Meet Jennifer Giang | Entrepreneur & Adventurer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Giang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in Virginia but to immigrant parents who came over from Vietnam as one of the “boat people” so hard work and success was always something engrained in me. I knew that no matter what I did, I have to succeed in some way because if I didn’t, what did my parents make their sacrifices for? This mental note motivated me but also weighed on my shoulders. I’ve always loved music and the arts but knew I couldn’t be a starving artist. I saw how my parents worked endless days to provide for us and determined that I need to ensure we’re comfortable in the future. So I did the corporate thing and quickly realized that although it can lead to “comfort”, it wasn’t the life for me.

I’ve since begun, failed, and succeeded a few ventures and see myself continuing to do so in the long run. To provide for the community and my family.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My professional journey has been driven by curiosity, passion, and a willingness to explore new opportunities. While I work in a corporate role, which I love and don’t plan on leaving, my true excitement comes from the two side projects I manage outside of my 9-to-5.

The first is Luxury Minted Vintage, a luxury handbag resale business that I run with my sister. We’ve always had a shared love for luxury bags and, over time, realized that our passion for collecting could turn into a business. What sets us apart is our focus on sourcing rare, vintage handbags, which each have their own unique story and character, alongside classic, timeless styles. It’s important to us that our customers feel confident in their purchases, so we make sure each item is triple authenticated. We pride ourselves on offering a more personalized service, and we love working directly with people to help them find the perfect bag.

My second project is content creation, which may sound like the typical side hustle, but it’s something I’m genuinely excited about. My content focuses on fashion, beauty, and travel, with a specific spotlight on handbags. I love sharing my unfiltered thoughts and daily life through vlogs, and I’m working on more structured content, like “New to Me News,” where I discuss topics, trends and things that catch my eye. It’s a space where I can connect with others who share my interests, and although balancing this with my corporate job can be a challenge, it keeps me creative and fulfilled.

Getting to where I am today hasn’t always been easy. My parents were refugees from Vietnam, and growing up, I had to develop a strong work ethic early on. I started working when I was 12, and being part the first generation in my family to attend college taught me the value of hard work and resilience. These experiences have shaped me into someone who’s always willing to take on new challenges, whether in my corporate career or in my side ventures.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is that success doesn’t come without hard work and the occasional misstep. But every challenge is a learning experience, and being adaptable is key. I want the world to know that my story is about passion, perseverance, and staying true to what excites me. Whether it’s providing high-end, unique bags with a personal touch or sharing my thoughts on fashion and travel, my goal is to always create something authentic and meaningful.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting Atlanta for a week, I’d make sure they experienced the diverse vibes, food, and energy that make this city so exciting! Here’s the perfect itinerary for an unforgettable trip:

Day 1: Arrival & Beltline Exploration We’d kick things off with a relaxed walk along the Beltline. It’s always buzzing with events, and we’d stop at Ponce City Market to sample some food – maybe tacos at Minero or some delicious pizza at Pizza Jeans or even Ramen at Ton Ton. The rooftop at Ponce is also a fun spot with games and great city views.

Day 2: Virginia Highland Vibes Start the day with a healthy brunch in Virginia Highland. I’d take them to Murphy’s or The Highland Bakery for something delicious yet wholesome. Afterward, we’d hit up an aerial yoga class to balance out the indulgence! Virginia Highland is such a charming neighborhood, perfect for a slow stroll through its boutiques and coffee shops.

Day 3: Street Art & Food in Old Fourth Ward & Krog Street We’d dive into Atlanta’s artsy side, exploring the murals around Krog Street Tunnel. It’s full of vibrant street art and just oozes creativity. From there, we’d check out the food scene in Old Fourth Ward – maybe hit up Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall for some outdoor vibes or Superica for Tex-Mex. This area connects back to the Beltline, so there’s always something happening.

Day 4: Asian Food Adventure on Buford Highway Time to venture to Buford Highway for some of my favorite Asian cuisines. We’d start with dim sum at Canton House, then hop over to Mamak for a taste of Malaysia or grab soup dumplings from Northern China Eatery. There are so many options here, we’d probably be snacking all day long! In the evening, we could head to Duluth for Asian style/Korean karaoke (in a private room), KBBQ, and of course, boba tea.

Day 5: Culture & Chill Day For a change of pace, I’d take my friend to some of Atlanta’s iconic spots like the High Museum of Art or Piedmont Park. We could relax with a picnic or rent bikes and cruise around the park. In the evening, we’d grab a bite in Midtown at South City Kitchen or try something adventurous at Ecco.

Day 6: Korean Karaoke Night We’d head back to Duluth for some good old-fashioned Korean karaoke! Afterward, we’d dig into some Korean BBQ, hit up a hot pot place, or grab fluffy pancakes and boba from one of the local cafes.

Day 7: Late-Night Vibes On our final day, we’d take it easy and soak in the quirky, late-night culture with a visit to Waffle House. There’s something fun about people-watching and having some comfort food late at night in Atlanta – it’s always an experience!

With this itinerary, they’d get to see all the fun, food, and local flavor that makes Atlanta so special!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Sounds cliche but I need to give a shoutout to my sister (and business partner). She’s always supporting me in everything that I do and willingly gets roped into all of my crazy ideas. Obviously, we grew up together so she knows all of my insecurities and motivates me to work through them as I’m pursuing… literally anything. A solid rock to lean on but also a great partner in business and life!

Website: https://www.luxurymintedvintage.com

Instagram: @junipergaia & @luxurymintedvintage

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JuniperGaia

Other: Tiktok: @junipergaia & @luxurymintedvintage

Image Credits
C. Mcdade for headshot.
Everything else – myself or sister