The Adventure Begins!

I’m finally starting this journal. I’ve been writing it in my mind almost every night for what feels like forever. It inspires me, I enjoy it, but between lack of time and maybe a bit of fear, I hadn’t taken the leap—until today.

Every day, I read about the importance of building a personal brand and how tying it to its creator can elevate it. I completely agree. But truthfully, I don’t enjoy putting myself out there. Recording videos isn’t for me, and I prefer to keep my personal life private. Maybe it’s fear of being judged, or maybe it’s just part of who I am as an introvert.

Writing, even if it’s no longer trendy, is my favorite way to express myself. It’s an intimate moment: just me, the keyboard, my thoughts, experiences, and emotions shared in silence and peace. It’s a joy.

In this journal, I’ll talk about everything: business topics, dreams, goals, worries, and my daily life. I can’t promise it’ll be boring, but it might not always be linear. I’m a passionate woman with a lot of character, but I’m also sensitive. So depending on my mood, my stress levels, or even my cycle, this journal will likely have a bit of everything. Some days you might love me, and other days maybe not so much. But if it stirs something in you, that’s already enough for me.

     
I’m in Saigon, Vietnam. I arrived a few days ago, and it’s been intense. I’m making significant changes to adapt production to Benibeca’s growth, and it’s not easy. I feel drained—I’ve been working nonstop for over a year with very few breaks.

As for why Vietnam, I chose to produce here seven years ago because I fell in love with the country, its people, and the opportunities it offered. Before that, I worked in southern China, but the sadness I felt in that environment pushed me to seek change. I decided to leave behind the financial benefits and take on a new adventure—one that at least guaranteed me a better quality of life and more joy.

I know many people wonder why I make things so complicated. Wouldn’t it be easier to work with intermediaries? The answer is no. Intermediaries only work if you’re a large company with high volumes and solid contracts. Managing the production chain myself is what makes Benibeca strong and positions it as an internationally growing brand. Let me explain: small businesses can’t afford the minimum production requirements of most factories, they have limited product variety, and they can’t scale securely as demand grows. In my case, beyond designing Benibeca’s entire collection, I handle all our suppliers (some I’ve worked with for over ten years) and oversee every stage of production. This approach reduces costs, improves margins, and minimizes risks.

That said, it’s far from smooth sailing. Right now, I’m dealing with a problem that’s been keeping me up at night. For two years, I worked with a local businesswoman who couldn’t manage her factory. Even though I supported her financially, things didn’t work out, and sadly, some workers weren’t paid. Now I’m reorganizing everything—moving materials, finding new factories, and building a new team. It’s frustrating, exhausting, and heartbreaking.

The bright side is that I’ve found two exceptional Vietnamese women with extensive experience to join the team. Their expertise will help ensure we stay committed to working with local factories.

That’s all for now. I’ll write again in a few days. I hope this first entry was a good start. I know I’ll improve as I go, so I ask for a bit of patience.

If you’d like to ask me anything, I’d be delighted to answer.