Miko Nguyen

I am a second-generation immigrant. 

My parents fled post-war Vietnam in 1983 on banana boats fromNorth Vietnam.They left at night on boats while being chased by the police. The police caught my uncle, who wasthree years old, and he was left alone on the shore in police custody.Their siblings, friends, and parents knew nothing about this plan. For two weeks they drifted at seaand, by some miracle, ended up in Hong Kong, China. There they were placed in reception centers,and my older brother was born in the camp.In 1988, they were put on airplanes without knowing the destination – the plane landed at KemiAirport, where the Finnish Red Cross received the refugees.

I was born in Kemi in 1989. I grew up in Malmi, Helsinki, and spent most of my time in theHakunila–Malmi area. 

I grew up witnessing my father’s heavy use of alcohol and drugs, as well as domestic violence. My mother worked two or three jobs at the same time and was never home. There are five of us siblings, and we practically raised each other. It was routine for us to wash our own laundry, clean, and cookour own meals every day. Sometimes our mother had prepared food before we woke up, so we hadwarm meals ready when we woke up or came home from school. When we woke up, she had alreadyleft for work, and when we went to bed, she came home from work.I completed basic education and high school. Because of my background and my clothes, Iexperienced and witnessed bullying and racism. I wore the same oversized clothes throughout myentire schooling. The same backpacks, jackets, and beanies from first grade until ninth grade. Still, Iliked school and appreciated the clarity of authority that teachers provided. I always respected andlistened to them – they taught me manners and behavior. They also intervened when I was bullied. Athome, my father had absolute authority, and if it wasn’t obeyed, we faced violence. At school, I learnedthat upbringing could also be carried out in a diferent way.

I started my first small business in elementary school by selling noodles to classmates. I understoodthe meaning of trade: buy at price X and sell at price Y to make a profit. I earned well during school, asat that time noodles were not sold on store shelves.I started working at 15, and formally as a salesperson at 18. I have always worked because I’ve alwaysenjoyed working.

I succeeded in sales and at 22 founded my first consulting company. At 23, I was invited to become a Gigantti franchise owner. I was fortunate to be able to take this opportunity without a majorinvestment – through my own work I covered the required “capital.”Thirteen years later, I am still an entrepreneur – running six stores and employing 120 people. 

The largest privately-owned electronics retail chain in Finland. 

Most of the employees are young people. Working with young people comes with challenges, but alsoopportunities. When you see a young person grow with us, move on to new challenges, and succeed intheir career, that for me is a sign of success.Young people today face very diferent challenges than I did in my youth: mental health issues,appearance pressures, and social media. Everything afects everything. I feel that one of my greatest strengths and tools for success is my own history and experience. I cantell my employees that opportunities for success and achievement do exist. It requires perseverance,determination, and also a great deal of luck. But I believe that the more you try, the more likely luckwill find you. It’s also easier for me to discuss their personal challenges because in my youth I saw up close both myown background and those of my friends.

Despite my youth, I am not bitter about my childhood. I am who I am because of my experiences. Ifeel that my experiences have shaped me into who I am today.Each of our lives is unique, and only we can live it.Don’t waste your energy on things you cannot control. People will always talk about you – focus on thethings you can influence.We can always hide behind reasons why we cannot do something or why we cannot succeed. Themoment an excuse is spoken out loud, it gives you validation that failure is acceptable.

Persistent work always produces results – sometimes sooner, sometimes later. 

Kind regards,

Nguyen Miko

Franchise Owner Stores: Gigantti | Porvoo / Salo / Lohja / Järvenpää / Klaukala / KotkaMobile: +358 40 718 0889miko.nguyen@gigantti.fi | w.gigantti.fi