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

Hi Helen Hồng , thanks for joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Since my parents fled the Vietnam War as refugees, the responsibility of building generational wealth falls on me. While a regular 9-5 job offers stability, it doesn’t provide the financial freedom I aspire to create for my family. Witnessing my mother’s ownership of a nail salon during my upbringing instilled an entrepreneurial mindset in me from a young age. I appreciate having a firsthand experience of transforming nothing into a thriving success. With that being said, I envision myself not engaging in traditional employment for any ventures I undertake.

Helen Hồng , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello readers! I am Helen Hong Nguyen, a pastry chef currently based in Portland. Following my high school graduation in 2010, I made the decision to move to Portland and enroll in culinary school on my 18th birthday. During that time, my mother was supporting three other siblings, and my father was incarcerated. I wanted to avoid feeling like a burden, so I seized the first opportunity to leave home and pursue my dreams.

To me, food holds a significance beyond mere sustenance. It has the power to bring people together, allowing them to share their culture and heritage in a way that words cannot adequately express. The cakes I create serve as a true reflection of who I am. Incorporating Asian flavor profiles such as mango, coconut, and pandan, I adorn the cakes with various artistic mediums, including fondant, wafer paper, tempered chocolate, and sugar work, which incorporating American-style decorations.

Witnessing my cakes become a part of people’s special occasions brings me genuine fulfillment. Whether it’s an anniversary or a birthday, the cake holds a nostalgic place in people’s hearts.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

It is essential to actively participate in networking events and offer samples of your products at local markets. This approach allows you to receive real-life feedback and personally connect with your community. I strongly believe in supporting small local businesses, especially those owned by people of color (POC), and being mindful of where one’s money is spent, rather than contributing to large corporations that exploit the working class. By staying true to myself and allowing my authentic personality to shine, I have naturally attracted the kind of followers I aim to cultivate. Consequently, these individuals who purchase my products become more than just clients; they become a community that shares the same values and beliefs as I do.

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

In addition to creating custom cakes, I also organize cake decorating classes in the PDX area. One notable class was originally planned to take place on an airplane wing in the midst of a forest, providing a unique outdoor experience. However, due to unforeseen weather conditions, we were unable to decorate on the wing as intended. Nonetheless, my team and I quickly adapted by setting up canopies with tarps and stringing patio lights to create a delightful ambiance beneath the Boeing aircraft. The class proceeded smoothly despite the unexpected change.

Understanding that obstacles and challenges are inevitable doesn’t mean they have to hinder our progress towards achieving our goals. Drawing inspiration from my parents, who have consistently demonstrated adaptability in the face of financial difficulties and language barriers, I have learned to navigate around minor inconveniences and pivot when necessary. Their resilience has taught me that setbacks shouldn’t deter us from pursuing what we have set out to accomplish.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: cakebatch
• Facebook: cakebatch
• Youtube: thecakebatch

Image Credits
location @goodiessnackshop photo credits @pdxploration @ashtynsmiles