Mentoring
My journey has not been easy or simple, but I never would have had the chance to be who I am today without the leaders who stood by me, the friends who cared for me, and the awe-inspiring people who taught me. Because of them, I have been able to keep growing, learning, and becoming a better, more open-minded person and for that I will always be grateful. I try to pay it forward by using my knowledge and experience to mentor others on their paths to success. I focus my time and energy on advising and providing support for young people, creatives, and nonprofits, with a particular emphasis on people of marginalized identities.
Priscilla Kim Ong
Priscilla is a First-Generation Cambodian American who graduated with a B.A. in International Studies with a concentration in Sustainable Development and Environmental Justice from the University of San Francisco in 2022. She has since devoted her life to connecting with her Khmer Krom heritage and advocating for the Cambodian Indigenous people. Notably, in April 2022, she served as a speaker at the U.N.’s (7th meeting) Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to advocate for indigenous women.
I first met Priscilla in 2021 at my CODEX Builders event where she was seeking connections with more independent business women. I was drawn to Priscilla’s passion for her cause and willingness to devote her time and energy to living a meaningful life. When she asked if there were any ways she could help build resources for female founders, I immediately brought her on as the CODEX Builders intern and began mentoring her. Together, we created newsletters and content focused on women entrepreneurs, connected with local entrepreneurs, and much more. Since she moved to Cambodia to better immerse herself in the Khmer Krom culture, we keep in touch and I strive to support her and assure her that she is on the right track.
Ryley Gaulocher
Ryley is a San Francisco based ceramist and entrepreneur. I met Ryley while he was doing market research to start a small pottery studio in 2022. Ryley asked me to review his business plan and help him make revisions to his content. I worked with him to better refine the business plan and strategize which content should be more or less heavily emphasized to improve investor engagement as well as showing him how to use Google SEO to effectively market research. I also connected Ryley with local designers and artists to better build his business branding and styling. Working with and advising Ryley, I focus on business development and encouraging him to problem solve using out-of-the-box thinking. We continue to work together to help bring his brilliant ideas to fruition!
Jackie Berry
Jackie is a queer entrepreneur based in Alexandria, LA. He is currently working to build a gay beauty pageant in an effort to bring a safe and inclusive space to the local pageant community. Jackie reached out to me for advice on how to build a tiered sponsorship program for his event and we began working together to turn his idea into a reality! I worked to offer him funding-focused business advice as well as connect him with designers and creators to enhance and beautify his pageant. I continue to work with Jackie while planning for his event is in progress.
Sarah Koh
Sarah Koh is an entrepreneur, world-traveler, and yoga teacher with a focus on intuition and healing. As a yoga teacher, she directs her students in all matters of sexual assault trauma recovery, mental strengthening, combating victim blaming and more. Sarah is now working at the Zen Compound LLC overseeing their wellness division.
I met Sarah in 2020 in a community art project. At the time, she was considering pursuing an entrepreneurial project that would provide wellness guidance for sexual trauma survivors as well as self-defense training to prevent assault. However, at the time, she was at a loss for how to practically implement this idea and start her business. Loving her mission, I helped her to put her business plan down on paper, created a step-by-step workbook outlining how her idea would unfold, and connected her with designers and artists who could assist in her goal. As her mentor, I guided her through early-stage business development and supported her as a community builder. I continue to assist by building her connections and providing support and advice for her goals at her new position.
Kangle Lin
Kangle Lin is an entrepreneur and multi-business founder that builds digital products and tools. In addition to serving as a founder on several projects, Kangle provides consulting services for other technology-oriented companies and works to support other budding entrepreneurs.
I met Kangle early in his career development in a business class at the University of San Francisco. After working together in a group project, Kangle reached out to me to see if I would work with him to support a very passionate student filmmaker in creating a Young Screenwriters Club at the university. While working together on that project, we became fast friends and continued collaborating on projects together. At Kangle’s request, I came on-board in a supportive role for his app, GumDrop AI, playing a major role in the app’s design, development, testing, and marketing. Together, we also founded Social K+Y and CODEX Builders. Working with Kangle, I advise him on both business and professional development, directing him to focus on the big picture and exercise those skills that often go overlooked in young business-leader’s development, such as patience, conscientiousness, and meaningful relationship-building. I still mentor Kangle in his ventures, work with him on projects, and look forward to what he will do next!
Abril Flores
Abril Flores and I met in 2019 through a fellow business founder. After connecting over similarities in our cultural backgrounds, we began focusing on her personal development. Coming from a culture that leaves little room for women to attend college (let alone pursue careers), she was seeking advice on how to gain personal independence. I helped to inform her on her options as well as working to build up her own self-love, confidence, and mindfulness. Abril is now training to become a real estate agent, which she hopes will help her to build up her wealth and opportunities. I have continued to play a mentoring role in her life as she continues on her path of independence and self-actualization.