Born and raised in Vietnam, I escaped by boat in the darkness of night and spent part of my childhood in a Thai refugee camp before coming to the United States. I’m a refugee-turned-entrepreneur, a single mother, and someone who learned early how to stay strong when life feels uncertain.

Born and raised in Vietnam, I escaped by boat in the darkness of night and spent part of my childhood in a Thai refugee camp before coming to the United States. I’m a refugee-turned-entrepreneur, a single mother, and someone who learned early how to stay strong when life feels uncertain.

As a single mom, resilience isn’t a concept—it’s a daily practice. I’ve had to rebuild, adapt, and keep going even when the path forward wasn’t clear. Those experiences shaped how I lead, how I parent, and how I show up in the world.

Growing up, I struggled with severe cystic acne, which deeply impacted my confidence. That challenge later became a turning point. It taught me empathy, patience, and the importance of listening—to my body and to my intuition.

I founded Emani out of lived experience, creating thoughtful solutions for sensitive and hormonally changing skin. My work is grounded in respect for skin biology and the belief that caring for ourselves—especially during life’s toughest seasons—is an act of strength.

My story is about survival, self-trust, and building something meaningful from hardship—while showing my children that resilience, compassion, and courage can turn even the most difficult beginnings into purpose.