We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hanh Nguyen and Carrie Carroll, co-founders of Embers & Oak Storyworks. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hanh and Carrie below where they share their unique paths into storytelling, what drives them to take risks, how a sauerkraut pizza brought them together, and more.
Hanh and Carrie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?We understand you recently launched Embers & Oak Storyworks to help organizations share their brand stories in more meaningful ways. What has the journey been like starting this company together, and how do each of you approach risk?
Hanh: Risk is something I always lean into, because I know that on the other side is growth. No matter the outcome, it’s always growth that comes from trying something I believe in and giving myself the opportunity to succeed. In some ways, it’s like a gift to my future self. Knowing this, I set big goals and then I relentlessly keep at them — allowing myself a little grace and kindness along the way. Whether it’s making a feature documentary film for the first time with a negative balance in my bank account, or hiking the 220-mile John Muir Trail with no experience, pursuing a heartfelt goal is the essence of the human experience. In both those cases, I may not have known how difficult it would be — or how transformed I would be afterward.
Currently, I’m eight years into my second documentary feature, which will release later this year, and I recently left a steady job at a corporate company I respect to launch Embers & Oak Storyworks with my business partner, Carrie. I freakin’ love it!!!
Carrie: Like Hanh, a good challenge fuels me. In fact, the best way to motivate me is to tell me I can’t do something, whether that’s “running” a marathon or installing a kitchen sink. I’m drawn to challenges. And like I tell my kids, I believe we learn far more from failure than from success, so embrace challenges and don’t be afraid to take risks.
But, unlike my partner, the idea of taking a big risk—the vulnerability of putting everything on the line—gives me serious heart palpitations. I’m the quintessential planner, someone who loves diving into a good SWOT and potential problem analysis. For me, real risk means restless nights. But I balance that with knowing that our days on this earth are finite, and I don’t want to waste any of them. So when an opportunity arises to do work that you’re truly passionate about, with an incredible partner like Hanh, you take that leap. Launching a women-owned brand storytelling agency is the bet of a lifetime, but we’re all in!
Your paths into storytelling are quite different. How did you each discover your creative voice and how did you hone your craft along the way?
Hanh: I’ve always been an artist at heart. My early training was in fine arts, and growing up sculpture and photography, in particular, were my primary mediums of self-expression. Once I got to college, I discovered that filmmaking encapsulates all the art forms that I love. It’s this perfect vessel that can amplify my voice. As someone who has struggled with a stutter all my life, communication and confidence have always been challenges. Filmmaking allows me to express my voice through the stories of others, in an effort to make sense of our complex and challenging world. It wasn’t until recently that I came to see my stutter as a gift. Because of it, I move through the world more slowly, with greater strength, patience and perhaps a deeper, more intentional understanding of others.
When I first began my career, I did everything from wedding videography to architecture videos, scenic painting for “Yo Gabba Gabba!” to stints as a legal clerk and blackjack dealer — all the while, honing my skills and holding my dreams closely. Looking back now, I’m grateful for those varied experiences and lessons, and pull from them all when I’m in the field. Somehow, they have come together to build the fabric of my professional career.
During my five years with American Honda as a content developer, the position became another distinct, invaluable incubator for me to hone my craft. But mastering storytelling isn’t just about refining technical skills — it’s always been about mastering myself. Storytelling, I’ve come to learn, is a practice. Every story I tell, it brings me closer to becoming a better version of myself.
Carrie: I’ve always loved to write, or at least I thought I did. In college, I majored in Communications, and through classes in film, speech and art history, I discovered that what I’m truly passionate about is the ability to move people — to make them feel and think. In our modern world, I love that you can tell powerful stories that move people through so many mediums.
After graduating from UCLA, I went into the entertainment industry, working at Artisan Entertainment (now Lionsgate) and later at Paramount Classics (now Paramount Vantage). At these studios, I learned a whole new level of resourcefulness, that the answer is never “no” but rather “here’s what we can do,” and how to squeeze every penny out of a tight budget. While I loved being surrounded by the art of filmmaking, I eventually found my home at Honda. There, I had the opportunity to explore a variety of communications tools, write for different voices, and experiment with new techniques and channels.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to embrace change. I’ve found that moving around, writing for different audiences, and exploring various writing styles has helped me grow in unexpected ways. It’s not just about gaining versatility or building experience — it’s about developing empathy. The chance to see the world through someone else’s eyes and help tell their story is both a responsibility and a gift. It makes us more compassionate and gives the audience a deeper understanding of others. Right now, I believe the world could use more of that.
Do you wish you had started your business together sooner?
Hanh: I wished I’d met Carrie sooner. But then again, would I have been ready? Probably not. Timing is everything, and for us, our partnership was the result of a serendipitous moment. Embers & Oak Storyworks was born out of our deep respect for each other, our individual mastery of our chosen crafts and the belief that storytelling is the most powerful tool that connects and inspires each one of us to be the best versions of ourselves.
Carrie: What she said!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Embers & Oak Storyworks is a women-owned communications agency that’s all about creating authentic, creative, and impactful brand stories. Our goal is to help brands forge genuine, lasting connections with their audiences. We offer everything from strategic communications counsel to content creation, with full-service video production to bring those stories to life.
The reality is that consumers are increasingly seeking transparency from the brands they trust, and we feel storytelling has never been more important. As a documentary filmmaker and communications professional with decades of experience in our fields, we have a natural instinct for capturing the emotions and stories that truly resonate with people. When working with clients, we craft a brand film that becomes the storytelling centerpiece of a campaign, but we can design campaigns to spread even further, into different mediums to reach wider audiences. We make it easy to deploy stories across thought leadership frameworks, PR, social, blogs and other channels.
Our approach is simple: we believe in respect, transparency, and collaboration. We work closely with our clients as partners, making sure every story we tell is one that inspires, connects, and leaves a lasting impact.
How’d you meet your business partner?
We first crossed paths while working on a video production for Honda, and the foreshadowing of our partnership came over a sauerkraut pizza. Filming in Central Ohio, we quickly realized we had similar instincts. As one of us would start to suggest something—whether it was about lighting, background, or another detail—we’d realize the other had the same thought and was already making the adjustments. It was clear early on that we were in sync professionally and shared similar values.
One afternoon, at the recommendation from a local resident, we headed to Pop’s Pizza in the quiet town of East Liberty. It was our first meal together, and while I was tempted to go for the safe pepperoni option, I told Hanh she should choose. Without hesitation, she ordered the sauerkraut and brown sugar pizza and I instantly regretted my decision to defer. But something about her confidence made me trust her, so I went along with it. And, to my surprise, it turned out to be the best pizza I’d ever had. In that moment, I realized: trust Hanh, and she’ll lead you to new, unexpected experiences.
Fast forward three years, and as we walked out of work together one evening, Hanh shared that she was striking out on her own. That sauerkraut and brown sugar pizza moment came rushing back, and without missing a beat, I told her I wanted to be her partner. And here we are today, doing what we love, side by side.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
At the heart of every story we tell is the trust our clients and subjects place in us. They entrust us with their most precious stories, and we hold that responsibility with great care. Our top priority is to share their story in a way that feels both authentic and safe for them.
But there’s more to it. We believe that by telling stories about people—their backgrounds, challenges, triumphs, and everything in between—we can help people feel more connection to others and infuse the world with a little more empathy and compassion. That’s the core mission behind Embers & Oak Storyworks: to create a more caring and understanding world, one story at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.embersandoakstoryworks.com
- Linkedin: Embers & Oak Storyworks
Image Credits
Derek Baird, Vishal Solanki, Zach Vlasuk