Meet Cassie Ghaffar & Sandy Nguyen | MOMPRENEURS

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassie Ghaffar & Sandy Nguyen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassie Ghaffar & Sandy Nguyen, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Sandy and myself are mothers of 7 boys under 7. Although we feel we have been tested on many occasions during our lives, our careers and personal growth have thrived on multiple levels in these last 7 year than ever before. As we align our work ethics and business-minded growth, it was the work life balance that we agreed on the most. We always tell people that we like to love hard, work hard and play hard. We find that we have created a structure and support system in our lives so that we have time to raise our children in the best manner possible and equally balance work, marriage, family, friends and travel. It is these particular moments of balance, like a girls night out, that allow us to reset and push harder. Although we work 24/7 and at the beck and call of pretty much everything and everyone, we have learned ways to compartementlize our day to day obstacles by making quick decisions, finding resolution, and moving on. We like to say that out biggest asset is the ability to pivot through many situations while making it look effortless. Along our journey, we find it extremely important to groom teams that share the same passion and heart we have and allow opportunities of growth, expansion, and partnerships. We realize it is the support of our teams that also allow us to continue to be able to juggle all that makes us happy in life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Saigon Hustle all started as one dream between two friends, three years ago. The owners Cassie Ghaffar and Sandy Nguyen, both native Houstonians, have been best friends for over two decades. Meeting in college at the University of Houston, the two have supported each other in all different walks of life. Now both mothers, with growing families and gained experiences, their visions have aligned: to bring convenience and health to the Vietnamese flavors they grew up on. Saigon Hustle brings authenticity to your doorstep, by offering you the same traditional dishes they serve at home and have perfected through the generations. We offer Banh Mi Sandwiches, Rice Plates, Vermicelli Bowls, and a variety of Spring Rolls with your choice of protein. All of our sauces are made with LOVE and exactly the way our family likes them.

Nothing we ever do is easy, however we’ve been told we make it look easy. That’s was sets us apart from others. Our ability to manage though quick and sound decisions comes with the years of experience of trials and tribulations we have endured and is our most suitable attribute to being a good business owner and partners. We say, it was those times we worked for free that planted the seeds for today and now we enjoy the fruits of our labor. Today we see so many people with the “what’s in it for me?” mentality and it is so foreign to us. Through our years, we selflessly and thoroughly worked for others and ourselves, but found the reward to be much more satisfying for ourselves. The biggest thing we have learned since becoming mothers is to not bring our work home. We live in these pockets of life that allow us to flourish everywhere whether it be on the soccer field or in the kitchen.

We want everyone to know hard work pays off. When you can manifest what you want, you can make it happen.

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.
Honestly with Texas being so hot, the best southern hospitality we could ever give our friends is a home cooked meal, outside BBQ by the pool, completely decorated table, and a themed decor and dress code! THAT IS SANDY AND CASSIE. However, we are true foodies and think Houston has the best multicultural cuisine to offer in all of the country. Tex Mex is a must and splits between El Tiempo and the original Ninfa’s on Navigation. Texas BBQ at Blood Brothers BBQ or Killen’s is also hands down something everyone needs to try. Asian food here is just amazing. DIm Sum at Fung’s Kitchen, Korean BBQ at Bori, Pho at Pho Saigon, Thai at Thai gourmet, and then a little South Asian IndoPak food at Aga’s. We cant forget the crawfish at Seafood Shoppe or Crawfish Cafe. On a fancier night, we would take them to the solid Steak 48 that never disappoints or maybe even an all your can eat Brazilian Churascarria at Chama Gaucha. On a really bougie night we would take down Uchi or Kata Robata for sushi!

A night cap out would consist of some craft cocktails at Anvil, Old Fashions at Permissions Whiskey & Service or some late night drinking and dancing at Bisou.

If there was a concert at White Oak we would take them there, art at Rothko Chapel, or even Museum of Fine arts and visit Cafe Leonelli. IF the timing was perfect, it would hands down be the Houston Rodeo and Cookoff!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are way to many people to thank. First and foremost, I think both of our mothers, who adore their grandchildren, continuously and selflessly support us and always have the best interest of our kids at heart. They are always lending a helping hand and have made clear that they love their grandkids more than us. The comfort of knowing that our families are in good hands while we are out in this challenging world is the most comforting thing we have. Our husbands are both extremely acknowledging and understanding of our risk taking methods of doing business and don’t hinder our growth because we don’t always fit a stereotypical mold of what a woman, mother, and wife should be. Throughout these years, we have been very fortunate of the management teams we have built. Because of them, we grow. Because of them, we create more opportunities. Because of them, we sleep at night.

Website: www.thesaigonhustle.com

Instagram: @saigonhustle

Facebook: Saigon Hustle

Yelp: Saigon Hustle

Image Credits
Composure Studios