By: Joshua Finley
Born to immigrant parents from Vietnam, Victor Tran faced financial hardships but leveraged education to forge a path to success. Today, as the founder of JT Production Management, he manages large-scale events and significantly impacts communities. “My parents escaped war-torn Vietnam and came to Australia with nothing,” Victor shares. “Growing up, education was our way out of financial disadvantage. This background instilled in me the importance of making a positive impact through our work.”
Victor’s journey began ten years ago when he and his wife started JT Production Management. The core of their business lies in organizing events that build better communities, spark enriching conversations, and bring joy to attendees. Their portfolio includes events in education, government, climate change, and the health sector, both in Australia and globally, including collaborations with the United Nations.
Three Tips for Success
Through the years, Victor has learned many lessons along the path to success. Here, he shares three of his tips for entrepreneurs.
1. Embrace Change and Innovate
One of the pivotal moments in Victor’s career was the COVID-19 pandemic. With mass gatherings banned, JT Production Management faced a dire situation. “Overnight, we lost 90% of our jobs,” Victor recalls. “Being in Melbourne, the locked-down city in the world, we had to pivot quickly.”
Victor and his team turned to live streaming and virtual events. They created “Chef vs. Comedian,” a unique live-streamed show where chefs guided comedians through cooking, adding a humorous twist. This innovative approach kept audiences engaged and allowed JT Production Management to thrive despite the challenges.
Victor emphasizes, “Innovation is not just about technology. It’s about finding new ways to connect with your audience and providing value even in tough times.”
2. Build and Empower Your Team
Victor believes in the power of a strong, knowledgeable team. “From the beginning, we were a small team of six, including my wife and me,” he says. “We were five years in, we were growing slowly. But during the pandemic, we focused on building a knowledgeable team and empowering them.”
He introduced business coaching for partners and operators, ensuring they had the knowledge and skills to run the business effectively. “We want to break through walls,” Victor explains. “Acquiring knowledge and having a stake in the game is crucial for our team’s success.”
This approach paid off. By the end of 2020, JT Production Management had recovered, and by 2021, they doubled in size. By 2022, they tripled, with a team of 21 and a significant increase in events produced annually.
3. Form Strategic Partnerships
Partnerships have been instrumental in Victor’s success. During the pandemic, he collaborated with other affected businesses, such as the comedians from the Melbourne Comedy Festival and local restaurants. “We created a self-produced live stream, building websites, learning how to do live streams, and creating programs like ‘Chef vs. Comedian,'” Victor explains.
These partnerships helped sustain the business during tough times and expanded its reach and capabilities. “Look for partnerships that align with your goals and values,” Victor advises. “Together, you can achieve more and support each other through challenges.”
What’s Next for Victor Tran?
Victor continues to innovate and expand his business. He recently launched FutureEventsLab, an app designed to enhance event experiences by connecting attendees, providing analytics for organizers, and offering interactive features like Q&A sessions and interactive maps. “We’re constantly tweaking and improving our offerings to provide the premier value to our customers,” Victor says.
Another exciting venture is FRMEFEST, a premier event for visual storytellers set to take place in Sydney in July 2025. “We’re building a community for digital content creators, whether they’re professionals or influencers,” Victor shares. “It’s a platform to connect industry with community to elevate visual creation.”
Connect with Victor Tran via LinkedIn.
As JT Production Management grows, Victor’s focus remains on acquiring services that complement their core business, aiming to become a one-stop shop for event management worldwide. “We’re shifting our mindset toward growth and acquisitions,” Victor explains. “We want to provide more value to our customers by offering comprehensive services.” As he continues to expand his ventures and impact communities, Victor remains an inspiration for budding entrepreneurs.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
