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

Tran, appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Yes, I am happier as a business owner. One of the proudest moments of my life was when Bobarista, my boba shop in Southeast Houston, opened its doors to customers on August 29, 2019. I felt a great sense of accomplishment! Additionally, I was feeling overwhelmed with the amount of work I was trying to accomplish and was feeling the strain of the responsibility of running a business. Indeed, being a business owner and have the flexibility to set my schedule and do what I love – creating recipes and drinks for my customers. I started Bobarista when I was a junior in college, and it helped me financially through school. But entrepreneurship is only sometimes glamorous and is not without risk. A lot of responsibility falls on my shoulders – financial loss, sales, attracting new customers, managing employees, and burnout. There is always the pressure to make decisions that would affect not only my future but the future of my business. Do I ever wish I had not started my business? Sometimes! But I don’t regret having Bobarista because it has taught me valuable lessons and experiences I could never get from a regular job.

I’m fortunate enough to have a full-time job while also running my business, so I could clearly see the differences between the two. I’m working as a Business Analyst, a 100% remote job that gives me a lot of flexibility than an on-site job. But it still requires me to work on a nine-to-five schedule with the same responsibilities as any other regular job. the insights I have come into is that the difference between a business owner and a full-time employee is responsibilities. As an employee, I’m only accountable for specific job duties, while everything in my business requires my attention. The opportunities between a job role and a business are equal. In the company, I have chances to develop my skills and contribute to achieving the company’s goals. While in Bobarista, I have opportunities to create new recipes or plans to attract customers. In my opinion, one needs to be resilient and dedicated to building a profitable business that stands the test of time.

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

Hello readers! I’m Tran Nguyen, and I’m the proud owner of Bobarista, a small boba shop located in Southeast Houston, Texas. My dream of owning a tapioca store began when I had my first part-time job at a local boba shop, and Bobarista became a reality on August 29, 2019. The idea came to me while visiting my relatives near NASA when we realized there needed to be a better place to get boba drinks nearby. With my family’s help, I could gather the necessary resources to launch Bobarista and provide the community with quality boba, tea, coffee, smoothies, and snacks. “Handcrafted Drinks and Snacks” is our tagline. Bobarista strives to serve natural options. We use real fruits for our drinks and source our ingredients from reliable vendors. Our customers can come to Bobarista for a delicious drink and a snack without driving to Chinatown, which is 30 minutes away. We distinguish ourselves from other establishments by combining excellent ingredients. Additionally, we strive to create a warm and inviting atmosphere at Bobarista, ensuring that our customers feel welcome and appreciated along with quality drinks and exceptional customer service by dedicated staff to every customer. We’re also deeply grateful for the ongoing support of our customers, who provide helpful feedback and recommend Bobarista to others, and return with more orders! I am happy that Bobarista has become a familiar spot for boba lovers in the neighborhood. Therefore, we look forward to continuing to serve the local community for many years to come.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

“Say YES to every opportunity”

Taking on every opportunity that came my way would be the best way to reach my potential and achieve success. It would provide me with new experiences, help me learn and develop, and expose me to different possibilities. Indeed, opportunities take work but rather come and go. When I was told to accept every opportunity my way, I thought I should give it my all and never turn down a chance. But I soon learned that timing and commitment are of utmost importance and that the opportunity that is best suited for me will be available at the right time without having to sacrifice too much or compromise my standards. Accepting every opportunity can lead to burnout, so choosing which ones to pursue is essential.
I learned this lesson through an experience of my own. After graduating from college, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and affected my business. I was then looking for a full-time job and got accepted, but it required relocation. Bobarista had just opened, and I was faced with a tough decision. This opportunity was precious to me, as it was my first job offer after applying to many. Moreover, the job fit my major and had excellent benefits. Even though I was tempted, I respectfully declined the offer. I’m glad I did, as my current job is remote and allows me to manage Bobarista.

In conclusion, it is essential to remember that there will always be more opportunities down the line, and among those, there will be ones designated for us. So, catch the chance at the right time, and only try your best with the ones when you’re ready to commit. Lastly, it is crucial to evaluate opportunities carefully and only accept those aligned with our objectives and beliefs. It has enabled me to concentrate my efforts on projects that are truly meaningful and can make a difference.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I have not been highly engaged in social media personally, but I do understand the importance of social media for small businesses like Bobarista to attract and retain customers. I focus on using Instagram and Facebook as our main gateways. I post pictures of our food and drinks to entice potential customers, and I choose when to promote based on the day, time, and weather. Additionally, we collaborate with local influencers to reach new customers by capitalizing on their followers, who are living in the same city. To maintain our relationship with current customers, I respond to their messages, and comments, and thank them directly when they tag us on social media to show our appreciation.

For those just starting with social media, I advise learning from the internet, even from competitors. Focus on building relationships, engaging with your customers, and providing valuable content that makes your business unique. In addition, do not hesitate to pay for promotion and advertising, and target the right audiences, as I have done so and learned a valuable lesson.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bobarista.us
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobaristaus
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobaristahouston/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bobarista-houston

Image Credits
Multiple credits: IG foodwithtory, IG tees_craving, bobaristaus