marketing efforts to educate consumers about the benefits of its products and improve its search engine rankings.

The challenge was to create compelling and SEO-optimized content that would resonate with the target audience, drive traffic to the website, and establish Verterra as a leader in the sustainable dinnerware market.

The Solution

Amanda Stuckey (ETH3NA CREATIVE), representing Verterra Dinnerware, brought Judy and Wild Hearted Words on board to tackle this challenge. Judy's expertise in SEO and content marketing made her an ideal partner for the project.

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