From Refugee to Beauty Founder: Resilience, Reinvention and Learning to Receive
Growing Tall Poppies Podcast: Season 03, Episode 110
What does it take to rebuild your life from nothing?
In this inspiring episode of Growing Tall Poppies, Dr Nat Green sits down with Michelle Doan, founder of Emani Vegan Cosmetics, to explore an extraordinary journey of resilience, determination, and post-traumatic growth.
Born in Vietnam, Michelle was just nine years old when her mother fled the country with six children aboard an overcrowded refugee boat following the fall of Saigon. After surviving a perilous journey, spending almost a year in a refugee camp in Thailand, and eventually settling in Canada before moving to California, Michelle's life became a testament to the power of perseverance, curiosity, and hope.
Together, Nat and Michelle explore how adversity shaped Michelle's mindset, the lessons she learned through business, motherhood, and personal challenges, and why learning to receive became one of the most important shifts in her healing journey.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that our circumstances do not define our future - and that resilience, gratitude, and self-awareness can transform even life's most difficult experiences into a foundation for growth.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
Michelle's experience fleeing Vietnam as a child and rebuilding life as a refugee
The resilience lessons she learned from her mother's courage and determination
How her struggles with cystic acne inspired the creation of Emani Vegan Cosmetics
Why curiosity can become one of the most powerful tools for growth
The role mindset plays in post-traumatic growth and personal transformation
How to recognise and challenge the inner critic
Why gratitude practices can create lasting change
The importance of boundaries, values, and raising resilient children
Why many women struggle to receive support, love, and success
How adversity can become the foundation for purpose and impact
Episode Highlights & Takeaways
Resilience is often built through the challenges we never expected to face
The stories we tell ourselves shape how we experience our lives
Learning to receive can be just as important as learning to give
Gratitude and daily intentional practices can create profound shifts over time
Self-awareness is the first step to transforming limiting beliefs
It's never too late to create change or pursue a new path?
Memorable Quotes
"The voice in your head is not your friend."
"Thoughts can be changed."
"How you start your day can change your day, your week and your life."
"It's never too late and we're never too old."
"Do something every day that makes your heart happy."
"Everyone has a story. The story you tell yourself will either empower you or disempower you."
About Michelle Doan
Michelle Doan is the founder of Emani Vegan Cosmetics and a passionate advocate for helping women build confidence from the inside out.
Drawing on her own experiences of adversity, entrepreneurship, motherhood, and personal growth, Michelle inspires others to embrace resilience, cultivate self-awareness, and create lives aligned with their values.
Influential Resources Mentioned
The Untethered Soul - Michael Singer
The Art of Living - Thich Nhat Hanh
Don't Believe Everything You Think - Joseph Nguyen
Louise Hay's teachings on gratitude, healing, and self-worth
Learn More & Connect with Michelle
Websites: Emani Cosmetics and Emani Australia
Facebook: @EmaniCosmetics
Instagram: @emanicosmetics
LinkedIn: @michelle-doan-emani
Next Episode
👉 Episode 111 - Coming Soon
Previous Episode
👉 Episode 109 - Stop Looking Outside Yourself: Soul Language, Self-Trust and the Hidden Patterns Keeping You Stuck with Jennifer Urezzio
