Story & Lesson Highlights with Jennifer Nguyen of South Orange County

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jennifer Nguyen . Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Jennifer, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
How addicted they are to our baked mochi! Before we started at the farmers markets here in Tustin, CA I never imagined people would crave our pastries every single week — but wow, I was so wrong. We now have amazing customers who visit us weekly (sometimes even more!) and it truly warms our hearts every time.

The best part? Our customers aren’t just regulars, they’ve become friends and ohana. They’re some of the kindest, most supportive, and genuinely fun people I’ve met. Seeing familiar faces (and new ones) each week reminds me why we do what we do — to spread a little sweetness and aloha with every bite. We’re beyond grateful for this sweet little community we’ve built together.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Jennifer Nguyen, owner and founder of a small-batch baked mochi business inspired by Hawaiian butter mochi, infused with Asian flavors, and reimagined with a twist of classic American desserts. I started this journey during the height of the pandemic — not just out of passion, but out of necessity.

Like many families, we were hit hard. My husband went from working full-time to just one or two days a week, depending on business needs. I was unemployed, and within a few months, we were using our savings just to get by. Baking became more than a creative outlet — it became our lifeline. With no culinary training, I began experimenting with the comforting flavors I grew up with, blending cultural influences and nostalgic treats into something new and deeply personal. What started in our home kitchen as a way to support our family quickly turned into a growing business fueled by community support, resilience, and love. Today, every bite of our mochi tells a story — of survival, heritage, and sweet reinvention.

At Mochimas, all of our baked goods are made from scratch in small batches. Everything is gluten-free and nut-free, with select vegan options available. Our menu includes a rotating lineup of mochi-based treats like mochi tarts, cakes, blondies, brownies, muffins, and banana bread — all inspired by the comforting flavors of home and made with a twist of creativity. We take pride in not using any food dyes or artificial flavors, and we make as many components from scratch as possible using real ingredients — because we believe it makes a world of difference. You can truly taste the love and labor in every bite.

Our mochi treats are beloved by customers of all ages — from kids to kūpuna — because they bring people together with their unique combination of flavors and textures. Each product offers a different mochi experience. Take our best-selling mochi tarts, for example: they’re rich and indulgent, with a crisp exterior, a gooey center, and just the right amount of chew. They’re hard to describe — you really have to try one to understand why people often buy them by the dozen. Since we began in 2020, we’ve developed six delicious mochi tart flavors (and counting!). One of our current bestsellers is the cinnamon mochi banana bread — a familiar classic with a Mochimas twist. We use rice flour to give it that signature mochi chew that you didn’t know banana bread needed — but won’t be able to go without after trying it. Our menu rotates often to reflect seasonal ingredients and new flavor ideas. Many of our customers enjoy our baked mochis at any time of day — for breakfast (yes, really!), lunch, dessert, a midday pick-me-up, or even a late-night snack. Sometimes, you don’t need a reason — just a craving.

I’ve always been passionate about finding meaningful ways to give back to the island of Hawai‘i. That’s why we thoughtfully source select ingredients directly from the islands — not only to honor and incorporate the rich flavors of Hawai‘i, but also to support local farmers and small businesses who help keep these traditions alive.

Over the past five years, I’ve been very blessed not only to grow my business but also to have the most supportive husband by my side throughout this journey. I’m so thankful for my incredible customers; their support and encouragement have brought me to where I am today.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Growing up, I was taught that success meant following the traditional path — stay in school, graduate, go to college, and get a great-paying job. My parents always encouraged me to become a nurse or work in the medical field because it was stable and respected. But even at a young age, I knew that wasn’t where my heart was.

Building this business has shown me that you can create your own version of success, one that feels true to you. It took a while (and a few detours) to realize that success isn’t one-size-fits-all — and it definitely isn’t defined by what society or anyone else thinks it should look like. For me, success is creating something meaningful, spreading joy through our baked mochi, and building a community that feels like family. So no, I didn’t become a nurse — but I like to think I’m still helping people feel a little better, one bite at a time.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Hey you — the one who thought you had to do everything “by the book.” The one who got grounded a little too often (oops), didn’t finish college, and felt like a failure for not fitting the mold. Guess what? You turned out more than fine.

It’s okay that you didn’t follow the “traditional” path. It’s okay that you got into trouble, rebelled against your parents, and didn’t have it all figured out. You built your own path, trusted your gut, and stayed true to who you are — and that’s your superpower.

All those “wrong turns”? They were just leading you exactly where you were meant to be. You weren’t failing — you were finding your way. You didn’t need a perfect plan or a college degree to make it — just courage, heart, and a little bit of faith. Everything has fallen into place exactly as it should.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely — what you see is what you get. I’ve never felt the need to be anyone other than myself. When I’m working markets and events, you’ll see the professional business side of me — maybe with a little splash of wit. I really do love to chat and get to know you.

What most people don’t see is the goofball behind the scenes — the one who loves to laugh and not take life too seriously. I wear many hats as a mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and business owner and I’ve learned there’s a time and place for each version of me. But at the core, it’s all still me — genuine, sincere, intellectual, and witty just in different doses.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I definitely didn’t follow the traditional path of graduating college and finding the “perfect” job — and I’m glad I didn’t. It wasn’t for me. Owning a business takes courage, resilience, and a willingness to wear every hat imaginable. There’s always the risk of uncertainty.

Discipline and hard work were instilled in me from a young age as the oldest daughter in a strict household. On my mom’s side of the family, almost everyone is an entrepreneur in Vietnam, so I think the entrepreneurial spirit is in my blood. The jobs I held along the way taught me customer care, how to quickly problem solve, staying calm under pressure and multitasking, how to stand firm when it matters — skills that continue to shape the way I run my business today.

In the end, this path may not have been the one anyone “expected” (myself included), but it’s the one I was born to follow — building something meaningful, connecting with people, and doing what I love every day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mochimas
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mochimas-lake-forest?osq=mochi
• Other: https://linktr.ee/mochimas