Rising Stars: Meet Nancy Nguyen of CARY

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Nguyen

Nancy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I wanted to create something for my birthday in 2023 so when I knew the seller of Bee Banhmi wanted to sell it, I asked my partner if she wanted to team up and develop the seller’s dream. My partner said yes and we signed the contract within a week. I bought a one way ticket and landed on RUD airport 2 weeks after that.

I’ve built the restaurant with the idea of it becoming a trusted kitchen for our customers with improvements in ingredient choices, cooking methods and the vibe of the place. Bee Banhmi is becoming a happy place for the Vietnamese food lovers to share not meals, but laughers and happy moments.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Yes, in the way of connecting and building trust with the customers. I believe what comes from a heart will find ways to go to other hearts. We provide fresh ingredients, daily cooking and house made food items in our kitchen for better meals for our customers.

But not really in the way of running a business, especially a restaurant, as a solo entrepreneur. I burned a lot of meat on the grill, dumped a lot of food while learning about the cooling system and paid a lot of money on equipments, trying to find out what are the most efficient work flow. Short staff, or trials of opening Sundays required me to work 14 hours a day for many days.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I was a teacher when I was in Vietnam and decided to be a mentor before moving to North Carolina. I helped people (new Vietnamese immigrants) understand how to invest in real estate by leveraging their income, credit scores and the bank. I had developed an app for better sleep but put it in a halt for building Bee Banhmi.

I am most proud of being a mom of a 23 year old daughter and a 19 year old son. My daughter came to the USA in late 2018 and graduated from the University of WA, and my son came to the USA in 2017 and is in year 3 of The University of Oregon in Computer Science (AI is his major).

My daughter graduated with 3.9/4 GPA and with two majors (interactive design and public relationship). She is now in charge of all social media developments for Bee Banhmi and buying her 1st business. My son plays 5 musical instruments and love doing photography. (The 2nd photo is my son’s)

My mindset and vision are what set me apart from others. I am open-minded, eager to learn new things and success-driven. I have large vision which allows me to draw long term road maps for myself and other people’s future and developments. I don’t mind working hard to build what I need to and sacrifice what are needed for the achievements set. I am willing to build people and enjoy seeing their success.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Lucks don’t have a position in my life and business. I don’t think there are lucks (good or bad). It is about learning the process, skill sets and mindset needed to create the life we want. When it comes to life and business, It is about actions creating outcomes and focus is the key for moving forward to the goals of outcomes.

I always have some goals to work on so I don’t get bored hanging around. Raising my kids is a path of creating outcomes and getting the goals achieved. Each stage of their development is a goal: skill sets need to be acquired, personal developments need to be achieved after primary, middle school, high schools and college. I have to stay focused on those achievements and guided them. I have to choose what school they should be studying at, who would be their friends, how they should act and what values they should stand up for, or when I should be a full-time supporter for them.

Business is my baby to so it has the same goals of thriving and scaling. If I am not focussed to the goals, I will be likely to get distracted and the outcomes may be different from what I aim for.

Pricing:

• $10-$20

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beebanhmi.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beebanhmicary/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeeBanhMi10
• Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/r2r/PLkuvUTgSEyyPTqPKyXORA