610: Bien Tran on Compassion as the Most Valuable Currency

Bien Tran attended Duke School of Law and started his career at Fulbright & Jaworski LLP as a litigation lawyer and operated his own law office prior to joining Bush & Ramirez L.L.C.

In 2012 Bien decided to take a stab at the world of hospitality with Hughes Hangar, a bar and event space. Hughes Hangar was followed by The De Gaulle, and Bien's most recent project Chapman and Kirby.

In addition, Bien has been active in the political landscape for over a decade. Bien has also been active in the business community with the belief that we've all been given great opportunity, and we have an obligation to pay it forward by creating opportunity for the next generation.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

"I don't have to do anything today except be grateful for what I have." It puts everything else into perspective.

In this episode with Bien Tran, we discuss:

• • Putting your responsibilities into perspective
  • Bien's escape from Vietnam at the close of the war
  • Learning to acclimate to a new country/culture
  • Gratitude
  • Being mindful that there are always people worse-off than you are
  • Planning your life from a very early age
  • Envisioning what your end goal is and planning/taking the proper steps to achieve that
  • Bien's strong desire to help people and enact change
  • Balancing law and hospitality
  • Investing in a restaurant/restaurateur
  • Legal documents shouldn't be your only safety net; get involved with trustworthy, decent people
  • Money is only a small portion of what you're looking for when finding a business partner
  • The importance of creating a unique atmosphere
  • Opening a corporate event space
  • Being happy/avoiding stress
  • Recognize what is important and give back

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Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Being creative
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Inability to disconnect, need more time to recharge the batteries
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • Give them a tour of the space and ask what they would change about it
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • "Early on I didn't thank the staff enough after a stressful shift." Constantly remind yourself to show gratitude to your staff
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Make the guests feel comfortable
6. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • Bill and Melinda Gates annual letter
   • GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
7. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
   • Lack of creativity, being too similar to every other restaurant
8. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls and how has it influenced operations?
   • video cameras
9. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
   • The most important currency in life is compassion
   • Love is a one way street; love people for who they are not for whether they love you back
   • Stop worrying so much about yourself; take care of yourself but be less ego-centric

Contact info:

Chapman and Kirby website

Facebook: @ChapmanAndKirby

Twitter: @chapmanandkirby

Instagram: @chapmanandkirby

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

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Huge thanks to Bien Tran for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

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