Thanh has wanted to be many things: an artist, a designer, an entrepreneur, a humanitarian. Starting her jewelry company sprang naturally by coming from two generations in the jewelry business. It is where she developed a true and impressive eye for color and design. As the founder and creator of Le Dragon d’Or, Thanh creates extraordinary pieces with a passion that ignites from deep within her. Nothing is ordinary, but everything is extraordinary.
Born in Quy Nhon, Vietnam, Thanh along with her family immigrated to the United States when she was two. Thanh received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in marketing and management from the University of Texas. After graduation, Thanh then went on to work in sales and managed her family’s jewelry business.
Thanh has been actively involved in helping underprivileged children from foreign countries, supporting a numerous of charities. One is to help sick and special needs children around the world. Thanh resides in Los Angeles and enjoys traveling all over the world, collecting inspiration for her jewelry collections.
On her first trip back to Vietnam in 2008 with her sister Dr. Dane Hoang, Thanh witnessed first-hand the dire poverty that so many of our children face on a daily basis. Thanh and her sister made it a mission to help the needy children around the world by working tirelessly to form the Le Hoang Foundation with the help of their family and friends. Thanh developed a true understanding of how one person can make a difference in the lives of others, and the most powerful path towards change is by empowerment through education. Thanh passionately believes that the Le Hoang Foundation has the power to affect that change, and she knows that every journey truly does begin with that first step. The task that lies ahead seems daunting, but Thanh also knows that this children’s charity will truly be the seed of positive change in the lives of countless children.
Full name
Thanh Le Hoang
Hometown
Quy Nhon, Vietnam
Current city
Los Angeles, California
Ethnicity
Asian-American
What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”
Going against the grain is to march to the beat of your own drum; to do things and live on your own terms regardless of what society and industry says is the norm. I try to be true to myself and my own vision rather than following a course set by others.
What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in this field?
I think I’ve been lucky to not have faced many challenges as an Asian American in my field because jewelry is art and art is objective. It’s all about connection and whether the person has a connection to the jewelry piece. The challenge I face is balancing work, family and friends. Also, I’m learning to live in the moment.
What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?
My biggest accomplishment is to have stayed true to myself personally and professionally. Personally, being open and honest with yourself and others is the best in order to have authentic and meaningful relationships. Professionally, many people told me I should look into producing lower quality jewelry due to our economy, but it just wasn’t me. It wasn’t about making money to me…it was about making beautiful art by designing from my heart.