Chau and Trang Lui learned from an early age that capitalizing on community is a key to business success.
In 1985, their mother Thu’s dream of moving to Canada from Vietnam for a better life was becoming reality. Thu’s decision to leave the familiar was not easy, especially when she had two young daughters to consider, but she was determined to embark on their own journey.
As soon as they arrived in Canada, Thu and her husband worked an array of jobs to provide for their family. Chau and Trang watched as their parents worked early mornings and late nights, sparking hopes and dreams of one day having their own business to run together as family.
In 1987, only two years after moving from Vietnam, Thu’s dream became a reality when she was offered the opportunity to become a goldsmith and open up her own 400-square-foot jewelry and repair store. Only one thing stood in the way: the language barrier.
Trang in Paris Jewellers original store in Alberta.
As Thu worked tirelessly during the day using her Vietnamese-to-English dictionary to communicate with customers, she continued to sharpen her English by taking ESL night classes. Thu’s broken English was no barrier for the customers in their community as they witnessed how passionate she was about her business, and how she genuinely cared for each customer.
Thu’s compassion and relentless dedication taught their family what it takes to run a successful business. As one store became two, and two became four, Chau and Trang became more involved in the jewelry store.. From a young age, they helped by making signs and greeting every customer with a smile.
Today, Paris Jewellers is in 25 different locations throughout Canada. Chau and Trang now spearhead the company—taking with them the lessons from their mother and their own experiences. Over the years, their customers have become family.
Paris Jewellers believes in leaving a legacy in their communities. Today, Paris Jewellers employs 230 people—with 90% of their employees being female.
While they give back to a variety of charities and organizations, they desire to represent their predominately female workforce by giving back to one local, women’s-based charity in each city that they are located.
Paris Jewellers’ strongest partnership is with the Children’s Wish Foundation, an organization that provides wishes to children facing life-threatening and terminal illness. These wishes work magic, as they give children and their families hope, strength, and courage to face their challenges. Because of their beloved partnership with the Children’s Wish Foundation, Paris Jewellers created a children’s jewelry line with 5% of all sales going back to the foundation.
With each campaign comes a different organization or charity to help, but their mission of giving back has truly united their workforce.
Their customers know that by supporting Paris Jewellers, they are supporting a business that is focused on giving back to the communities that continue to support them.
COVID-19 UPDATE: During this time, Paris Jewellers knows now more than ever that those who can need to step up and support those in need. Paris Jewellers partnered with Canada Food Banks for the month of April, and into May and are donating 5% of their online sales. They also are passionate about spreading much needed joy and hope to our frontline workers. They have gifted necklaces to frontline employees at banks, grocery stores, hospitals, and are planning more gifts for our health heroes for international Nurses Day on May 12. It is our way of saying, we see you, we are grateful for you, and THANK YOU.