Connect
To Top

Katy Nguyen of Southwest on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Katy Nguyen. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Katy, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are the most precious. Since my kids are my shadows during the day, the best time I have to really dig into work is while they’re sleeping. And as a morning person, those early hours set me up for success. I’m also a better mom (and human in general) if I’ve had some alone time before the world wakes up and the chaos begins.

I wake up at 5 AM, make a cup of coffee, and squeeze in some stretches if I’m lucky. If both of my boys are still asleep, I jump straight into answering inquiries for The Crumby Bakeshop, an amazing local bakery where I work part-time.

Usually, that’s right about when my oldest wanders in. I’ll hand him a quick snack to buy myself a little more quiet time, at least until the sun comes up. Once I’ve secured a little more quiet, I move on to Little Lemon Stitches content. This is when I post a reel, share a carousel, or update Etsy and Ko-fi listings.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I run Little Lemon Stitches, a crochet and creative brand I started in 2024. It began as a way to share the joy I find in making playful, handmade pieces, and it has grown into a community of people who connect with that same love for creativity.

One of the special things about Little Lemon Stitches is how it blends crafting with community. Currently, I teach crochet classes around Southwest Houston 2-3 times a month. I’ve partnered with The Crumby Bakeshop, LIT bookbar, and Brazos Bookstore, to name a few. Each class is beginner-friendly and focused on having fun, building community, and learning a new skill.

One of my favorite monthly events is Crumby Craft Club. This is all-ages crafting meetup at The Crumby Bakeshop, where you can bring your own project or try a fun, easy craft while enjoying a cozy, creative atmosphere.

If you’re interested in joining in on any events, please join my email newsletter or follow me on Instagram for more. We have so many fun fall events coming up, from crochet pumpkin classes to holiday ornament crochet kids-only classes!

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I always wanted to be a teacher, and for years, I accomplished that goal. I taught in Southwest Houston for 8 years. By the time I was pregnant with my youngest, I was a teacher, a team leader, an instructional coach, and had led several clubs and organizations, among other roles. I was so tired. I had just completed my M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, and I was on track to become certified as an administrator. However, it was clear that education was changing, not for the best, and it was impossible to maintain any work-life balance, especially as a new mom, while working in any part of public education.

Part of what made it so difficult to walk away was that I was a perfectionist. I poured myself into teaching and always wanted the absolute best for my students, even when it meant sacrificing evenings, weekends, or time with my own family. That drive gave my students so much, but it also left me running on empty.

Looking back past the burnout, I’m grateful I had the chance to teach. I worked with so many wonderful students and met lifelong friends along the way. But I’ve also learned that who I am today is someone who values balance, creativity, and joy over chasing the career path others might have expected for me. Choosing that shift is something I’ll never regret.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Does every day count? Just kidding (kind of). Imposter syndrome is real, especially when so much of my business lives on social media. It feels like a cruel joke of the universe to ask artists to constantly promote their work online instead of simply following every creative whim. Having to record each step of a process can sometimes stifle my creativity, and seeing everyone else’s polished projects can be intimidating. It makes me feel like I’m over here playing silly games while everyone else is playing “professional.”

That’s one of the biggest reasons I love building this crafting community, both online and in Houston. It gives us a space to encourage each other, be playful, and create without the weight of constant comparison.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
This is definitely a gray area. As a teacher, I learned quickly that you have to entertain to get your point across. It’s like when someone you know well answers the phone with that “phone voice” that makes you do a double-take. It’s not a different person; it’s just a different flavor, and each one has its place.

With Little Lemon Stitches, my public self is all carefree golden retriever energy, while my truest self is more black cat – quiet, watchful, and perfectly happy staying in the background. Both sides are me.

The best part of this brand is the connections it’s brought, both locally and across the globe. I’ve met amazing friends here in Houston and through the wider crafting community. But the introvert in me still needs plenty of alone time to recharge, and I’m learning to give myself that space.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing? 
When I look back at my early 20s, I regret not being messy. Everything had to be clean, perfect, and gray. Now, in my 30s, I think of color. I think of fun. I’m way more tired, but that’s because I’m throwing it all in, like mixing all the Play-Doh colors (I know, I know). It’s messy, but it’s freeing, and I’ve never felt more like myself.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in Local Stories