We are proud to announce that Di Tran, CEO of Louisville Beauty Academy, has been recognized as one of Louisville Business First’s 2024 Most Admired CEOs. This prestigious honor highlights Di Tran’s visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to uplifting the Louisville community through education, workforce development, and entrepreneurship.
Elevating Lives and Creating Opportunities
Under Di Tran’s leadership, Louisville Beauty Academy has graduated more than 1,000 students, with a majority being new immigrants who are soon to become proud American citizens. These graduates are not just entering the job market—they are thriving, with a nearly 90% job placement rate. Many have gone on to become successful salon owners and small business entrepreneurs, contributing to the local economy and elevating the beauty industry in Kentucky.
Affordable, Flexible, and Inclusive Education
What sets Louisville Beauty Academy apart is its commitment to accessibility. By offering 50% to 75% scholarships or tuition discounts, Di Tran ensures that individuals from all walks of life—especially immigrants—can pursue a legitimate career in beauty. This mission aligns with the Academy’s goal of boosting the local job market and expanding the pool of licensed talent in the beauty industry.
Expanding the Mission: New Partnerships and Locations
Louisville Beauty Academy’s mission doesn’t stop with education. Di Tran and his team are preparing to open their second location in partnership with Harbor House of Louisville. This new facility will be part of Harbor House’s evolving intergenerational and multicultural workforce development center, serving individuals with disabilities, offering childcare, elder care, and job training. Together, they are creating smiles and opportunities for all, proving that beauty is more than skin deep—it’s about transforming lives.
Di Tran: A Mission-Driven Leader
Di Tran’s recognition as one of Louisville’s most admired CEOs is a testament to his leadership, vision, and heart for service. His efforts go beyond running a beauty school. Di Tran is committed to empowering communities, supporting new immigrants, and fostering job growth. He is the epitome of a leader who works for the betterment of others, driven by the desire to “Create Smiles” in every life he touches.
As Louisville Beauty Academy continues to grow, with its second location poised to make an even greater impact, we are immensely proud of Di Tran and the entire team. This recognition only further solidifies our commitment to delivering excellence in beauty education and community service.
Founded by Di Tran, a multifaceted entrepreneur, scholar, and practitioner, Louisville Beauty Academy (LBA) is more than just a beauty school. It stands as a Kentucky State-Licensed and State-Accredited Beauty College, reflecting its commitment to high standards of education and compliance with state regulations. As a licensed institution, LBA ensures its graduates are fully prepared to meet state requirements and succeed in their beauty careers, making it a trusted educational provider in the region.
A Vision Rooted in Love and Empowerment
Di Tran’s journey is a powerful story of perseverance and passion. With over 20 years of experience in the cosmetology industry, Tran’s goal was not to open just another beauty salon but to create a workforce development enterprise. His vision was shaped by his desire to empower individuals, particularly new immigrants and underserved populations, with the tools and knowledge to achieve economic stability and independence. This spirit of empowerment is woven into the very fabric of Louisville Beauty Academy, where students are encouraged to pursue careers in beauty as a pathway to a brighter future.
At the heart of LBA’s mission is care for the community. The academy partners with nonprofit organizations like Harbor House, providing free or low-cost beauty services to those in need. This reflects Di Tran’s belief that education and business should not only serve financial goals but also uplift communities and make a real difference in people’s lives.
Embracing Technology: AI-Assisted Translation and Beyond
LBA is forward-thinking in its use of technology, particularly in embracing AI-assisted tools that make education more inclusive. In a diverse community like Louisville, many students and clients speak languages other than English. To address this, LBA incorporates AI-powered translation tools, such as mobile device translation apps, into its operations. This technology ensures that non-English-speaking students, including those fluent in Vietnamese, Spanish, and other languages, can fully participate in the educational experience. AI assistance in translation is not just a technological advancement—it is a bridge of understanding and inclusion.
This approach aligns with Tran’s dedication to humanizing each interaction at LBA. By breaking down language barriers, the academy fosters an environment where everyone, regardless of their background, feels welcomed and supported. It’s part of a broader cultural shift in the beauty industry, one that champions inclusivity, diversity, and the power of technology to enhance human connection.
A Culture of Intentional Learning Through Failure
One of the most unique aspects of Di Tran’s philosophy is his approach to failure. At LBA, failure is not seen as something to avoid but rather as an essential part of the learning process. Di Tran is a firm believer in the idea of “failing fast”—intentionally pushing boundaries, making mistakes, and learning from them. This mindset is embedded in LBA’s curriculum, where students are encouraged to experiment, make mistakes, and grow from those experiences.
For Di Tran, failure is the path to mastery. His diverse background—ranging from being a beauty expert to a scholar with a Master’s in Computer Engineering and a successful entrepreneur in fields like real estate, pharmacy, and technology—has taught him that real success comes from constantly learning and adapting. By embracing failure, students at LBA are prepared not only for technical excellence but also for the real-world challenges they will face in their careers.
Di Tran’s Expansive Vision: Di Tran University and Spiritual Business Leadership
In addition to his work with LBA, Di Tran has authored over 30 books on topics ranging from spiritual business to humanizing leadership. These works, which are available on his Amazon author page, reflect his commitment to sharing his knowledge on creating meaningful businesses rooted in love, care, and service. These publications are also integrated into Di Tran University, his latest educational venture that aims to provide a comprehensive approach to personal and professional growth, emphasizing spiritual, business, and humanization principles.
The books cover a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:
Spiritual business leadership, which emphasizes balancing financial success with a heart for service.
Humanizing the workplace, focusing on creating environments where love, care, and understanding lead to productivity.
Failing fast and learning intentionally, exploring how failure is a crucial element of growth.
These books are central to the curriculum at Di Tran University, where students from various disciplines are taught to integrate ethical business practices with spiritual and personal development, ensuring they succeed not just financially, but in a way that benefits their communities and enriches their own lives.
Building a Legacy of Love and Excellence
Beyond its technological advancements and inclusive policies, LBA is grounded in a culture of love and care—principles that Di Tran instills in his staff, instructors, and students. This philosophy stems from his own personal values, as well as his belief in the importance of giving back to the community. Whether it’s providing free beauty services to those in need or offering scholarships and flexible payment plans to students, LBA embodies the spirit of service.
Tran’s diverse expertise—coupled with his hands-on, compassionate approach to education—makes LBA a unique institution in the beauty industry. Students not only gain technical skills but are also taught the importance of service, empathy, and lifelong learning.
In essence, Louisville Beauty Academy is more than just a beauty school; it’s a place where human connection, technology, and education meet to create opportunities for growth, success, and the betterment of the community. Through Di Tran’s leadership, LBA stands as a model for how businesses can thrive by embracing both innovation and love in everything they do.
