Soft Power: Mia Engel on the power of leaning in

Hello and thanks for being here! Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hello there! My name is Mia and I work at yū, it's a nontoxic nail salon that I opened in the midst of Covid 2020. I'm Vietnamese and I've been in Newcastle for the last 1.5 decades. I used to be a graphic designer but I've always worked in nails since I was a teen. Besides work, I have two doggos and a supportive partner. I like to garden and collect artwork.

We're living in truly strange times, how has COVID affected what you do?

My job is a face to face non-critical service so COVID was like a big bad storm (although I like storms). However, there is always a positive in the negative. I don't often take time off and when I do it is rarely more than 5 days and having 2 months off last year and this year have really made me embrace the slow lane lifestyle and spend more time with my family and tend to our gardens and just enjoy doing absolutely nothing.

Lockdowns suck (necessary, but not fun!), how have you found power in what sometimes feels like a powerless situation? 

Interesting question, work is basically my life, I don't love saying that but I don't really do much else besides work. I wasn't incredibly surprised when lockdown started and 2 weeks prior to lockdown I was already preparing for it so I knew I just had to take each day as it comes. For me it is just a matter of accepting it and I really just did what I enjoy doing like catching up on shows and movies. Spring cleaning took me weeks to finish so it kept me busy. I also finally finished my online store and launched that during lockdown.

Have you learnt any lessons or picked up any little rituals you'll take with you out of lockdown? 

I wouldn't say I've picked up anything that I'll take with me after lockdown but the one thing that I continue doing normally during lockdown is go to bed early and wake up at 6am to start my day.

What are your plans for when we're finally free? 

My short term plan is to take my dogs camping and work as hard as I can for the next three months to accommodate as many cancelled appointments as possible. Long term plan is to travel to Hanoi and visit my relatives.

Lastly, tell us about some people who inspire you. 

I can be a little socially anxious and tend to say the wrong thing at the wrong time but I am learning to communicate better and filter out my thoughts so I can express myself without being so rough around the edges. One of the many people that I admire with great communication skills is Jacinda Ardern as well as her leadership skill is something I thrive to be. Running a business can be challenging but can you imagine running a whole country?! Jacinda is definitely the ultimate boss babe.