Kim Loan Duong is 32, and onto her third business. She is co-owner of Empire Society, which she co-founded in 1999 and organizes events worldwide. She then branched out into Prestigious Models in 2002, an Asian and Pan-Asian modeling agency. In 2012, she launched a third time with Image Powerhouse, an entertainment production studio specializing in fashion, beauty and lifestyle, as well as new divisions for Prestigious Models in Fashion, Print, Commercial, TV and Film. Her story is inspiring for how she broke through some of the myths that hold back other aspiring entrepreneurs.
Secret Entourage Academy
Secret Academy Episode – David Mammano
David Mammano’s mission in life is to help young adults realize their highest potential through education. To accomplish this mission, David founded NextStepU in 1995. NextStepU, a multi-media company with digital, mobile, video and print products has grown to become a nationwide resource that helps more than 4 million students a year with college, career and life planning. NextStepU is a leader in its category. It has grown to become a multimillion-dollar enterprise and winner of many prestigious awards and honors, including being named a three times consecutive Inc. 5000 growth company; a Rochester, N.Y., Top 100 growth company; and Youth Periodical of the Year from the Association of Educational Publishers. David graduated from the University at Buffalo in 1991 with a bachelor’s in communications/advertising. He is also a graduate of the MIT Entrepreneurial Masters Program, an executive education program offered through the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO).
Secret Academy Episode – Jason Metz
As the CEO of Brand Influencers, Jason provides a blueprint for influencer marketing success, demonstrating brands how to control social intelligence and behavioral targeting to monetize social media and optimize consumer engagement – online and offline. For the past decade, Jason has created award-winning campaigns for brands including Porsche, Procter & Gamble, Nokia, MillerCoors, Beam Global, A&E, IBM, 3M, Acura, Johnson & Johnson and Adidas. True to his entrepreneurial self, he has created six successful businesses, from publishing to fashion.
Secret Academy Episode – Rob Dahm
There are no shortcuts to success but only hard work, smart decisions, and the hunger for success. This is the belief of Rob Dahm, a successful yet realistic entrepreneur who is admired by many for keeping it real and staying humble. Rob’s success came from starting an Information Technology company in his local hometown which has grown over the years in terms of client base but also services provided. He now runs several other businesses but also spends his free time as a Youtube partner where he makes videos about cars and business tips.
Secret Academy Episode – Jordan Swerdloff
The wheel industry is a very crowded space with many new wheel manufacturers popping up left and right. What happens if you fail? Most would give up and pursue other venues. Jordan Swerdloff originally founded 360 Forged, a boutique high end wheel line. With unexpected positive response, the business grew faster than Jordan could manage and unfortunately he decided to leave that business in order to have the needs of his customers met and fulfilled by their new owners. Consider that a lesson learned since Jordan has since launched his second wheel line, ADV1 Wheels, which has had even more even greater success and continues to be one of the most respected and well known wheel manufacturers today.