Who is Gia Huynh and what is Silky Gem?

Gia Huynh is the founder of Silky Gem, an online candy company known for its handmade crystal-like confections.

What challenges did Gia Huynh face before starting her business?

Before founding Silky Gem, Gia Huynh immigrated from Vietnam, worked long hours, and experienced homelessness, living out of her car.

How successful is Gia Huynh's candy business, Silky Gem?

Silky Gem achieved significant success, earning over $9 million in revenue in 2024.

Home / Business and Economy / From Homelessness to $9M Candy Empire

From Homelessness to $9M Candy Empire

7 Jan

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Summary

Immigrant worked 14-hour days after arriving in the US.
Founder experienced homelessness, living in her car.
Her candy business earned over $9 million in 2024.

Gia Huynh's journey from adversity to entrepreneurial triumph is a remarkable tale of resilience. Arriving in the United States from Vietnam in 2016 with minimal resources, she dedicated herself to survival, working 14-hour days in nail salons for years. During this challenging period, Huynh faced homelessness, relying on her car as shelter while raising her infant son.

Her perseverance led to the founding of Silky Gem, an online confectionary business renowned for its unique, crystal-like candies, known as 'kohakutou' in Japan and 'mứt rau câu' in Vietnam. This venture has blossomed into a significant enterprise, demonstrating a powerful comeback against daunting odds.

By 2024, Silky Gem had achieved substantial financial success, generating over $9 million in revenue. Huynh's story highlights the incredible potential of immigrant entrepreneurship and serves as an inspiring example of overcoming profound challenges to build a thriving business.