Emotional connection through Need a Friend helps young people find s...

"Need a friend" is a spiritual meeting place for many people, especially young people.

In the age of rapidly developing technology, people have countless ways to connect but find it difficult to truly empathize, Vu Duc Anh founded the project Need a Friend. The project was born from the real needs of young people: to confide in someone, to share their thoughts and feelings, to unburden their worries. Starting a business by "listening" to strangers' confidences, Vu Duc Anh (28 years old, living in Hanoi ) cherished a humane goal: to provide spiritual support for lonely souls, to help them find empathy, to be less confused and to boldly move forward.

Kind and professional service

Unlike professional psychological counseling models, Need a Friend operates as an emotional support service through 1:1 chat (in person or online). "I want to turn listening - something that seems simple - into a kind and professional service. Everyone deserves to have a true friend in their weakest moments" - Duc Anh expressed.

For a long time, Duc Anh "fed" the project with personal income, gradually cutting fixed costs, promoting online services and constantly improving customer experience.

The project aims to create a truly safe space where customers are allowed to be honest with themselves, to speak out what is on their mind without fear of judgment or hurt. "The project's companions are carefully selected, based on communication skills and inner strength, so that every conversation is an experience of sincerity and sharing" - this Gen Z guy said.

Graduated from the Accounting and Finance program of the international joint program of Sunway University (Malaysia) and Lancaster University (UK), Duc Anh has held the position of assistant branch manager and financial director at many large domestic companies. A solid foundation in finance, information technology and business administration is a great advantage for Duc Anh to have an attractive job with good income and high promotion opportunities. He is also a teaching assistant at an international university - where he accompanies multinational students who are struggling with their new life. It is the times of contact, help and companionship with them that made him realize: not all pain needs advice. "Sometimes we just need someone gentle enough to be by our side and listen with a patient and enthusiastic heart" - Duc Anh analyzed.

Duc Anh's proudest achievement is not in sales, but in a profound lesson about humanity: that every individual needs a spiritual support to be listened to, trusted and to be themselves.

Do not pursue short-term benefits

As a new model in Vietnam, Need a Friend has faced a lot of skepticism. "What's the use of chatting?" - that question used to be a big barrier for him, especially when emotional value cannot be measured by numbers. Besides, the cost of operating the business headquarters, human resources, communications... all far exceed the revenue.

The Need a Friend community group on Facebook founded by Duc Anh also attracted a lot of attention.

However, Duc Anh still persisted with his goal, not focusing on profit. He chose to "go slow but sure", not sacrificing his mission just to pursue short-term benefits. "In business, if you go in the right direction and promote kindness, it can become the most sustainable competitive advantage" - he concluded.

Currently, the project headquarters operates in Hanoi and Phu Tho with the long-term goal of developing services in English, targeting the foreign community living in Vietnam, and at the same time testing cooperation with schools and businesses to expand the companion network.

Duc Anh's "reward" these days is the positive feedback from those who have come to Need a Friend. One customer once left a message after the conversation: "If we hadn't had this conversation today, I probably wouldn't have known I had the strength to continue living." For Duc Anh, that is not only a meaningful recognition of the path he is pursuing, but also the clearest proof that Need a Friend is on the right track, albeit quietly but necessary in an era full of communication breakdowns and a lack of connection between people.

Duc Anh said that the journey of accompanying the project not only "heals" others, but is also an opportunity for him to calm down, understand and improve himself through the values ​​created. According to Duc Anh, there is no need to wait for all conditions to become perfect to start something. "Just a heart that knows how to listen and a big enough reason to start, everything else will gradually be learned and become clearer on the journey we take" - he confided.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ai-cung-can-mot-nguoi-ban-196250906195128166.htm