Our colors paints Katalon

“Hi, this is Huy Tieu, Senior Product Manager - AI Advocate at Katalon.

When I reflect on my year-long journey here, I see it painted in vibrant strokes of yellow - the color of creative sparks igniting in brainstorming sessions, and of the infectious energy that pulses through our AI initiatives.

Yello isn't just a color to me, it's my working philosophy. It's the quick flash of an idea during a morning standup, the energized discussions with stakeholders from engineering to product to sales, and the creative solutions we craft when conventional approaches fall short. My colleagues often joke that I move at the speed of light  - perhaps that's why yellow, the color of lightning and illumination, feels so fitting.

Leading AI initiatives at Katalon has been like conducting an orchestra of possibilities. Each collaboration brings a new shade of yellow to the canvas - from the soft buttery hues of early morning strategy sessions to the bold, electric yellows of breakthrough moments when our AI solutions click perfectly into place. The beauty lies not just in the technology we're building, but in how we're building it together, across teams and perspectives.

What keeps my yellow burning bright is a simple truth: work should spark joy. When you're solving real problems for real users, when you're pushing the boundaries of what testing automation can achieve with AI, when you're part of a team that celebrates both the journey and the destination - that's when work transcends routine and becomes adventure.

🌈🌈🌈

"Hello, I’m Kalyan from the Product Marketing team. I didn’t follow a straight line. I followed my curiosity.

I started my career as a Software Engineer more than a decade ago. I enjoyed building things that users could use. But something felt off. While I enjoyed what I was doing, deep down, I didn’t just want to maintain and enhance an application. I wanted to understand how users benefited from what we built.

That thinking led me into doing my masters, where I unknowingly realized my interest in Marketing, in telling stories, in writing. That shift brought me into Product Marketing.

Fast forward a few years, I came across a LinkedIn post by Derek Weeks, CMO at Katalon. The team was hiring. I took a shot and messaged him. That led to a conversation with Lucio, who would become my manager. And just like that, I was stepping into Katalon, a company and product I’d known from the outside, now becoming my inside world.

While I had worked with global teams before, not in a remote setup like this. With leadership and teams in the U.S. and Vietnam, and me working from India. I had no idea how to navigate the cultural nuances of working with the Vietnamese team, all the more, remotely. I tend to keep to myself, and in the early days, that made things harder. Honestly, I overthought each message. I under-communicated. I hesitated to speak up.

But then the right people showed up. Lucio gave me space and trust I needed to move forward. Then on a couple of visits to Vietnam, I finally met the people I’d only seen on Google Meet and Zoom. The warmth and the support felt nice and gave me reassurance that I belong here.

I’m still learning. Still figuring out things every day. And the team here gives me the room to evolve.

Today, looking back, I believe I’m a painting that is a work in progress. The one thing I’ve learned is that you don’t have to scientifically choose your colors. They just need to blend together and paint a real picture. For me, it’s red for the spark, black for the pauses, and blue for belonging. By the way, all three, my favorite colors."

“Hi, I’m Tran from the Sales team at Katalon.

That question took me back a few years, to when I made a bold decision to leave my hometown, Da Nang, and move to Ho Chi Minh City. I had imagined this city as a dreamy land, full of opportunities and exciting things. But when I arrived, I felt completely lost. I didn’t know anyone, and I kept asking myself: “Why did I move? What am I doing here?”

Then one day, I came across a Vietcetera podcast where Daisy Hoang, VP of Sales & Success at Katalon, talked about SaaS - and that’s when Katalon caught my attention. I was curious and decided to apply, even though I didn’t think I had enough experience. But Antoine, my first manager, saw something in me and gave me a chance. That one “yes” changed my life.

At first, I was still quiet, shy, and often intimidated by how talented everyone around me seemed. But step by step, I started showing up. Outside of work, I joined team activities like charity events, cycling, badminton, and swimming with fellow Katalians. Through these moments, I found connection, community, and confidence. Oh, and with the company’s support - the annual Professional Development Budget - I explored courses in writing, storytelling, AI, or data analytics - things I never imagined myself trying.

I began to discover what truly excites me: learning, connecting with people, and growing through new experiences. That’s when Saigon, with Katalon, started to feel like home.

Looking back now, my journey feels like it’s been painted in bold, beautiful colors. What once felt gray and uncertain has become vibrant, dynamic, and full of life, thanks to Katalon and the people I’ve met here.

I hope that by sharing my story, someone else out there who feels unsure or stuck will feel encouraged to take the first step - to try something new, follow your curiosity, and begin painting your own colorful journey. Let your colors shine where they truly belong!”