In this episode of School of Self-Worth, I had the pleasure of interviewing Samantha Le, an inspiring Vietnamese American refugee, and CEO of the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce. Our conversation dives deep into grit, resilience, and what it truly means to own your journey, especially while navigating cultural barriers and building self-worth from the ground up.

We also explore Samantha’s rapid professional ascent, from customer service to VP to CEO, and the mindset that fueled her success. She credits her fast growth to determination, a desire to prove her worth in the face of bullying and discrimination, a willingness to learn from others, and a commitment to giving back by teaching what she learned.

Whether you’re navigating cultural expectations, stepping into leadership, or seeking ways to positively impact your community, this episode is filled with actionable insights, empowering stories, and heartfelt wisdom to inspire your next breakthrough.

THE TOP LEARNINGS IN THIS EPISODE:

The power of mentorship and access to resources for growth

Overcoming internal barriers and embracing self-worth

Handling criticism and envy when stepping into your power

The importance of evolving relationships and letting go

Navigating cultural expectations as an Asian American woman

Giving back to the community through supporting local businesses

GUEST BIO:

Samantha Le is a passionate community leader and proud Vietnamese American refugee rooted in South King County. As President and CEO of the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director of the Success Foundation, she champions equitable economic and workforce development.

A fierce advocate for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and women entrepreneurs, she works to ensure access and representation across industries. Her efforts have earned her regional acclaim, including recognition as a 2025 Puget Sound Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree.

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag @nicoletsong and @thesamanthastyle so we can give you a shout-out and thank you for your support!

Want to permanently reverse cultural conditioning and step into a life where you feel purposeful and thrive? Grab the Asian Visibility System: go.nicoletsong.com/visible.

Do you struggle with boundaries? Discover the blind spots holding you back and take the Boundary Tendencies Quiz: nicoletsong.com/quiz

Want to build morning habits that last so you jump out of bed with energy and clarity every morning? Join Nicole’s 5-Day Morning Challenge: go.nicoletsong.com/morning-habits

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For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit nicoletsong.com/podcast.

Have a question or topic you’d like Nicole to touch on in a future episode? Email podcast@nicoletsong.com to share any thoughts or feedback.

Learn More About Samantha Le :

• Seattle Southside Chamber
• @thesamanthastyle
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-l-5045a828/

Catch up with Nicole:

• Website: