AAPI Women Who Inspire Us: Becky Wu

…if you want to stay in your box, that’s your choice, but there’s a huge world out there for you to explore, both outside ourselves and inside.

How does it feel to be acknowledged as an inspiration to other women?

Umm… unbelievable? I don’t aspire to be an inspiration, but I aspire to be good to others and encourage. All I want is to be of service and pass on what I know to others. 

Who are the women inspiring you today?

One of my friends is fostering to adopt and she’s extremely selfless. She’s single, and she wants to give and provide a place. It’s just a beautiful thing. I surround myself with women who edify others and edify themselves. 

I’m also inspired by trailblazers in the Asian-American community who pave a way and shine a light on who we really are as real people, not the perception that America wants to see. 

Has anything really changed when it comes to inclusion and diversity in casting?

Oh, one hundred percent. Since the #MeToo movement and the new generation, within the past five years but even more now, there’s been a fifty percent increase in diversity and inclusion in my castings. It used to be “let’s have one token ‘ethic’ and the rest white,” and now it’s a lot more even. 

Speaking of casting, you recently celebrated five years with Orange Street Casting –  congrats! As a female AAPI business owner, what is one thing you’ve learned in these past five years?

As an AAPI business owner, I’d say don’t be afraid to not take everything on at once. We take everything on because we’re taught to keep our head down and keep moving forward and not say “no.” So, being able to know my balance and limits and trust myself is important. I’m very confident in who I am in my own skin. So, if I have to say no, I can be confident knowing that I’ve given enough. 

Is there any piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their own business?

When you start your own business, take on as much as you can. You have to do it to understand what your abilities are and to know when you need to scale back or push. But if you allow yourself to say no to certain things, other doors do open.

How do you stay centered when work anxiety comes up?

Focus on the work and ask questions. What do they need? What am I looking for? Have I used all my resources to cover the bases? If I hired someone, what channels would I want them to use to reach out? I don’t leave any stone unturned. Once I’ve exhausted that, most of the time I get an outstanding response. 

You’re a very relational person. What are helpful ways you cultivate growth and set boundaries in relationships?

When I build relationships in casting, I never think “What can this person do for me?” which is actually counterintuitive in this industry. I’ve never worked that way in business, in life, or in friendship. I’ve always looked at it as “What can I do for this person?” I always want to see how I can serve others. I’m interested in who someone is and how they relate to me, our connections, or shared interests. 

Do you have a mantra that gives you life or joy throughout the day?

“He who argues for his limitations gets to keep them” isn’t a mantra, but it’s a quote that has stuck with me. It’s an anonymous quote I heard years ago at an acting class. It means if you want to stay in your box, that’s your choice, but there’s a huge world out there for you to explore, both outside ourselves and inside.

Are there any actors or shows you’re watching right now that we should know about?

I’m a nerd for sci-fi and period pieces, and right now I’m on a Vikings kick. Something about Old England and 800 AD and establishing land and religion – I love it.

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