Originally from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Nhu Tran had previously dedicated her life to work and hit many career milestones. However, she was ready for a change. She wanted to bring her children somewhere new and exciting. Her friends had previously been to PEI and mentioned that the island is beautiful and peaceful, which is precisely the change Nhu was looking for. When Nhu came to PEI in 2019, she grew a bond with this place fairly quickly and knew it was the right decision for her and her family.
It was always Nhu’s dream to open a store to sell environmentally sustainable, natural products. In July 2020, during the midst of the pandemic, Nhu opened her store Ann Wellness in Downtown Charlottetown.
Nhu sells all-natural beauty, skincare and wellness products with a new line of products that will be available in her store very soon. She brings in products that match the islanders’ needs. Nhu chose to open this store as these are healthier for the consumers and the planet. When people opt to use natural products instead of commercial products, they can feel like they are improving their health and well-being and contributing to saving the environment.
“Everyone can come to my shop to buy natural products, and they do not have to worry about quality. I use every product I sell in my store for my own family. So, whenever I stock products in my store, my top priority is their quality and health/wellness benefits”, says Nhu.
Nhu has extensive experience working in marketing. She says, “I have worked with many inspirational leaders, who were very cautious when choosing products for their families. They always picked the healthiest options for their well-being. That inspired me because of how energetic and healthy their lifestyles were. Combining my passion for natural products and seeing how there is a growing demand for it in the market, I decided to turn this into my career.”
Nhu says that PEI Connectors has been very helpful in her journey of establishing her business. Her Program Officer, Ali Siadat, introduced her to the local business community and helped her expand her professional network. During the pandemic, he gave her valuable information and worked with her during those challenging times.
Nhu ends her story by sharing her final thoughts, “It is tough to start a business in a new place. It is even tougher to build a store with unique items that does not carry as many varieties as other stores do. I think it is crucial to be resilient and build trust with the customers. The important thing is to find the right direction and everything else will fall into place. I have faced many challenges and have changed my approach to dealing with situations a couple of times. It is good to adapt and adhere to situations when needed, especially when running a business. Even though there are many other more stable opportunities around, I am keen on running my business as it is my true, utmost passion.”
Be sure to visit Ann Wellness, located at 119 Kent St, Unit 05, Charlottetown, PE C1A 1N3.