Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Vietnamese Immigrant Builds Candy Empire After Homelessness
Gia Huynh came to the United States from Vietnam in 2016 with only $50.
She faced many challenges, including homelessness and working long hours at nail salons.
Despite these difficulties, she started a candy business called Silky Gem, inspired by traditional candies from Japan and Vietnam.
Her handmade treats became very popular, and her business made over $9 million in 2024.
Gia's story shows how hard work and determination can lead to success, even without formal education.
She now employs her parents and credits her success to her resilience and positive mindset.
Gia Huynh, a Vietnamese immigrant, built a multimillion-dollar candy business called Silky Gem after facing homelessness in the US.
She arrived in the US in 2016 with only $50 and worked long hours at nail salons to survive.
Silky Gem's handmade candies are inspired by Japanese kohakutou and Vietnamese mut rau cau, generating over $9 million in revenue by 2024.
Huynh's childhood in Vietnam was marked by poverty, abuse, and bullying, which left deep emotional scars.
Despite these challenges, she launched her business in 2021 and achieved significant success through resilience and hard work.
- Who
- Gia Huynh, a Vietnamese immigrant and single mother
- What
- Built a multimillion-dollar candy business called Silky Gem
- When
- Started in 2021, achieved significant growth by 2024
- Where
- United States, primarily operating online
- Why
- To overcome homelessness and build a better future for herself and her son
- Name
- Gia Huynh
- Origin
- Dong Nai, Vietnam
- Immigration Year
- 2016
- Business Name
- Silky Gem
- Revenue (2024)
- $9 million
- Initial Investment
- $50
- Business Inspiration
- Japanese kohakutou and Vietnamese mut rau cau