Helen Wu
Helen Wu came to the U.S. from China when she was 24, armed with a master’s degree in math and a desire for a better life. She experienced many “firsts”, such as going to a modern supermarket and eating pizza, leaned on new American friends to teach her about the nuances of the culture, and soaked in everything she could learn from TV shows, books and advertisements. It was through her own experience living in another culture that she realized that soft skills are just as important as academics, and when she returned for a brief time to China, her business idea was born. She founded a specialized school in Virginia to help Chinese students who want to study abroad in the U.S develop both the academics and life tools they need to succeed, turning her own learning curves into preparing the next generation. She talks to us about hard work, following your passion, and learning from your surroundings.
What are the top three qualities of a good leader and are they things you’ve always possessed?
Integrity, communication and emotional intelligence. I am an honest person and I like to talk to people, but I didn’t have emotional intelligence when I was young. I was impatient, especially when someone couldn’t understand what I asked for, or still got things wrong after I explained it several times. I changed when I had my son. When he was a baby, I started teaching him, and it takes a while for a baby to understand and do things well. If I was impatient, he simply got more confused, and subsequently, nothing could be achieved. At work, if I want somebody else on my team to help me get something done, I have to be patient. You have to have emotional intelligence, manage your emotions effectively and prevent negative emotions. When I’m facing urgent situations, I tell myself to control my emotions and stay calm. Then I can think clearly and can influence the whole team.
How did you come up with your business idea, and what made you passionate about it in the first place?
In 2012, I quit my job in the financial sector, where I worked for more than 16 years, because I had to go back to China to take care of my father, who was sick. During that time, I saw many young Chinese students who wanted to study in the U.S., who needed a lot of help, not only in academics, but also in learning about American culture and social skills. That’s when I decided to start my school. All my students have become better and smarter global citizens. It’s gratifying.
Many students from foreign countries come to America to seek a better education and future. What inspired you to come here, and what challenges did you face?
That’s true for most of the Chinese students in Gen Z, however, it’s not the case for the current international students from China. A lot of them still want to return home after completing their education. When I decided to come to the US, I took the chance because studying abroad meant that I could see more, learn more, and do more. I was only 24 years old and had just finished graduate school, and I faced a big unknown challenge. I knew nothing about American culture and American life. Practically everything was different from China. I still remember the first time I walked into a grocery store, and I was shocked by the abundance of choices. At that time China only had small shops in the neighborhood. I experienced pizza for the first time because we didn’t have pizza in China at that time. It was the first time that I saw free toilet paper in a restaurant. In China, you have to bring your own toilet paper. Everything was new and eye-opening every day. I had to learn everything from scratch.
Many in Gen Z are becoming more interested in learning second or more languages. Could you share some tips about how to overcome language and cultural barriers to be an effective leader?
The best way to learn a second language is to learn in that environment. If you would like to learn French, find the opportunity to visit France or a French speaking area. If you’re learning Chinese, then talk to some Chinese people. You can learn a lot of new things by talking to people and simply asking questions. Also, pay attention to your surroundings. When I came to the US, I learned from everything around me, including TV programs, store catalogs, advertisements, even free seminars. Just keep trying. Don’t be embarrassed. You’re going to make huge progress by finding opportunities to use the language.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
I have always managed to leave my mark on all the areas I have been in. When I was in the banking industry, I was the first to develop the China market and help China Central Bank set up their credit bureau. I was instrumental in setting up the Virginia International Academy, and I’m the first one to do that, and I know how to advocate to young Chinese students.
What about your biggest failure?
My biggest failure was in 2000 involving a startup company. I planned to work in the risk management area in China, but I didn’t realize that the analytical concept was too early for the market, so it took me a long time to educate the market in order to generate a genuine demand. Unfortunately, the company closed within a year. You need to ensure that what you’re doing goes along with the actual demand.
What is your favorite quote from a famous entrepreneur or figure? How do you apply this to your work?
When I was young my favorite quote was by Albert Einstein: “A genius is 1% talent and 99% hard work.” I thought that if I worked very hard, when I got older and started taking on more responsibilities – from managing projects to eventually becoming the CEO of a company – I could realize my dream of founding my own school. Currently my favorite quote is from Steve Jobs: “Stay hungry, stay foolish.” I should stay hungry because I must keep learning. I must keep learning new things and make progress. I should stay foolish because I should keep my curiosity and never stop trying new things.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?
Do something you’re really interested in. Don’t do it just to make money, or because everyone else is doing it. The world has changed. [My generation] thought that by obtaining knowledge or education, we were changing our fate. We tried to get a good education so we could have a better life. However, most of today’s kids already have very good lives. If you already possess this luxury or luck, you should definitely try to pursue something that you really want. Maybe it doesn’t make much money, but you can make it meaningful to the world in your own way. Maybe it’s something that your parents don’t really understand, but try to do something that you are really passionate about.
Who was your biggest mentor and what did they teach you?
My biggest mentor was a retired professor from Stanford. When I met him, he was about 80 years old. He taught me how to handle relationships with my colleagues in an American company, and how to get used to American culture. I used to like practicing math in my spare time, but he said, “No, you need to watch new movies, attend sports games, expand your interests, and become a fun person. This will give you common topics to discuss with your colleagues. This is what will help you with your career.” It was at that moment that it hit me that it’s the simple things that make a huge difference.
Many in Gen Z are questioning the value of college. How did your educational environment affect your personal development as a business leader?
Your generation probably saw Bill Gates drop out of college and thought you don’t really need college to be a billionaire. To me, a college education will equip you with the tools to be successful in your future. Not necessarily knowledge in a particular field, because with the internet, people can find what they’re looking for very quickly. However, go to college to learn from your professors and to learn from each other. It will really change your way of thinking, you will get a better perspective of the world, and you get a better idea of where you might fit in the world. Before you go, know what you need, what you’re expecting, and ultimately immerse yourself in the whole experience.
We have grown up with conveniences such as the smartphone and the internet. What was your experience without these tools, and what lessons did you learn by approaching problems without them?
The tool is there, so use it, but use it properly. The good thing about the internet is you can quickly get answers, but the bad part is as a learner, you can be easily distracted and not spend the time to think thoroughly through some questions. Sometimes people get lazy and take the easy way out because they don’t want to think deeply about it.
