We were lucky to catch up with Chau Nguyen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Chau thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

In the winter of 2021, I started making polymer clay earrings as Christmas gifts for friends and family—an outlet, a way to escape and find my inner peace during the hardest time of my life. What began as a simple creative escape soon turned into something more. A dream started forming—one where I could turn this process into something bigger, something that gave me purpose and a future to move toward—a vision of building my own business. Slowly, I started shaping my brand, designing a logo, crafting packaging, and refining my aesthetic.

By the beginning of 2023, I officially launched my Etsy shop, taking my first step into selling online. A few months later, in March 2023, I finally listened to my friends’ advice and started selling at local farmer’s markets and art festivals across Florida. That experience taught me that selling online and selling in-person are two completely different business models.

For local markets, I had to design my booth from scratch, with my dad crafting wooden displays and my mom helping me refine the setup. Florida’s unpredictable weather—wind, rain, and sudden storms—made me rethink my display constantly. Perfecting my setup became a challenge of its own, but with my parents’ support, I kept improving.

A few months later, I launched my own website, klaily.co. While Etsy and markets helped me start, having my own platform gave me full control over my brand and customer experience. Now, my goal is to fully transition to selling online, building a sustainable business that aligns with my long-term vision.

But Klaily is more than just a business—it’s a platform to inspire women, mompreneurs, and artists who dream of building something for themselves. I want to empower those seeking freedom—freedom to express their true selves through art, freedom of time for their families, and financial freedom so they don’t have to struggle paycheck to paycheck. My vision is to grow Klaily into something bigger—not just about creating earrings, but about inspiring and uplifting others to pursue their dreams with confidence and courage.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

What Makes Klaily Unique?

At Klaily, I create handcrafted polymer clay earrings and lightweight threader earrings, blending artistry with meaningful design. Each piece is carefully crafted with high-quality materials, ensuring they are durable, lightweight, and comfortable for everyday wear. But beyond the jewelry itself, Klaily is about storytelling and self-expression—pieces that not only complement an outfit but also resonate with emotions, individuality, and personal journeys.

What sets Klaily apart is the deep emotional connection behind every piece I make. I believe that handmade jewelry carries a unique energy—an extension of the artist’s emotions, creativity, and intention. Unlike mass-produced accessories, each handcrafted piece has its own story, infused with the care and passion that went into creating it. The slight imperfections in handmade jewelry aren’t flaws—they’re unique marks that make each piece one of a kind, a reminder that beauty exists in individuality.

My jewelry is more than just accessories—it’s wearable art, infused with intention and care, meant to bring a deeper sense of meaning and connection to those who wear it.

Who Klaily is For & The Mission

Klaily is for those who appreciate craftsmanship, meaningful design, and quality jewelry. It’s for the dreamers, the creatives, and those who want to express themselves through art. At the heart of Klaily is a mission to inspire and uplift others—to prove that dreams can be built with passion, persistence, and belief in oneself. I hope that through my work, I can encourage others to pursue their creative dreams with confidence and courage.

What I’m Most Proud Of

The biggest achievement isn’t just launching my business—it’s overcoming self-doubt, fear, and negative self-talk. Choosing this path meant silencing doubts, pushing through challenges, and continuously evolving, even when faced with skepticism from those around me. Living with loved ones who didn’t always understand or support my vision meant I couldn’t simply shut out their opinions. Instead, I had to learn to create my own mental space—a place where I could protect my energy, focus on growth, and attract abundance, the right people, and the right opportunities.

My journey has also been deeply shaped by fitness and constant learning—reading books, studying other entrepreneurs, and absorbing knowledge that has strengthened not just my business mindset, but also my discipline, resilience, and focus.

Today, I’m proud of how far Klaily has come, but even more excited about where it’s going. This brand represents creativity, freedom, and the courage to pursue what truly lights you up.

Whether you’re here for the jewelry, the inspiration, or both—I hope Klaily speaks to you in a meaningful way.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In August 2024, I faced one of the biggest turning points in my life—I was laid off from my coding career. It was unexpected, but deep down, I knew it was a sign from the universe telling me, “This is your time. No more waiting, no more testing the waters.”

I had spent years learning and building my skills in tech, working my way up to a manager position, thinking I was following a stable path. And just like that, it was over. But I reminded myself, “The universe has its own way of making our goals happen—sometimes not in the order we planned.” I had manifested that one day, when the timing was right, I would take the leap. And now, that moment had arrived.

Transitioning from the structure and security of a corporate job to the uncertainty of full-time entrepreneurship was terrifying. On top of that, I worried about how my family and loved ones would react, knowing they would encourage me to find another job in tech rather than support my decision to build Klaily full-time.

I had to shift my mindset completely—learning how to turn creativity into a sustainable income, manage finances, and market my brand strategically. I poured myself into growing Klaily, focusing on building my website, refining my branding, and expanding my online presence.

At the same time, I had to overcome fear and self-doubt. Leaving behind a career I had trained for and stepping into the unknown forced me to trust myself in ways I never had before. Fitness and mental strength training became a crucial part of this journey, helping me develop the discipline, resilience, and focus I needed to push through challenges.

Looking back, that layoff wasn’t a setback—it was the push I needed to fully embrace the life I wanted. Klaily is no longer just a side business—it’s my future, my purpose, and my way of creating something meaningful. Losing my job felt like an ending at first, but in reality, it was the beginning of something greater.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There have been several books that have deeply shaped my mindset, entrepreneurial approach, and personal growth, and the best part is—I’ve seen real results from implementing them in my life and business.

One of the most powerful books I’ve read is “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne, which introduced me to the law of attraction and the power of thoughts shaping reality. It reinforced my belief that what we focus on expands, and by shifting my mindset to abundance and gratitude, I’ve been able to attract the right opportunities, people, and energy into my journey.

Another game-changer for me was “The 5 Second Rule” by Mel Robbins. This book helped me break free from overthinking and hesitation—teaching me that taking action within five seconds can change everything. Whether it’s launching a new product, posting content, or making an important decision, this rule has pushed me to act before fear takes over.

“The One Thing” by Gary Keller transformed the way I prioritize my time and energy. As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to feel pulled in a million directions, but this book taught me the power of focus—identifying the one most impactful task that moves everything forward and eliminating distractions. It’s helped me create structure in my business and work smarter, not harder.

“10x Is Easier Than 2x” by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy changed how I approach growth and scaling. It showed me that thinking bigger actually makes things easier because it forces me to let go of what no longer serves me, focus only on high-impact actions, and step into the version of myself that can create massive success.

Lately, I’ve been diving deeper into the works of Dr. Joe Dispenza, especially “Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon” and exploring his workshops on rewiring the mind for success. His teachings on neuroplasticity, energy, and breaking limiting patterns have helped me understand how much of my reality is shaped by my thoughts and emotions.

In addition, books like “Ask Your Guides” and “Trust Your Vibes” by Sonia Choquette have helped me better channel my energy and trust the guidance of the universe. These books have strengthened my ability to tune into intuition, recognize synchronicities, and navigate my path with clarity and trust.

Each of these books has not only shifted my mindset but also had a tangible impact on how I run my business, take action, and stay committed to my vision. I truly believe that the right knowledge, applied consistently, can change everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://klaily.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klaily_earrings/

Image Credits

Briana Smith – [email protected]
Nhan Pham – [email protected]