We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Diana Nguyen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Diana below.
Diana, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Whenever someone asks me, “Where do you get your resilience from?” I don’t have to look far. My story of resilience is intertwined with the tales of the incredible women who came before me. It’s a tapestry woven with courage, determination, and an unwavering belief in oneself.
I often think of my grandmother. Imagine a woman with 14 children, holding the fort alone while her husband sailed the seas. The chaos, the love, the challenges – every day was a testament to her strength. She didn’t just raise children; she cultivated resilience in each one of them. And as I watched my aunts navigate their worlds, each carrying fragments of my grandmother’s strength, I was unknowingly absorbing lessons of fortitude.
Then there’s my mother. She was a single mother raising me in LA, while also grappling with a new language and a new culture, I watched her transform challenges into stepping stones. From the clamor of factories to the meticulous world of a nail shop, every chapter of her journey was a masterclass in perseverance. Home was the collective support of my aunts, uncles, and of course, my indomitable grandmother.
However, my true test of resilience began when I was kicked out by my step father at 17. That was when I realized the onus of my success was squarely on my shoulders. . But instead of seeing it as a void, I chose to view it as my foundation, my springboard. Drawing from the reservoir of strength passed down to me, I knew that the law of cause and effect would determine my journey. Every action, every choice, every sacrifice I made would shape my destiny. I put myself through college, graduated with 5 offers from the top accounting firms and began my career in finance/tech.
Today, my resilience is more than just a personal trait. It’s a legacy. It’s the wisdom of my grandmother, the grit of my mother, and the courage of my aunts. It’s the conscious choice I make daily to break free from cultural and family patterns, to chart my own path, and to honor the lineage of strong women from whom I’ve inherited this indomitable spirit.
In the end, resilience, for me, is not just about bouncing back. It’s about moving forward, ever aware of the sacrifices of the past and the endless possibilities of the future.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Madison / Savile: More Than Fashion, It’s A Revolution
From the moment I conceived Madison / Savile, I envisioned it as more than just a fashion brand. I sought to craft a narrative that transforms the way we see, celebrate, and empower women. Madison / Savile isn’t just about dressing a woman; it’s about walking beside her through every triumph, challenge, and milestone.
When I named our brand Madison / Savile, it was a deliberate choice. The name encapsulates our foundational goal: to inspire, bolster, and accompany every woman on her unique journey. Our blazers aren’t just garments; they’re a coat of armor, a shield against the world, and a badge of honor, symbolizing all that she embodies.
Every stitch, every design decision, every initiative from our brand echoes this mission. From our proactive community involvement and charitable endeavors uplifting women, to our podcast that voices the myriad stories of remarkable women, we go beyond the fabric. As the saying goes, “the medium is the message,” and for us, the blazer is a means, not an end. Its true value lies in the movement and the meaning it carries.
Earning features in prestigious magazines like Vogue and Vanity Fair was no small feat. As the founder, it fills me with pride. Yet, the cherry on top is taking up the mantle as Chair of the Women’s Business Network of the Beverly Hills Chamber, leading and amplifying the voices of over 80 dynamic women. This is the embodiment of our mission.
At its heart, Los Angeles-based Madison / Savile challenges the conventional. We’ve redefined the iconic women’s blazer, marrying comfort with panache, ethics with aesthetics, and utility with elegance. Imagine a blazer so comfortable it feels like loungewear, yet exudes the aura of sharp work attire – that’s the innovation we bring.
Our signature “Unstoppable and Fierce” collection encapsulates this spirit. Not only does it boast of practical features like wrinkle-resistant, luxurious Japanese stretch fabric, and 5 functional pockets, but each blazer also whispers words of affirmation, sewn into its lining.
And who is the Madison / Savile woman? She’s dynamic, multifaceted, constantly on the move, but always, always stylish. She seeks timeless quality, demands functionality, and craves comfort. In essence, she’s every woman who’s ever felt the weight of the world on her shoulders and chosen to stand tall.Lastly, our commitment extends beyond fashion. Every purchase has a ripple effect, with a portion of the proceeds championing charities that empower women in adversity.
