We were lucky to catch up with Chau Nguyen recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chau, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
It’s definitely been a lonely journey at times—especially as someone who chose a path that many people around me didn’t fully understand. I come from a traditional Vietnamese background where pursuing art or handmade crafts isn’t often seen as a “real” career unless you’re extraordinarily gifted. So when I left my stable tech job to build Klaily—my handmade jewelry business—I often found myself surrounded by love, but not by people who shared my vision.
Being the only one in the room meant I had to build my own room, in a way. I didn’t have access to an in-person community of mentors or entrepreneurs, so I turned to books, podcasts, and online interviews as my teachers and motivators. Books like The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza, and Destiny of Souls by Michael Newton helped me ground myself in mindset and purpose. I also constantly learn through podcasts like On Purpose by Jay Shetty and The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes.
People often say success comes from surrounding yourself with those who are further ahead than you. But I’m constantly at home crafting. My daily circle includes my retired parents and my young daughter. So I had to find alternative ways to grow. I turned inward. I built discipline and self-trust. I stayed consistent. And I created the kind of success I wanted to see—not just for myself, but to show my daughter that you can lead with both creativity and courage.
Being the only one in the room has made me resourceful, grounded, and mentally strong. It’s taught me how to lead with vision, even when no one else can see it yet.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m Chau Nguyen, founder of Klaily, a handmade polymer clay earring brand rooted in something I call my “calling.” I discovered polymer clay during a challenging season in my life, and it quickly became a source of healing. What started as simply playing with clay turned into a deep creative process—one that allowed me to reconnect with myself and rebuild from the inside out.
Each piece I make is handcrafted with love and curiosity. I use lightweight materials like polymer clay and resin to bring the designs in my mind to life. I’m especially known for my ear threaders, often featuring marbled patterns that mimic natural gems—or sometimes, just carry their own one-of-a-kind beauty.
What’s most special about Klaily is that it’s not just a jewelry brand—it’s a reminder that creativity can be a lifeline. Many of my customers have told me they feel connected to my story and inspired by my passion, which is the greatest gift I could ask for.
Recently, I launched the third version of my online shop at klaily.co to reflect all the designs I’ve shared at local pop-up markets. My focus now is to fully transition into selling online, with the bigger vision of creating true freedom of time and space—to live a life where I can work from anywhere, be present with my family, and still grow something meaningful.
One of the most rewarding parts of what I do is custom work. I design and create my own clay cutters, which allows me to sculpt pieces that carry deep meaning for my customers. Being able to turn someone’s vision into wearable art is something I never take for granted.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Prioritizing my health
Your body is the foundation for everything you want to create. I’ve learned—sometimes the hard way—that no amount of passion or ambition can replace rest, proper nutrition, and movement. When I don’t take care of myself, it shows in my energy, my creativity, and my confidence. It creates a ripple effect: burnout, self-doubt, fear, and limiting beliefs creep in easily. But when I treat my health like a priority—eating nourishing food, exercising regularly, sleeping 6–8 hours a night—I move through each day with more clarity, drive, and joy.
Advice: Don’t treat self-care like a reward—make it your baseline. You are your most valuable asset.
2. Persistence
There were many moments when things felt unclear, slow, or even pointless. But persistence kept me going. Sometimes the only thing you can do is keep showing up. Even when you don’t see the results yet, even when no one understands your vision—you have to believe in it. Keep the faith, and keep moving forward, one small step at a time.
Advice: Don’t wait for motivation. Build habits. Trust that the work will compound, even when you can’t see it yet.
3. Always keep learning
I believe we’re in a golden age where knowledge is more accessible than ever. I turned to books, podcasts, and interviews to guide me when I had no one around me who shared my path. Authors and speakers like Dr. Joe Dispenza, Rhonda Byrne, Jay Shetty, and Lewis Howes became mentors to me, and I absorbed their lessons like fuel. Even now, I continue to study while I work—listening to audiobooks or learning from other creatives.
Advice: Feed your mind like you feed your body. Every hour spent learning something meaningful compounds your growth. Be intentional with your time—trade one hour of scrolling for one hour of insight, and watch your path shift.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
In 2021, when my daughter was just six months old, I was going through a very tough season—a major shift in my relationship and a complete career change. That’s when my parents made the incredible decision to leave their home in Vietnam and come live with me in the U.S. to help me rebuild my life from the ground up.
They supported me in every way possible—cooking nutritious meals every day to help restore my health, giving me the time and space to exercise and heal, and watching my daughter while I went through an intense tech bootcamp. That allowed me to land a job in the tech industry and also nurture my creative dream—Klaily—on the side.
Even though they don’t fully share my vision for Klaily, they’ve shown their support through action. They’ve helped me build every part of it: from constructing my pop-up shop displays and checkout stands, to helping me assemble earrings, apply resin coatings, package online orders, and even hand-stamp every box and bag.
Their quiet, steady love is behind everything I’ve built. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their selflessness, and I carry that gratitude in everything I create.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://klaily.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klaily_earrings/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/klaily.earrings
Image Credits
Nhan Pham
Briana Smith
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
