We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Thanh Nguyen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Thanh below.
Hi Thanh, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
As a business owner, it’s easy to burn the candle at both ends juggling multiple responsibilities, which can lead to burnout if not managed well. Taking care of oneself is crucial for leading a productive and successful life. In my opinion, self-care starts with the mind – keeping it positive is imperative. While overthinking can be both a strength and a weakness, it’s essential to set boundaries and prioritize things that add value to our lives. Overthinking can be helpful in work and business for strategizing and problem-solving, paying attention to detail, and stimulating creativity, but it may not be helpful in our personal lives as it takes up a lot of our time and energy, which can prevent us from making decisions in other areas of life. As I write this article, I’m finding myself overthinking it…
I believe that if you don’t take care of yourself, you cannot take care of anyone or anything. Self-care comes in many forms, and for me, making candles is one of them. I practice self-reflection, meditation, light candles, listen to music, read books, exercise, travel, eat healthily, and get enough sleep. This is a daily challenge for me, but being selective and intentional with my time and energy has helped me become more productive and health-conscious in all aspects of life.
How we practice self-care by what we allow into our lives reflects in our home. My business mission is to spark enchantment in our lives and homes by providing high-quality products that promote a clean and healthy lifestyle.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I started my luxury candle business, Enchand Maison, about three years ago during the pandemic as a hobby. It all began when I discovered a crackling wooden wick candle and started making candles as gifts for friends. From there, my passion grew and I found myself starting a business. Despite not initially planning to make candles, I enjoy owning my business because it allows me to connect with people and express my creativity, such as through implementing storytelling in my photoshoot campaigns. I believe that when you find your purpose and do what you love, success comes easier.
My candles have a crackling wooden wick and are made from non-toxic, natural coconut soy beeswax, which is a sustainable material. I use high-quality ingredients and materials, even if it costs more because I believe in the benefits of long-term clean living. Many candles on the market contain harmful chemicals, such as paraffin, paraben, and phthalates, that we breathe in. I hope to help educate people about this issue. This year, I launched a new luxurious organic coconut oil fragrance roller, called “L’Euphorie”, which smells amazing and is perfect for those who have sensitivity to perfume sprays that contain alcohol.
I am partnering with Kuwento Co., a publishing company, to curate candle creative writing workshops, and with the Houston Botanic Gardens to host an educational panel about the benefits of clean candles and the dangers of toxic candles on the market. I have several new projects in the works for the new year. My goal for the future is to expand my business beyond candles and venture into other home goods.
My candles are available to purchase on my website, as well as at Chappell Hill Lavender Farm in Brenham, Local Foods, and Fiora’s Bottleshop in Houston. Additionally, I participate in pop-up markets alongside local businesses.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that have been most impactful and useful in my journey are creativity, consistency, and networking. In today’s competitive market, it is essential to strategize, perform market research, and promote your business through diverse channels. There will be moments when you may become discouraged when things don’t work out as you expect, but it’s important to keep improving by staying up-to-date with industry trends and being open-minded in the ever-changing business world. My advice would be to stay true to your purpose, know your audience, and never stop learning.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Whenever I begin to feel overwhelmed, I pause for a moment and acknowledge my emotions. Then, I take several deep breaths in and out to calm down. Additionally, I make a list of all the tasks that need to be completed and prioritize the most important ones. I tackle each task one at a time, focusing solely on it until it’s completed before moving on to the next one.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.enchandmaison.com
- Instagram: @enchandmaison
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/enchandmaison
Image Credits
Chris Castillo @youngpilgrimfilms Jorge Arturo Valencia @modern_valencia Amanda Nguyen @mandngu_