In Madison / Savile, every thread tells a story, every blazer sparks a revolution. We don’t just live our mission, we breathe it. And in doing so, we invite every woman to join us in this transformative journey.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Resilience and perseverance: Resilience and perseverance have allowed me to face the many challenges life has thrown my way; including moving out at seventeen and putting myself through college. At the age of 28, I went through a divorce and left with nothing but the clothes on my back. I mark that time in my life as the beginning of discovering myself. The next big phase for me was taking that leap from the corporate world to become an entrepreneur and launching a company that I’m truly passionate about, that aligns with my purpose.
2. Purpose Driven: I feel my purpose on this earth is to make the world a better place and help others in need. My values of giving back and making a difference have really helped keep me on the path to become an entrepreneur. Even in my corporate career, my drive was to earn money to give back, support my parents and take my mother on holiday. In my mother’s mind, Hawaii exists only on TV and it was my greatest accomplishment to take her for her birthday, to see her take it all in with childlike wonder and happiness.
It is the purpose behind Madison / Savile and the vision of impact I can make that keeps me going.
3. Critical Thinking: I’m a deep thinker and I spend a lot of time thinking about and planning for the future. I was able to utilize and develop these skills during my career as an auditor, consultant and data analyst which allowed me to take the leap to entrepreneurism. For example, when I decided to quit my job to focus on launch, I had to plan out my finances. This included planning my runway. This level of planning made it much easier when I decided to make the change.
Resilience and Perseverance:
Face Challenges Head-On: Understand that every challenge is an opportunity for growth. Don’t shy away from adversity; instead, embrace it as a part of the learning curve.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset: View setbacks as stepping stones, not stumbling blocks. This mindset shift can be crucial for nurturing resilience.
Seek Support: While the journey is personal, remember you don’t have to go it alone. Surround yourself with positive and supportive individuals who can uplift you during challenging times.
Celebrate Small Wins: Every achievement, no matter how minor it may seem, is a testament to your perseverance. Celebrate them to maintain motivation.
Purpose-Driven:
Self-Reflection: Regularly set aside time for introspection. Understand your ‘why’. This will help in anchoring you during uncertain times.
Actively Seek Inspiration: Read stories, listen to podcasts, or watch documentaries that resonate with your purpose. Being continually inspired can reinforce your commitment.
Align Actions with Purpose: Ensure that your daily actions, no matter how small, align with your overarching purpose. This can provide a clear direction and help in decision-making.
Share Your Purpose: Sharing your purpose with others not only keeps you accountable but can also inspire others, creating a ripple effect.
Critical Thinking:
Stay Curious: Always question the status quo. A curious mind can lead to deeper insights and innovative solutions.
Engage in Constructive Debates: Engaging with others, especially those with different viewpoints, can sharpen your critical thinking by exposing you to diverse perspectives.
Visualize Scenarios: Before making decisions, visualize potential outcomes. This will allow you to anticipate challenges and devise strategies to tackle them.
Are you looking for folks to partner or collaborate with? If so, describe the sorts of folks you are looking to collaborate with and how they can connect with you if they are reading this and want to collaborate.
I would love to collaborate with the following:
1. Any complimentary brands to women’s blazers and suits to do a pop up together or an event
2. Boutiques/Retail Stores looking to stock contemporary women’s blazers and suits
3. Artists to collaborate on their artwork on a Madison / Savile piece
4. Influencers that can do UGC, content for trade
5. Stylists that would like to collaborate on style guides, IG live
6. Fashion bloggers
7. Magazine and media partners for special features, advertising campaigns, or collaborations.
Please email info@madisonsavile.com to connect.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.madisonsavile.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madisonsavile/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madisonsavile
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/madison-savile/
Image Credits
Vadella Photography Hanna Baranava The LA Look Soike Photos TrooRa Magazine Ruby Somera
