Before running multiple businesses and raising two kids under three, we were teenagers flipping burgers and making bubble tea. Those early jobs taught us lessons in leadership, resilience and communication that shaped how we work today. We talk about how customer service builds trust, why communication still matters in every career, and how staying calm under pressure can change the way you lead. We unpack:• Real skills your first job teaches about teamwork and leadership• Why every young person should experience retail or hospitality work• How to handle pressure and difficult customers• The value of empathy, communication and self-leadership Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on your favourite podcast platform. Link in bio. Julia Truong IG: @juliatruong.official |Website: juliatruong.comVictor Tran IG: @victortran.official |Website: victortran.com.auElevate Podcast IG: @elevatepodcast_official

In our early days we did every part of recruitment ourselves. We rushed a hire, skipped reference checks, and learned the hard way that the wrong culture fit can cost time, money, and momentum. Those mistakes forced us to rethink how we hire, lead, and protect the business. We break down the playbook we use now: clear position descriptions, capability frameworks, and real feedback cycles. How to track time and performance so projects stay profitable. Why culture and values need to lead every hire. What to lock into your contracts to protect your IP and team. When to bring in HR, legal, and industry recruiters. Plus how to interview for leadership by hiring people smarter than you, and what candidates can do to stand out for the right reasons. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform.  Julia Truong - IG: @juliatruong.official | LinkedIn | Website: juliatruong.com Victor Tran - IG: @victortran.official | LinkedIn | Website: victortran.com.au Elevate Podcast - IG: @elevatepodcast_official

What happens when your baby arrives a month early during the busiest events season of the year? For Juls and Vic, it meant opening a laptop in the hospital, pushing through on adrenaline, and realising their business couldn’t run without them. In this episode, they share the unfiltered truth about burnout, the moment they explored selling the company, and the mentors who helped them see a smarter way forward. You’ll hear how they reframed maternity as an accelerator, why they believe balance is a myth, and the exact leadership moves that freed them to grow both their family and their businesses. From considering an exit to creating an empire, this is the raw story of how Juls and Vic rebuilt with clarity, structure and purpose.

What happens when your co-founder is also your partner in life? For Juls and Vic, eight years of working side by side has meant shared wins, tough lessons and plenty of growth. In this episode, they open up about the realities of building a business empire as husband and wife. From giving feedback without turning it into a fight, to the cost of hiring mistakes, to raising two kids while running multiple companies, this is the unfiltered version of what it takes to grow together in every sense. You will hear about the “mindset” that helps them turn setbacks into opportunities, the weekly rituals that keep them aligned, and why they believe balance is a myth. Instead, they lean into a work and life blend that makes space for both ambition and family. This episode is a behind the scenes look at how to strengthen a partnership, set clear roles, and build resilience when business and love are part of the same journey.

In the beginning, it was theatre shows, profit-share gigs, and long nights of networking. The first year of JT Production Management felt like pure gig economy, uncertain and unpredictable. By year two, everything changed. Securing a major contract with the University of Melbourne transformed side hustles into a sustainable business. In this episode, Juls and Vic share the early struggles of pricing, hustling for clients, recruitment mistakes, and the hard lessons of learning how to step back and let their team thrive. It’s a raw look at how a passion project grew into a company under full management. This episode is your behind-the-scenes guide to turning uncertainty into growth, knowing your worth, and learning when to let go so your business can truly scale.

In our very first episode of Elevate with Jules & Vic, we open up about the early days, navigating business, balancing family, and learning how to stand strong in a world that never seems to slow down. From finding the right mentors to asking tough questions about purpose, we share the pivotal moments that shaped who we are today. This isn’t just about careers, it’s about discovering your path, understanding yourself, and building a foundation for what really matters. This episode is your introduction to Elevate, where business meets family and real conversations spark growth. Join us as we explore what it means to find clarity in the chaos.