Meet Tran Dang | Small Business Owner at Eunoia Blooms

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tran Dang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tran, how do you think about risk?
My parents gave up their house, their career, their family and friends, and everything safe and familiar to provide more opportunities for my brother and me. I didn’t think too much about it when I was younger because they made it seem so effortless. All I had to worry about was going to school, eating my meals, and hanging out with friends. Now that I am an adult and having to experience life myself, I admire my parents for their love and courage in moving to a completely new country to start all over again with barely anything.

As a daughter of an immigrant family, my whole life involves risk-taking. Having to learn a new language, culture, and lifestyle was more terrifying than enjoyable initially. I remember crying each day attending school because I was afraid of everything and everyone. It was terrible until I realized how far I’ve come.

There was this switch in my mind! I started to enjoy exploring new things instead of being afraid of them. Trust me, I still hesitate to take risks. It’s not something you get over and never deal with again. When I feel afraid, I think of the opportunities and discoveries I get to experience. It’s true when they say ‘you never know until you try.’ Why sit there and continue to wonder how life could go one way or another? I can keep planning for the rest of my life just to create the illusion of feeling ready, but I will never know until I take the risk and take action. That’s one of the reasons why Eunoia Blooms happened.

Starting a flower business has been on my mind for years, but I was too afraid to actually start. Running a business? Designing flowers? What do I know? Am I capable? What if I fail? How will people view me? These limiting thoughts held me back until I reminded myself that I can talk about my plans all day, but it’s still just a plan if I don’t take action.

You don’t know until you try. And once you try, you gain valuable insights. You’ll know what you want and what you don’t want. You’ll learn what’s working and what’s not working. You’ll make mistakes and you’ll learn from them. It’s incredible what we are all capable of doing!

After a year of starting Eunoia Blooms, I am still learning and developing the business structure, designing process, client service, and more. Do I still doubt my ability and wonder if this was the right move? Yes, but it’s all worth the risk to me because I am the happiest now than I ever was.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I started Eunoia Blooms based on the feeling of goodwill. When you gift someone flowers, you are thinking of them. When you receive flowers, you know the giver is thinking of you. Regardless of whether you are the giver or the recipient, everyone feels good. That’s what ‘eunoia’ represents. It’s a Greek word meaning beautiful thinking, embodying the idea of a mind with positive thoughts, kindness, and care for the well-being of others. Eunoia Blooms is about the people and the community we build through sharing the beauty of the designed blooms.

The business is a commitment to myself and a reminder for me to do the things I love while sharing that love with others. It is a challenge to run a business as someone with zero business background. Even a year later, I am still figuring out ways I can organize the business process, market the services, gain design experience, and more. Regardless of the challenges, each day is a learning opportunity. Trying a new program and don’t like it? Find another one. Putting out an ad that isn’t getting you new clients? Work on a new ad. Testing a design method and it’s not secure? Try a new method.

Eunoia Blooms was born from love and kindness, and these values are tied into every aspect of the business. As challenging as it gets on some days, it’s worth it when I see people’s positive reactions to the floral designs. Their smiles and joy are my reminder to keep going and doing what I love.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love love love food and a good experience! Living in SoCal, we have endless food options and beautiful scenery. I’d take people to some of my go-to restaurants with delicious dishes and aesthetic atmosphere (for their IG posts, of course). Besides food, I’d take them to watch the sunset at the beach. We have beautiful beaches here in SoCal. Did you even go to SoCal if you didn’t visit the beach?

But if it’s for my best friend, here’s what my itinerary for her would look like!
Saturday:
– Lunch at Nep Cafe
– Coffee at Contra and walk around Old Towne Orange
– Street tacos for dinner
– Dancing and singing at a concert of an artist we both like!

Sunday:
– Coffee from Sip Coffee and Goods
– Lunch picnic at Salt Creek Beach and watch the sunset
– Dinner at Boiling Crab because she loves a good Cajun seafood boil
– Late-night boba session (she’d get a Thai tea with boba)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family, my friends, and my mentors.

I am who I am today because of their love and encouragement. I have endless ideas and compelling things I want to do in life. Instead of doubting me like I would doubt myself, they all believe in me and trust my ability to live the life I want. When I shared my plans after leaving my full-time position, they told me they’re not worried because they know I am capable and that I will figure it out. It was incredibly refreshing and encouraging to hear that! Instead of judging and questioning me, they lead with kindness.

All along, they’ve always believed in me. I am beyond grateful to have these beautiful souls in my life. There are days when I am filled with doubts, but I never let them weigh me down because I have such a strong support system.

Their love gives me hope.

Website: https://www.eunoiablooms.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eunoiablooms/

Image Credits
Photos taken by Christian Ramirez.
Photos edited by Tran Dang.