This year July marks the 10th anniversaries of LYNK GROUP. It’s president: actress – businesswoman Ly Nha Ky recalls her rough and humble start with the company.
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Ly Nha Ky: ‘First is dignity and trust, then profit, and last is fame, and those are my motto in business.” |
When reflecting on the journey she has been through, Ly Nha Ky is happy and proud with what has been accomplished.
* The name Ly Nha Ky now stands for diamond and jewelries. Could you share about what motivate you to choose this particular market for your brand?
Ly Nha Ky: Lynk Group was first founded in July 2007 with purposes in real estate consultation, property investment and management, large-scale project management, film investment, jewelries and fashion retailing, and charity investment. Not until 2010, we began to shift our focus into the diamond and luxurious jewelries business, with ambition to be the sole distributor internationally for many of Viet Nam most prestigious brands.
* To be honest and objective here, Viet Nam is very much still a developing country. Our GDP per capita is not that impressive while diamond is a luxurious product. Do you think it is too risky to venture into this business?
Ly Nha Ky: I find much joy in overcoming challenges, like a carp desiring to turn into dragon and cross over that heavenly gate, swimming against the current. And to me the harder the challenges, the better the prize. I have to say I am quite stubborn (smile). When I see a challenge, I also see what could be waiting for me at the end. My step into the diamond business as well as the right to be the sole distributor for my luxurious Vietnamese brands were my way of swimming against the current
As a passionate fan of beauty, a dedicated admirer to diamond and it's worth, a keen businesswoman, and of course as a woman, I think I am the best example for knowing what the ladies want (smile). We, woman, love out accessories. We many not wear make up all the time, but we cannot leave the house without one single piece of accessories.
I am confident about this market in Viet Nam, as it is fresh and widely open for me. If I don't make my move now, it will gradually reach equilibrium point and we could loose our market, this potential market to foreign company. Only the ones with great visions, who don't hesitate to make move even before the trend
* When starting in a completely new section of business like that, what obstacles were hard for you to overcome?
Many Vietnamese people is used to the common ways when buying jewelries, they always want high resale value therefore traditional retailers are preferred. They usually forgot the first and foremost quality of a piece of art, which lies in the design itself.
Tradition customers usually buy a piece to make statements of wealth rather than to enjoy the quality in design. On the other hand, the modern world has considered much value on the design as well as the story behind any pieces of jewelries.
After 10 years developing my business, I am absolutely happy to see my customer getting used to our business style, our services, and enjoy the true qualities of jewelries. They are to complement and to complete one’s look rather than just a embodiment of money. Many of our customers have decided to stay loyal to Lynk and never seek for any other brands and that just make me feel all my hard work has been returned in the most wonderful way (laugh).
* Has the process of making distributing partnership as well as negotiating ever left you with any memorable stories?
When first venturing in the deluxe business, I was only 29, too young comparing to many others investors. At that time, I constantly had to be in Europe mostly France, Italy, and Switzerland to make partnership. I remember one time I was waiting for a partner’s meeting, sitting at the front desk for the longest time. It was so long that I thought they must have neglected me. Finally the secretary showed up and asked me why my boss took so long to be here. She was completely shocked when I told her, “I am the president of Lynk Group.” Traditionally in the world of jewelries, there are only large cooperation with years of experiences and immense financial power, inheritance is also a popular practice, and the company is passed down generations to generations. I was a surprise to them being the president of a brand new distributor at such a young age. It turned out they were waiting also because they thought the actual boss hasn't showed up yet.
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The right jewelry will choose its owner to make her outshine the crowd.
“As the usual saying an outfit is not for everyone, it is even more tough when it comes to jewelries and the right person. The perfect jewelry will choose its owner in regards of context, her style, her personalities, as well as her stories…For some people, they always need a bold, sizeable set of jewelries to complement their looks, while others would only need a bit of a touch to shine and stand out from the rest.” |
And on the negotiating table, I must display myself as a person with deep knowledge about jewelries and their production process. They would never give the right to distribute to a beginner. Lucky for me I was well equipped at the time. A woman at the age 29, who is well equipped by knowledge about jewelries, and has been able to inspire many artists to create more and more accessories collections for the Vietnam market.
* In the next 10 years, do you have any new goal or vision for your company?
For the last 10 years, sustainable growth has always been our focus. Along with that, Lynk is aiming to expand its horizon onto the international platform by investing in films and medical field.
* As a businessperson who has her origin in showbiz, what is more important to you fame or profit?
It would be lying if I said I did not want fame. Fame is my motivation to complete myself every single day. As a businesswoman, I am absolutely carefully in spending and investing, I know the value of money and I am sure I know how to make a profit. First is dignity and trust, then profit, and last is fame, and those are my motto in work.”
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LYNK GROUP never stop moving forward for the better and the brighter
The Investment – Commerce – Service – and Development LYNK GROUP was founded in 2007 by the first Tourism Ambassador of Viet Nam, an accomplished businesswoman, an actress, and a dedicated social worker Ly Nha Ky.
With her experiences and keen business instinct, Ly Nha Ky has developed Lynk Group to be a multi- function company with purposes in Real Estates, Investment Consultancy, Jewel and Fashion, Mass media and Entertainment, Charity and Social Causes, with ambition to become an international and sustainably growing company. |
