Call with Hien Nguyen: Organizational Transformation, Trump World, and Austin Ventures

Date: May 13, 2025 Participants: Gary Sheng, Hien Nguyen, Ron (briefly)

Summary

This call covered several major business topics, including organizational problems at an education company Gary is consulting for, a "Trump World" development concept near Austin, and a potential high-end venue/club in Austin. Hien provided strategic advice on change management and organizational transformation while expressing interest in collaborating with Gary on several ventures. Hien mentioned he could potentially be in Austin in approximately 30 days.

Key Themes and Quotes

Education Organization Issues

Gary discussed problems with an education organization where he's consulting, including resistance to change, lack of data transparency, and ineffective leadership.

Gary: "And everyone tells me that I'm the only one telling the truth."

Hien: "What are people defending? Like, what are they trying to protect by not telling the truth?"

Gary: "The answer is that you should not be doing almost anything until you replace the leadership."

Gary mentioned the organization burns "hundreds of millions a year" and has many "remote consultants" and "people that don't do shit" who might get fired if Gary's recommendations are implemented.

Hien offered strategic advice on change management:

Hien: "You need your own team as well, by the sounds of it. Because, you know, these people sound like they're not connected to the vision very much."

Hien: "Often the best way to create that change is to have the strongest vision possible, but also to have the past people map out the path for every department to move to a better place."

Trump World Concept

Gary introduced a concept called "Trump World" - a Trump-branded charter city/development near Austin that would include:

• Golf courses, casinos, hotels, sports arenas
• Educational facilities branded as "Trump school powered by Alpha"
• Specialized schools for various sports and activities
• A futuristic experimental town attracting top talent
• Possibly hosting a World's Fair for America's 250th anniversary (July 4, 2026)

Gary: "It's a for-profit charter city owned by Trump as well as people that help him make it happen... It's just an order of complexity higher than a Trump hotel."

Gary: "It will be a lot like the business models... of golden age. Like, I mean, my tagline would be, like, 'Live in the golden age, experience the golden age.'"

Gary described his vision as creating multiple "Trump Worlds" that would function as "unofficial embassies" and form a "Trump network state."

Austin Social Venue/Club

Gary enthusiastically described a 30,000 square foot facility he recently toured in Austin that could be developed into an upscale venue:

Gary: "Block party venue... The basement is like the most amazing. It could be a total catacombs..."

Gary: "I understand classism now... I want to be in an environment that is elite, but doesn't feel elitist. And it's just like effortlessly cool."

The venue would host conferences, events, and serve as a high-end social space. Gary mentioned someone from Ibiza who previously invested $10 million in a venue that "made like a billion" was interested in the project.

Potential Collaboration

Hien expressed interest in collaborating with Gary on various ventures:

Hien: "I'd be happy to be, like, a special advisor to the CEO."

Hien: "I'm in. I'm coming. But let me ask you. So right now, are you 1090.90 with Joey?"

Hien suggested setting up a business entity that could handle consulting work while building toward larger projects:

Hien: "I'd like to set up two tracks. One is, you know, if all things go to plan and all my dreams come true or whatever, then it would turn into like a very well-funded whatever... If things are slower... at least it's something that... we could start to contract or consult out of."

Other Mentions

• White House Meeting: Gary mentioned he was in DC and planning to meet with Paula White (Trump's spiritual advisor) at the White House regarding a "God Wave Festival" concept
• Trump Connections: Discussion of connections to Trump associates through Garrett (who recently returned from Saudi Arabia) and is connected to Susie Wiles
• Family Office: Hien mentioned setting up a family office in Dubai and having a company in Singapore
• Health Issues: Hien alluded to dealing with GI/digestive health issues and needing to speak with his doctor

Next Steps

1. Hien plans to visit Austin in approximately 30 days (mid-June 2025)
2. Hien will speak with Garrett about potential Trump administration contacts
3. Gary will continue pursuing the Austin venue opportunity
4. Potential exploration of the Trump World concept pending further connections

Notable Quotes

Hien on organizational change: "You know, obviously, you just need to engage the leadership, you know, because you're creating change here, and like, change is a certain special type of, like, you know, fucked-up management skill."

Gary on vision: "It's really all connected. I mean, Joe Liemandt is literally meeting with Don Jr., Ivanka, and Jared. And so, like, all this is in deep proximity, you know?"

Hien on personal priorities: "I'll put together a real estate fund to invest, but, like, personally, I don't think it's a good idea to lock up your capital in property."

Gary on Hien's potential: "I think you want to be summoning the future of civilization. That's what I see you as, a summoner of the future of civilization."

Hien on healing approach: "The bad stuff that exists is, you know, an imbalance in something that already exists... It's not really badness. It's something that got out of balance and something else that needs to be supported more."