Meet Vivian Zhang | President and Founder of Words to Heart

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vivian Zhang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vivian, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Words to Heart started as holiday cards, thank-you notes attached to presents, and encouraging texts from friends. Even though each message was simple, its beauty lies in its ability to brighten someone’s day with just a few words. Vivian, our founder, hoped to transform these everyday, private messages into something that could be proliferated throughout the entire community — that’s how Words to Heart was created. Today, Words to Heart is a project to funnel support into the lives of public service workers and groups in need while simultaneously forming deeper relationships between Plano West’s student body and our surrounding community.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Our main goal is to spread positivity throughout our community in the form of heartfelt messages of gratitude and encouragement, and it makes us so proud to see that our letters can bring a bit of joy to someone’s day. We hope that our letters are able to reach service workers and other members of the community who may not always get the recognition they deserve. So far, we have been able to deliver letters not just in our local area, but also across the nation, reaching groups like essential workers, nurses, seniors, and military heroes. What’s great about the organization is that it is student-led, and the letters are written by students as well. It has been so special to see how each student can create a personal connection with their recipient through a simple note of gratitude. Of course, the pandemic brought a unique set of challenges to the organization. There were some logistical obstacles that we had to work through, but we have been able to use a digital transcription system and create new delivery plans that allow for the safe collection and distribution of our letters. Our letter submissions actually increased quite a bit, and it has been very rewarding to see the positivity spread throughout our community.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of my favorite spots in the city is the Bishop Arts District in Dallas. The area is only a couple of blocks but it’s filled with exciting things to see and do. I love strolling down the street and browsing the shops that line the block. My favorite shop in the Arts District is the antique shop, which always has cool trinkets to check out every time I go. If I ever get hungry, I always make sure to stop by my favorite dessert restaurant: Pie Emporium. Nothing satisfies my sweet tooth more than a slice of their Lord of The Pies Apple Pie paired with their handmade vanilla ice cream. Their pies are a must-try when visiting Bishop Arts District. As you’re strolling down the block, there are plenty of colorful murals on buildings that you can stop to admire and take pictures with. With the endless shops and restaurants to visit, colorful murals, and live music, the Bishop Arts District is a great place to explore when in Dallas.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Every day, it becomes evident how much people within our own communities work toward positively impacting the lives of others. And this is shown in a multitude of ways as people build up their creativity and constantly develop new ideas and approaches toward the ultimate goal of helping people. It’s something we see more of each and every day as more and more individuals use their talents and interests as a tool to improve the community. People of all different backgrounds, histories, environments, and more coming together to accomplish something greater than themselves. It inspires us every day as we look to find new heroes who strive to build a better world, not only for the current generations but for generations beyond us. So, if we were to give a shoutout to who inspired us most, it would be the individuals we discover each day, who envision a greater future for their community, and venture toward turning those visions into a reality. Small or big, positive impacts are being made. And not only are they making a difference directly, but they stimulate future ideas to flourish as well.

Website: https://wordstoheart.wixsite.com/home

Instagram: @wordstoheartpwsh