We recently connected with Trang Nguyen and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Trang thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
I have been a business owner for about 3-4 years, previously running a small pottery business. As an entrepreneur, I am passionate about choosing projects that excite me, enjoying the flexibility of both time and location. It’s incredibly gratifying to know that every ounce of effort I put in directly benefits me, and every piece of positive feedback is a testament to my hard work.
While financial stability and unwinding after work can be challenging, these are opportunities for growth. The constant presence of work on my mind, whether at night or during holidays, is a common experience even in traditional jobs. It’s essential to recognize the impact I have on those around me and strive for balance.
Despite the occasional difficulties, I truly enjoy being a business owner. Each experience teaches valuable lessons, helping me improve and become more financially stable with each passing year.
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.
I had the exciting opportunity to work in Thailand in Digital Marketing for a Fashion E-commerce company. My business partner, Flore, who shared this journey with me, also dedicated herself to sustainability projects within the fashion industry.
Flore initiated the project to create a product suited for Thailand’s sunny, while also caring for the environment. This led to the inception of our swimwear line, made from recycled plastics.
Purchasing a bikini can often be a challenging experience, with many not offering the right fit or adjustability. Additionally, the fashion industry is known for its environmental impact. We sought to address both issues with our reversible and adjustable swimwear made from recycled materials.
We take immense pride in transforming waste into fashionable items. Our innovative designs allow some tops to be worn up to four different ways, providing versatility, high quality, and timeless comfort. Our mission is to help women find swimwear that fits perfectly and makes a positive environmental impact.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
We began our journey as a swimwear brand, primarily selling in Europe where we encountered the seasonality challenge of our products. To address this, we expanded our line to include seamless yoga wear, which had a substantial minimum order quantity but provided an excellent opportunity to maintain sales during the winter months when swimwear demand was lower.
Throughout this process, we gained valuable insights into our clients’ preferences for yoga wear. However, adjusting our production proved challenging due to the large quantities already produced. Ultimately, we realized that our true passion and strength lay in swimwear. We made the decision to focus exclusively on our core product, embracing our identity as a summer brand despite its seasonal nature.
This experience reaffirmed our commitment to delivering high-quality, versatile swimwear that our customers love, even if it means navigating the ebbs and flows of seasonal demand.
How’d you meet your business partner?
Flore and I first crossed paths at school, sharing mutual friends but not knowing each other well. After I moved to Thailand for work, Flore reached out because she was moving there too, following an opportunity for her boyfriend. I introduced her to my company, and we began working together and eventually became friends.
Six months in, we decided to pursue a side project, meeting every Saturday to work on it. Although it seemed premature since we were already spending a lot of time together, we opted to develop our projects separately. Flore focused on swimwear, while I initially aimed to create a baby clothes brand, which ultimately didn’t materialize. Despite working on separate projects, we constantly brainstormed together.
Two years later, I realized I still wanted to collaborate with Flore. We initially worked on yoga wear, intending it to be a separate venture from Kaly Ora. However, after six months, we officially partnered, and I became the co-founder of Kaly Ora, which now featured both swimwear and yoga wear.
This journey has reinforced our commitment to creating versatile, sustainable fashion, and has strengthened our partnership and friendship.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kalyora.com
- Instagram: @kalyora
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kaly-ora
Image Credits
@Doloresonfilm