Story & Lesson Highlights with Vicky Nguyen of Huntington Beach

Vicky Nguyen shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Vicky, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Energy is the most important to me because, like time, it’s something I can’t get back. This year especially, I’ve had to let go of a lot in order to protect my energy and reserve it for what really matters. Running a business and managing side projects takes a lot out of me, so I’ve learned how important it is to be intentional about where my energy goes. I allow myself to feel things, but I don’t dwell—I detach and move forward. I also choose to surround myself with people and environments I’m meant to be aligned with. I don’t need to connect with everyone, just those who genuinely add value and fill my cup.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Vicky Nguyen, founder of Yummmm!Bar. My journey started while juggling a fast-paced corporate life, constant travel, and long days where granola bars became my go-to “healthy” snack—until I started reading the labels. Packed with sugar and additives, they weren’t fueling me, so I decided to create my own. What began as a homemade bar shared with my sister and coworkers quickly turned into something bigger than I ever imagined.

Yummmm!Bar was born from the idea that snacks should make you feel good—physically, mentally, and emotionally. I wanted to create something that was not only delicious, but nourishing, filling, and functional. In 2021, after years of “what ifs,” I left my corporate job and took a leap of faith to build Yummmm!Bar full-time.

Today, Yummmm!Bar is more than a snack—it’s a growing movement and a convenient, better-for-you option for people on the go. We’re currently focused on bringing Yummmm!Bar into places where people need real fuel the most—corporate cafés, hotels, airports, gyms, coffee shops, health-conscious grocery markets, and healthy snack vending machines. Our goal is to replace “empty” grab-and-go snacks with something more intentional, satisfying, and feel-good, without sacrificing taste.

At its heart, Yummmm!Bar is about community and balance—fueling busy lives with cleaner ingredients, mindful choices, and a little extra “yum.” Because when you’re properly fueled, you can show up better for whatever life throws your way—one delicious bite at a time.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is the one I’ve built with my inner child. Learning to reconnect with that part of me has taught me kindness, self-compassion, and the importance of not taking life so seriously. When I’m feeling down or overly critical, I pause and ask myself, Would I speak to my inner child this way? That simple question immediately shifts my perspective. It reminds me to lead with gentleness, to find joy in the small moments, and to move through life with more curiosity, play, and grace.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes—more times than I can admit. There were moments when the constant fire-fighting, rejections, exhaustion, and sacrifices—especially missing out on parts of my personal life—made me question everything. Building something from the ground up isn’t easy, and there were days when giving up felt like the simpler option.

What always brings me back is the people. My community, my team, and our customers remind me why I started. Hearing parents share stories about their kids loving Yummmm!Bar, or watching team members form real friendships and support one another, makes all the hard moments worth it. Those connections are the fuel that keeps me going and reaffirms that what we’re building truly matters.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that humanity and helping others truly matter to me. When I have an idea or a vision I believe in, I’m deeply committed and will do whatever it takes to bring it to life.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I tap into my feminine energy and allow myself to flow—trusting my intuition, moving with grace, and taking a deep breath that lets my whole body fully relax.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yummmmbar.com/
• Instagram: yummmmbar.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicky-nguyen-82b1028/

Image Credits
Zo’e Cole – Photographer