Today we’d like to introduce you to Mai Tran
Hi Mai, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Vietnam and grew up in Orange County from the age of four. My parents came to America with no money and without speaking a word of English. Through their hard work and determination, they were able to support five children while working multiple jobs. After a few years, they managed to open their own business in the clothing industry, which is where my love for creativity began.
From a very young age, I always said I wanted to be a designer when I grew up. After mastering sewing and learning about the industry, my family and I started a clothing brand in the late 90s. The fashion industry was cutthroat and extremely fast-paced, which helped me build the strength to overcome any challenges that came my way.
A few years after opening the clothing business, my parents also opened a struggling Chinese restaurant. I remember them using the profits from the clothing business to keep the restaurant afloat. No matter how tough things got, my parents refused to give up. Long story short, the restaurant ended up thriving, while the clothing business became difficult to sustain after 9/11. We eventually closed the clothing business to focus on the restaurant.
In 2015, we were given the opportunity to open a coffee shop on Google’s campus in Irvine. Although this was a new concept for us, we saw it as a great opportunity to introduce our take on Vietnamese coffee to the community. We never imagined that our office-amenity coffee shop would grow into 11 locations today. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us throughout our journey.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting any business comes with its own set of challenges. Callouts and turnover were common in daily operations, and these issues became more frequent as we opened more locations. On top of running the business, my husband and I were always on call for all the stores, ready to help with coverage on the floor. Staffing has been even more challenging since COVID, but we are very blessed to have such an amazing team that truly cares.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Blk Dot Coffee?
Blk Dot Coffee is renowned for our Vietnamese coffee and our unique variations, which we call VTM coffee. We also offer a variety of distinctive coffees and teas that are highly caffeinated, ranging from espresso to teapresso. Our customers often refer to our coffee as “crack in a cup” because of its strength. Our teapresso, recently launched at our newer locations, involves steeping and extracting tea fresh per cup using a teapresso machine. This process results in a stronger, bolder, and more refreshing taste.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe that grit and grind have gotten me this far. My parents have shown me that through hard work and relentless effort, you can achieve any goal in life. It may take time, but the journey and self-growth are well worth it. My favorite quote is, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blkdotcoffee.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blkdotcoffee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blkdotcoffeeshop/
- Twitter: blkdotcoffee
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/blk-dot-coffee-irvine-6?osq=blk+dot+coffee
