We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Quang Nghiem a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Quang, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?

One of the best ways we’ve shown customer appreciation at Nomad Boba was when we partnered with Kode, a K-pop dance club from ASU, to host a fundraiser event for their team. We set up a special day where a portion of our sales went toward supporting their club’s activities and performances.

The event brought in a fantastic crowd, Kode’s members, their friends, and other K-pop fans showed up to enjoy our drinks and support the cause. The energy was incredible! We even played K-pop music throughout the day, making the shop feel like a mini celebration. Some members even did an impromptu dance session outside, which created such a fun and vibrant atmosphere.

One of the most memorable moments was when a group of students came up to thank us personally, saying how much it meant to them that a local business was willing to support their passion. They expressed how difficult it can be for student clubs to secure funding, and this event helped ease some of that burden while also giving them a space to connect with the community.

By the end of the day, we raised a solid amount for Kode, and seeing their gratitude made it all worth it. It wasn’t just about the donation, it was about showing that Nomad Boba’s values and supports the communities that support us. The students left not only with drinks in hand but also with a deeper connection to our shop, knowing we truly care about their passions.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Business has been a passion of mine since childhood, and after graduating college, I knew I wanted to start something of my own. While my true interest lies in creating food, I had to make a practical decision given my limited budget and resources. That led me to open a cozy, little boba shop in Tempe, AZ. It’s been an exciting and rewarding start to my entrepreneurial journey, and I’m eager to continue growing and exploring new opportunities in the food and beverage industry.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale at Nomad Boba comes down to creating a positive work culture, showing appreciation, and fostering growth. Open communication and leading by example help build trust, while recognizing achievements, big or small, keeps employees motivated. At Nomad, we are providing learning opportunities, cross-training, and leadership roles ensures team members feel valued and invested in their work. Keeping workloads fair and avoiding burnout is key, as is making work enjoyable through team activities, friendly challenges, and creative input. Setting clear expectations while giving constructive feedback allows employees to grow without fear of harsh criticism. Encouraging team bonding, whether through casual hangouts or team outings, strengthens collaboration and support. Most importantly, being an approachable and fair leader ensures that employees feel heard and respected, leading to a happier team that delivers better service. At Nomad Boba, we’ve seen firsthand how investing in our team’s well-being directly translates into a welcoming and thriving business.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

One of the most effective strategies for growing our clientele at Nomad Boba has been our commitment to making high quality drinks that keep customers coming back and spreading the word. From the beginning, we focused on using premium ingredients, crafting unique and refreshing flavor combinations, and ensuring that every drink is made with care and consistency. When customers experience a drink that’s not only delicious but also thoughtfully made, they naturally want to share it with friends, post about it, and return for more.

Quality speaks for itself, and we’ve seen firsthand how a great product turns first time visitors into regulars. People trust a place that delivers every time, and that trust leads to organic growth through word-of-mouth marketing, social media buzz, and repeat business. We also engage with customers by taking their feedback seriously, refining our menu based on their preferences, and even introducing seasonal or limited-time flavors to keep things exciting.

Ultimately, our strategy has been simple: “let the drinks do the talking”. By prioritizing quality over shortcuts, we’ve built a reputation that attracts new customers while keeping our loyal ones excited to return.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Nomadboba.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomad.boba?igsh=MXd2cjFsNWN4a2Y1MQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15sZyeoqSN/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/vhCmNwY7_w