Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Hung.
Hi Wendy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Taipei, Taiwan then immigrated to California when I was ten years old. After graduating from University of California at Berkeley, I serendipitously stumbled upon an opportunity to manage an independent music label under the umbrella of a cable company. As a goal-oriented person, I knew I wanted to win a Grammy with one of the albums. When the very last album was nominated with three and won two, I knew my journey needed to take a turn. I began asking myself: what did I want to accomplish on a personal level? I knew I wanted to be fluent in different languages before turning 30, so I quit my job, packed up my bags and moved to Tokyo to learn Japanese.
As it turned out, Tokyo and I were oil and water. My one-year plan was shortened to six months. Since I spoke high school-level French at the time, I packed up my bags again and moved to Paris. As soon as I planted my feet in Montmartre, I knew that I was in my universe. Paris was – and still is – where I belong.
Throughout my travels in Europe, I noticed that Americans didn’t travel as much as Europeans did. The travesty lies in a myopic worldview that made me wonder: How can we lead in the world when we don’t see the world? As I began to use my international experiences as a classroom and opportunities to learn, I was also inspired to start a platform where travelers can share personal stories and anecdotes that have changed their lives. What began as Jetset Times eventually added an e-commerce platform featuring travel accessories made by independent craftsmen from around the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Professionally, managing a travel digital magazine during COVID-19 has been a wild ride. When the world stopped traveling, we needed to find ways to survive. Under normal circumstances, I typically travel to 14 countries a year, so my team and I learned to take this hibernation as a unique chance to work on our travel guides, SEO and shift in content. Instead of publishing articles that recommend places to eat and drink, we focused on social issues in certain countries that Americans can also relate to. For instance, Drug Culture series, Dating Abroad, Beauty Standards, Transgerderism are all defined differently in various cultures. We wanted to explore them all! Thanks to these changes, not only did our brand grow, our traffic did as well.
On a personal level, being multicultural is never a smooth road. As a woman, I bear traditional Taiwanese roots along with a charismatic American attitude, all the while exuding a certain European fatalistic flair. It can sometimes be a beautiful tapestry of cultures but most of the time, it’s all very confusing. Most of all, it confuses me! Belonging to many cultures also means that you never feel quite complete. There’s always a part of you that endures a little brokenness. To embrace the self, we must understand our identities. It took me a long time, but I’m finally at a place where I stop feeling like there’s a part of one culture that’s missing within me. I can never speak one language 100% perfectly, I can never act fully Parisian or American or Taiwanese. But I am 100% the combination of those three lovely cultures and I can be unique in sporting that vibrant tapestry with immense pride.
As you know, we’re big fans of Jetset Times. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I started Jetset Times as a platform to inspire young Americans to travel the world, following my family’s motto: Traveling is the best form of education. The website was an answer to: How can we change the world if we don’t see the world? We eventually added Jetset Times SHOP – an e-commerce platform featuring travel-related products made by independent ateliers and local artisans around the world. Today, the digital magazine features interviews with Michelin chefs, conceptual hotels, travel stories, cool addresses and social issues in various cultures.
The one element that I’m the most proud of is that there’s so much heart in everything that we do. Kindness is what I highlight the most, and I hope it comes through via our content and our attitudes.
How do you define success?
For me, success is measured by daily fulfillment. And that may change on a daily basis! Before I start the day, I always ask myself: How can I be better today than I was yesterday. If I can honestly sense evolvement by the time I go to bed, then I know I’ve had a successful day. Sometimes, it can be as simple as having a great workout and eating well. Or being a better friend, daughter, and sister. Or nailing a sales pitch. As long as there’s positive movement towards bettering the self or the world, that defines success in my book.
Contact Info:
- Email: contact@jetsettimes.com
- Instagram: @wendyhung915
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JetsetTimes/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JetsetTimes/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/jetsettimes
- Other: https://jetsettimes.com
