A Road Less Traveled Podcast · Hilary Haron

Running the Business: Binh Tran | A Road Less Traveled Podcast

·33 min·3 clips

Ben Tran shares how running an ultra marathon helps him cope with his natural depression and mental breakdowns.

Host Hillary Herron interviews serial entrepreneur Binh Tran, who co-owns a nail salon with his wife. Tran, a first-generation Vietnamese American with a film degree, discusses his unconventional career path. He moved to Vietnam in 2019 to reconnect with his culture after a 2017 visit revealed a missing piece of his identity. Tran and his wife initially planned to open a restaurant upon returning to the U.S. but pivoted to a nail salon during COVID. He describes the beauty industry as 99.9% female in clientele and notes they partner primarily with female-owned companies. Tran credits his wife, Tram, as the operational "brain" behind their businesses, while he handles front-facing and social media roles. He explains their dynamic works because he willingly cedes the primary decision-making authority to his wife. Tran recently completed a 100-mile ultramarathon, the Silver Moon Race in Reedley, to build mental resilience. He states the race caused three mental breakdowns, with low points at miles 30 and 70, but he finished by focusing on one step at a time. Tran uses endurance challenges to gain perspective, making daily business and personal stresses seem manageable. He admits to weekly depressive ruts and recharges by isolating himself to listen to artists like NF and Joyner Lucas. Tran says he lacks traditional mentors and finds his wife is the only person who fully shares and supports his vision. He emphasizes the importance of liking your partner, not just loving them, for a sustainable work and life relationship. Tran is currently in a self-declared "season of rest" after scaling the business aggressively last year led to burnout. He realized his exhaustion only after taking a two-week break, finding he could not immediately return to his previous output. Tran advises listeners to always be themselves, as authenticity builds more real relationships than a curated persona. The conversation is casual, personal, and introspective, blending business talk with mental health and life philosophy. The tone is supportive and confessional, with both host and guest sharing vulnerable moments. This episode appeals to listeners interested in immigrant entrepreneurship, spousal business partnerships, and mental resilience. It may be less suitable for those seeking highly structured business tactics or industry-specific analysis.

As heard by us

A founder story that treats resilience as a daily practice, not a slogan.

Ben Tran comes across less like a polished founder origin story and more like someone telling the truth about what happens when you stop trying to fit one lane.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

For when you want a business story that also feels like a reset after burnout.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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