Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Nguyen.
Kim, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a mother first. Everything else comes after that.
I came to this country many years ago with my family, like many immigrants, looking for stability and opportunity for my children. I worked hard, saved carefully, and focused on one thing… making sure my children had a chance to build a better life than I did.
When my daughter Karen decided to open her first restaurant, I worried. Not because I didn’t believe in her, but because I knew how difficult this industry is. Still, I trusted her determination. I watched her work long hours, sacrifice her youth, and carry responsibilities most people never see.
When Teaholic was created, I supported from the background. I helped where I could, but I never expected to be involved beyond that. Over time, challenges came… things no one can prepare for. Lawsuits, the pandemic, financial pressure, exhaustion. As a mother, it was painful to watch my child struggle.
When the business reached a breaking point, I stepped in more directly. Not to take control, but to help hold things together. Sometimes a mother does not ask questions, she just shows up.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No. It was very difficult.
Other than the aforementioned lawsuits, the pandemic, financial pressure, exhaustion… there were moments when it felt like everything was working against us. Many nights were spent discussing whether it was time to let go. I could see the toll it was taking on my daughter… emotionally and physically.
But I also saw something important: she had not lost her heart for the community. What she lost was energy and support. That is where family becomes important.
I encouraged her not to quit, but also not to stay stuck. We talked about change, real change — even if it was uncomfortable. As immigrants, we learn early that survival often depends on adapting, not insisting.
Kosmik Fusion came from that mindset.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have never thought of my life in terms of accomplishments or titles. I did not build a career that people would call successful. What I have done is take care of people.
I became a mother very young and raised my children through difficult circumstances. Later, I stayed home to care for a growing family, cooking every day, stretching very little into enough, and making sure everyone was fed and looked after. Food was how I showed love — not professionally, but consistently. I cooked Vietnamese meals for my family, for relatives, and later for elderly family members who depended on me. That became my responsibility, and I carried it quietly.
What I am most proud of is not something that can be measured. It is my compassion, my endurance, and my devotion to my children. I would give everything I have — including everything I saved my entire life — without hesitation if it meant helping them move forward. Even when the odds are high, a mother does not calculate risk the same way. She does what is needed.
What sets me apart is not skill or recognition. It is loyalty, patience, and the willingness to stand behind my family no matter how difficult the situation becomes. I do not lead from the front. I support from behind. And for me, that is enough as my role is to give the next generation a better starting point than I ever had. Everything I do is for that reason — to help my children move forward beyond the limits of an immigrant life and into a future with more opportunity than the one I began with.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I never had the opportunity to find a mentor, and I did not grow up understanding the idea of networking. Life was about responsibility and survival, not connections.
What I learned instead was to keep my door open to people — to help when I could, to listen, and to be sincere. I believe in being genuine and treating others with respect. I also understand that this can sometimes lead to being taken advantage of, and I have experienced that. But I still believe honesty and kindness matter.
Over time, this way of living creates its own foundation. When people see consistency and integrity, trust forms naturally. Relationships grow without being forced, and loyalty develops quietly. If support or connection is ever needed, it comes from mutual respect, not obligation. Like planting a tree, the roots must grow strong before it can stand tall and branch out… trust is the soil that allows those roots to sink in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kosmikfusion.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kosmikfusion
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17NknM36qn/
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/IATs4_YPZ4
