Meet Grace Nguyen of LOUPN

Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Nguyen.

Hi Grace, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As the founder of the jewelry brand LOUPN, I really struggled to share myself and represent my own brand publicly — I didn’t feel enough. I felt like I’m not pretty enough, cool enough, or well spoken enough. I thought I didn’t match the aesthetic of the brand I envisioned. So I just kind of hid.

But then I started thinking, how many people think that they’re actually enough? And it gave me the courage to show my face and my struggles in hopes that someone might relate to that and be encouraged, that yes, you are enough.

As a third generation jeweler, I design and curate sterling silver jewelry inspired by my Korean heritage, with messages of resilience and encouragement in each piece. Through my journey with LOUPN, I am learning to become more bold, allowing myself to speak up, and take up space, and love myself more. My hope is that anyone who wears our pieces feel enough, and know that you are worthy of being seen.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life is never a smooth road, but through every challenge, you learn more about yourself and your values. You build resilience. The biggest struggle yet, is losing my co-founder and best friend 5 months ago. Kevin Johnson is the first person I asked to be on my team, even before I knew what LOUPN would become. He designed our logo and branding, and helped me to curate every part of the business. He officially became my co-founder/investor a year after launching the business, and he never failed to believe in me. He is the most resilient person I know, my biggest encourager, and the one who stayed up working with me at 3am.

Although Kevin was born with a congenital heart disease and endured hardship including multiple open heart surgeries, he remained so grateful, bright and strong. The last time I visited him at the hospital in Chicago, a week before his passing, he wanted to work on our About Us page on loupn.com. He was THAT kind of friend and partner.
Kevin’s passing has been devastating, but after 5 months, I’m seeing how he continues to bless me. Grieving his loss took me on a deep healing spiritual journey and I have come out so much lighter, brighter, grateful, and hopeful. Now, Kevin continues to be a true inspiration for LOUPN.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
LOUPN is an inclusive jewelry brand inspired by our Korean heritage, intended to encourage positivity, confidence, and love. We’re known for our clean, timeless designs that can be worn by both men and women. With the philosophy of what goes around comes around, we combine my love of traditional Korean designs and desire to encourage others by creating jewelry that promotes kindness, resilience, and self expression.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Recently, I loved Atomic Habits by James Clear and 10x is easier than 2x.

However, the ultimate resource that help me do my best have been close family and friends who believe in me, hold space for me to process challenges, and hold me accountable. My life coach and friend/sister Adrienne Hsieh, the love of Kevin’s life, has been the greatest gift Kevin left for me as she helps me to process and reframe situations to a more positive and productive mindset.

Pricing:

• Rings: $175-375
• Necklaces: $215-$1125
• Bracelets: $295-525
• Earrings: $105-195

Contact Info:

• Website: https://loupn.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loupn_collection
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loupn.collection
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/loupn
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@loupn/videos

Image Credits
Photographer: Raul Romo
Art director & stylist: Benjamin Holtrop
Models: Sam Hyun, Catherine Kim, Ho Jae Kim