Today we’d like to introduce you to Minju Witte
Minju, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in South Korea and raised in Indiana, where I began my journey as a pianist. My passion for music led me to The Juilliard School for my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, followed by a doctorate in Piano Performance from SUNY-Stony Brook. For over 15 years, I worked as a college professor and performed internationally, dedicating myself to teaching and sharing music.
During the pandemic, I made the life-changing decision to pivot away from academia and pursue my long-held dream of teaching etiquette. I founded Empower Etiquette, a program that blends modern manners with practical skills, focusing on workplace harmony, intercultural understanding, and confidence in social interactions. As a licensed consultant with The Emily Post Institute, I’ve been fortunate to teach diverse groups, from students to corporate professionals, on how to build meaningful relationships through civility and kindness.
This career shift reflects my belief that life is too short to not follow your dreams. Today, I use my voice to teach about human relationships and help others thrive in their personal and professional lives.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has had its challenges, but they’ve shaped my approach to teaching etiquette. From my work as a performer and educator, I learned that a central part of etiquette is the ability to self-regulate emotions and project calm, confident energy. Whether performing on stage or guiding students, I saw firsthand how this skill can transform interactions and build trust.
Now, I teach others how to develop this presence and use it to set boundaries in a way that is both kind and respectful. Etiquette isn’t just about rules; it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued—and that begins with how we manage and present ourselves.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Memory updated
Here’s the revised response:
Empower Etiquette is dedicated to helping people build stronger, more meaningful relationships through modern etiquette. We specialize in business etiquette, social etiquette, and intercultural training, offering private coaching, group workshops, and keynote speaking. Our approach goes beyond what you can learn from etiquette books by focusing on personalized, practical skills that foster confidence, kindness, and respect in real-world scenarios.
In 1-on-1 coaching, I work with clients to assess the energy they bring to professional and personal interactions and guide them in balancing that energy. Coaching is individualized based on each person’s goals and their vision of their best self. From there, I teach etiquette as a tool to support self-regulation and effective communication. While talking about energy may seem abstract at first, it’s remarkable how much of our interactions are influenced by the energy we give and receive.
What sets Empower Etiquette apart is this holistic, personalized approach. At its core, we aim to empower people with the tools to navigate interactions gracefully while staying true to themselves. Whether it’s mastering introductions, refining communication, or navigating cultural differences, we make etiquette practical, meaningful, and transformative.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
One of the things I love most about LA is its rich cultural and artistic scene. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the LA Philharmonic are treasures that always inspire me. I also adore Koreatown—it’s vibrant, full of incredible food. And, of course, the Dodgers hold a special place in my heart as my husband’s favorite baseball team.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.empoweretiquette.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweretiquette/
