David Truong, owner of Mimi’s Jewelry, is not only a highly successful businessman, but he also knows the importance of community outreach. Fountain Valley Living Magazine writer Judy Aoki sat down with David and asked him to tell his fascinating story in his own words.
“During the ‘80s you watched on the news the mass exodus of Vietnamese refugees — also known as boat people — after the fall of Saigon. My family and I were boat people. After almost a dozen attempts, we were able to escape Vietnam.
“During one of the numerous attempts, our family was caught by the communist army and sent to a makeshift jail on the side of the Mekong Delta. When we left the compound, my dad discretely gave me a cigar tube and told me not to say anything to my mom until we got home.
“When we got home, I showed my mom the cigar tube and what was inside it and I still remember her scream of excitement. My parents had the foresight to sell everything and buy diamonds. Diamonds were the easiest way to transfer wealth.
“We finally escaped communist Vietnam and we landed in Malaysia — a safe haven for many Vietnamese refugees. We arrived in the land of the free in 1980. Assimilating was difficult as I didn’t understand or speak a word of English, but we were together and not under the thumb of communism. That’s all that mattered.
My mom and dad eventually sold all the dia monds and were able to purchase our first house. Mom (Mimi) reminded me in these high interest rate times that their first loan was close to 20 percent. We didn’t have the money to open a jewelry store from the start. So mom opened a nail shop.
“Eventually we saved enough money to get a small case of jewelry in the nail shop. That case got bigger as time went on. We opened Mimi’s Jewelry in 1995 in Fountain Valley. It has been the biggest blessing to be in a community with amazing people.
“I think the best return on investment is commu nity outreach. We've been partners with the Fountain Valley Schools Foundation, Kiwanis, Rotary, and more. One of my passion projects is being on the board of the Fountain Valley Schools Foundation. We have been able to support each and every school in the district. If you are interested in joining the FV Schools Foundation, please reach out to me. We are always looking for volunteers and leaders.
“I am eternally grateful for my parents. Their sacrifice is the driving factor for my business. I am so proud of my parents' hard work and dedication. When we came to the states, the one thing I remembered my parents telling me is that we will never rely on government assistance.
I also can't believe how incredibly lucky I am to have such a beautiful, kind, patient life partner. My world is my wife and kids; they are the impetus to everything I do.” a money tree and a gift card tree. Cost is $50 per person. All proceeds will go toward high school senior scholarships that will be announced at the club’s June meeting.
More information: fvwc5vp@gmail. com.
The Center at Founders Village provides free tax assistance to people who are age 60 and older.
IRS-certified volunteers provide free assistance and basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Appointments are available on Mondays and Wednesdays from February through April.
To schedule an appointment, call the front desk at The Center at Founders Village at (714) 593-4446 or visit the center at 17967 Bushard St., from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Mark your calendars: The next Fountain Valley Charity Poker Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, April 6 at the Center at Founders Village Senior & Community Center. The Fountain Valley Community Foundation holds poker tournaments twice a year.
Registration and sponsorship information is forthcoming.
►Find the Fountain
There is a small picture of a fountain hidden among the pages of this magazine. Find the fountain, take a photo of yourself with that page of the magazine, and email it to publisher@fvlm.com. First person to do so will win a $10 Starbucks card and may have their photo published in a future issue of Fountain Valley Living.
Email: publisher@fvlm.com