Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lynna Nguyen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lynna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My career started off being in the fashion industry – I worked as a fashion designer and product developer in a corporate setting for a few years before starting my business. I found myself disenchanted with the fashion industry, realizing it lacked the glamour and allure often portrayed. Particularly in my role as a product developer, the dynamics with vendors and manufacturers were disturbingly exploitative. I was instructed by my managers and higher-ups to continually pressure vendors to expedite production, meet deadlines, and reduce costs, even disregarding the tragic incident of a delivery driver losing his life in an accident due to our relentless pursuit of meeting a deadline.

Witnessing the dire conditions of our vendors and manufacturers, and recognizing the misalignment with my personal values, I felt compelled to enact change. Thus, I wanted to create a business with completely different principles. I embarked on establishing a business centered around fair trade practices and ethical sourcing. My aim was to curate a diverse range of exquisite, handmade, and premium quality products, prioritizing ethical standards every step of the way.

Initially, my business predominantly featured fair-trade products, but over time, the spiritual aspect gained significant momentum. This shift underscores a growing need for spiritual support, guidance, and a quest for deeper meaning in people’s lives. Although we’ve transitioned from solely focusing on fair trade items, we remain committed to sourcing our products primarily from local creators and artisans worldwide, prioritizing ethical and sustainable practices wherever feasible. Additionally, we take great pleasure in curating exquisite handcrafted pieces and products from talented artists and small businesses.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Creatures of Whim is a lovingly curated collection of handmade goods, magickal findings, and offerings that support holistic health and spiritual wellness. Our collection includes a diverse array of items such as artisanal crafts, magickal supplies and wellness products, all carefully selected to enhance the spiritual journey and overall well-being of our community. We take pride in sourcing only the highest quality items, ensuring they are made with love and by human hands whenever possible. Each piece in our collection tells a story, embodying the passion and dedication of the creators behind them.

Beyond our collection, Creatures of Whim is dedicated to being a sanctuary for the spiritual community. We strive to provide a sacred environment that serves not only as a resource and gentle guide for those who seek it, but also as a haven where like-minded individuals and soul tribes can connect and network with one another. Our space is designed to foster a sense of belonging and mutual support, encouraging personal growth and spiritual exploration.

We host various events, workshops, and gatherings to nurture this sense of community. From meditation sessions and healing circles to craft workshops and magical community mixers, our events aim to create opportunities for learning, sharing, and connecting. Whether you are just beginning your spiritual journey or are well-versed in the mystical arts, Creatures of Whim welcomes you with open arms.

Our commitment to holistic health and spiritual wellness extends beyond our products and community space. We believe in the importance of sustainability and ethical practices, striving to minimize our environmental footprint and support fair trade. By choosing Creatures of Whim, you are not only embracing a path of spiritual enrichment but also supporting artisans and small businesses that share our values of love, care, and craftsmanship.

Join us at Creatures of Whim and become part of a vibrant, supportive community that celebrates the beauty of handmade goods and the magic of spiritual connection. Together, we can explore the wonders of holistic living and embark on a journey of self-discovery and collective growth.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I discovered that conducting business through the lens of hustle culture is not effective and infuses the business with a desperate, intense energy that doesn’t align with the values I want for my business. This realization led me to unlearn the hustle culture mindset and instead adopt a more balanced approach, emphasizing a healthy work-life balance and “soft” entrepreneurship. This shift has yielded much better results, allowing me to feel happier, more relaxed, and more abundant throughout the process. Moreover, this approach has significantly enhanced my self-worth and self-love, creating a positive and sustainable foundation for my business.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

During the 2020 shutdown and quarantine, I was forced to close my brick-and-mortar business for three months straight. This meant that I was not bringing in any revenue during that period, which caused me to panic and worry that my business would fail. Despite revamping the entire website and making a few small online sales each day, mostly local orders that I delivered myself, I initially fell into a dark hole, feeling helpless and scared.

However, over time, I began to surrender to the situation and affirmed to myself that the Universe would always provide for me, no matter what. I relaxed and trusted that everything would work out in the end. This mindset shift allowed me to let go of the stress and panic. I focused on doing my best with the online shop and maintained a positive attitude.

When we were finally allowed to reopen the business in June 2020, my business started tripling its sales compared to pre-quarantine levels. My intuition was right—everything worked out, and I just needed to trust and stay positive. The whole situation turned out to be a blessing in disguise. From June 2020 onwards, our revenue kept increasing, and the rest is history!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.creaturesofwhim.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopcreaturesofwhim
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creaturesofwhim/

Image Credits

Erika Leigh Moore