Ms. Corporate America 2011 Nancy Nguyen Education: DePaul University - Charles H. Kellstadt Graduate School of Business - M.B.A.; International Institute of Hair Design - Cosmetology; North Carolina State University - B.A. Spanish Language and Literature Minor: Criminology Platform Issue: Empowering entrepreneurial women throughout the world As a small business owner, MBA, and woman, I share first-hand experiences of being a woman entrepreneur. It is not easy, but this is a wonderful time to create a product or service that can solve a problem. My goal during my reign is to showcase and connect with those women who are creating opportunities for others. I have already started to photograph 101 of my favorite everyday women entrepreneurs. On my first day back to my salon after the pageant, our first client said that she owned a Mexican restaurant in Nigeria! Career Accomplishments: http://www.Linkedin.com/in/nancynguyen I have worked in both the private and public sectors, in a family business, and now as an entrepreneur. As the owner/operator of Sweet T Salon, I have been able to combine my past work experience and MBA to create a new company. Since people call me "sweet" and my middle initial is "T." the salon is called "Sweet T Salon". My goal is to take the company values from Southwest Airlines and Cracker Barrel and create a hybrid model for Sweet T's company values. We are Family Hair with a Southern Flair. Our Mother's Day May 8 regrand opening will bring families and small business owners together to celebrate the launch of this new brand. While I am building this brick and mortar business, I am working with designers, photographers, and other entrepreneurs to help me launch my e-commerce. Overall, my goal is to continue to create jobs and opportunities and to help others do the same. Our small enterprises are responsible for the economic growth in the United States. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?: Chicago. After living in the city for five years, working for the Chicago White Sox and for the City of Chicago as well as making lots of friends during grad school, I fell in love with the city. The mass transit system, the people, and the diverse cultural experience are wonderful. If you could meet anyone in the world, who would they be?: Rachel Ray! We are both in the service industry. Her spunk, style and talents are amazing. Although she lives in NY, her dad is from Louisiana originally, so she's got to have some Southern in her. I love how she is always smiling and cracking jokes. When I am in NY again, I hope I will get to see her. Bill Cowher. He coached with passion throughout his career. I love how he led the Steelers to the Super Bowl with such zest. Hopefully, one day I will have the honor to meet him. After all, we actually both went to NC State, we love the Steelers, and we live in Raleigh. Maybe he will come get haircut at my salon one day? Best advice you have ever been given: Sometimes we catch ourselves complaining about something. One time, one of my business mentors replied to one of my text messages, "It's always an opportunity." When things get tough, I try re-evaluating the situation by making it better, a learning opportunity, or a chance to show my strengths. Who is your role model and why?: Mom! She arrived to America with a baby (me) and a little red, plaid suitcase. She struggled with poverty, adversity, and other challenges that come with arriving in a new country. After years of working in factories, she paid her way through trade school and opened up her own business. There have been other obstacles she has overcome, but she has put her kids through college and kept herself healthy and happy. No matter how hard she works, she still makes time to ballroom dance. She reminds all of us women to take a moment to take care of ourselves and to follow our passions. Something interesting about you: I once studied abroad in Peru and faced many challenges that included: getting lost; having a roommate who broke her toe; and, running out of money. Luckily, I found my way back, wrapped my roommate's toe up, and was entrepreneurial. Since I did not want to take cash out of my account, I borrowed a hair-cutting cape and shears from a cashier lady at an ice cream shop in Lima, Peru. She happened to tell me that she studied cosmetology. I started cutting hair on my trip throughout Peru and made enough money to eat, shop, and to come back to America. I thanked her after I returned her cape and shears at the end of the trip. Three years later, I walked into her ice cream shop and she gave me the biggest Peruvian hug and kiss! Three words that describe you best: Entrepreneurial, Resilient, Congenial Favorite Book: The Professional Communications Toolkit by Dr. Joel Whalen. He has been called The World's Foremost Authority on Business Communication and I had the honor to have him as my professor. Dr. Whalen has an amazing and engaging personality and he has coached many of us to effectively write and deliver e-mails, "Thank You" letters and speeches. My mentor David Culver, CEO of Mentor Mastermind, recommended Ready, Fire, Aim, by Michael Masterson, to me. THIS is the book that has helped me confidentially make the jump as an entrepreneur. I cannot thank Dave enough for suggesting this book because it has helped me avoid costly startup mistakes. Favorite TV Show: Honestly, I have not had a TV since I started grad school in 2007. I find that I can multitask better by listening to the radio. However, I love watching sports, cop shows, and the any Spanish channel. Favorite Food: Anything homemade - especially Southern, Vietnamese, Japanese, Peruvian, or Italian, though the list could go on... I LOVE to try new foods. Favorite Sport: As an ex-high school cheerleader, I love football. I am a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan. I almost went to grad school in Pittsburgh while coach Cowher was there and would have loved it. Steelers fans have this amazing connection. If I could afford it, I'd wear Steelers’ gear ever day. Hats off to the Chicago White Sox (2005 World Series Champions). Since working for the White Sox for two seasons, I love the whole White Sox family that includes the grounds crew, ticket office, Sportservice, Levy, At Your Service, security, and everyone else. Last year, Mr. Jerry Reindsdorf, Owner, kindly shared his time with our DePaul business students. The year before, Brooks Boyer, VP of Marketing, shared his time by telling us his story. This year, Rick Hahn, Vice President, has agreed to share his time with our DePaul business students. I love how the White Sox organization is constantly involved with the students within the Chicago community. GO SOX!
Advertise Your Business  |  Pay Contestant Fees  |  Contact Us Ms. Corporate America and Mrs. Corporate America are trademarks of the Ms./Mrs. Corporate America Organization ©2012