Like the old time tale about carp turning into dragon must cross the gate of heaven, Ly Nha Ky opens up to us about her “rough but worthy” journey to success.
This year 2017 marks the 10th year of Lynk Group, the President – Actress and Businesswoman Ly Nha Ky recalls her rough and humble start.
Although the name Ly Nha Ky nowadays represents a woman of diamond accessories, 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, it began shifting into the diamond and luxurious jewelries business, with ambition to be the sole distributor internationally for many of Viet Nam most prestigious brands.
To Ly Nha Ky, the only way to make partnerships was experiences from previous contracts,
as well as ability to be the sole distributor of a luxurious brand.
Talking about her bold decision to enter this deluxe market, she openly shared: “I find much joy in overcoming challenges, I am a carp with a burning passion to turn into dragon and cross over that heavenly gate, I am the one who always swim against the current. And to me the harder the challenger, 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 in 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, and dedicated admirer of 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 may 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 companies. Only the ones with great visions, who don't hesitate to make move even before the trend will be the ones that gain control over the market”.
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“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 of distribution to a beginner”. |
According to her, many Vietnamese people is used to the common ways when buying jewelries, they always want high resale value and thus prefer the traditional retailers. 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 of a piece as well as the story behind.
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“A woman at the age 29, who is well equipped by knowledge about jewelries, and has inspired many artists to create more and more accessories collections for the Vietnam market”, Ly Nha Ky shares to us about her ambition. |
“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 complete one’s look rather than just an embodiment of money. Many of our customer has 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)”.
When first venturing in this deluxe business, Ly Nha Ky was only 29, too young comparing to many others investors. At that time, she constantly had to be in Europe mostly France, Italy, and Switzerland to make partnership.
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When being asked about choosing fame or money, she clearly made her mind: “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 principles in business.” |
“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 arrive. 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 cooperations 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,” Ly Nha Ky gladly shares her start up story.
After 10 years in business, Ly Nha Ky has plans to expand her brand onto international platform by investing in films and entertainments, and perhaps the medical field in the near future.
Mai Mai
