From Juice Cleanses to CEO: Vy Dao on Redefining Wellness and Breaking Stereotypes

Vy Dao’s path to becoming Managing Partner at N Wellness started with a simple juice cleanse, and turned into a mission to change how we fuel our bodies. In this episode of the Powerful Ladies Podcast, Vy shares how she went from studying biology to launching wellness brands that rival the big-name energy drinks (minus the crash and chemicals). We dive into her journey as an Asian American woman in business, the cultural stereotypes she’s pushed against, and why communication and spirituality are now at the center of her leadership style. You’ll hear how she’s making wellness simple, how a focus on plant-based nutrition changed her life, and why she believes the magic happens when we admit we need help. Plus, Vy opens up about her rebranding plans, her approach to team building, and her advice for turning fear into faith in work and life. Chapters: 00:00 – Changing majors and changing direction 02:55 – Founding N Wellness 04:45 – Competing with energy drink giants (and winning) 08:15 – Why clean ingredients matter 09:50 – From juice cleanses to wellness shots 13:20 – The case for more plants in your diet 15:10 – Food, color, and the seven chakras 17:00 – Growing up Vietnamese American in Huntington Beach 20:15 – Breaking the “be quiet” stereotype 25:00 – Women in business and finding support 31:10 – Proving people wrong (again and again) 33:00 – Owning your growth and asking for help 35:20 – The women who shaped Vy’s path 36:00 – Why communication changes everything 41:10 – From fear to faith in business 43:00 – Building a spiritual foundation for leadership 50:10 – What’s next for N Wellness and Nurish Group 51:40 – How to connect with Vy The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices