Today we’d like to introduce you to Lina Nguyen.
Hi Lina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Ann Arbor and graduated from the University of Michigan during the pandemic with a degree in Film, TV, and Media. Shortly after, I moved to Los Angeles for my first production role with Apple TV in post-production. When that season wrapped, I continued my journey in the entertainment industry with Variety, deepening my skills in the marketing and media at the heart of Hollywood.
After two years in LA, I made the decision to return home to Michigan to help care for my dad after he experienced a minor stroke. That chapter shifted my priorities and grounded me in a desire to build something meaningful—something rooted in culture, community, and comfort.
In 2025, I took over a local tea and coffee shop and began reimagining it into what is now “unitea café”. Inspired by my Vietnamese heritage and a love for thoughtfully crafted drinks, we redesigned the space with a minimalist aesthetic and refreshed the menu to feature Vietnamese coffee, ceremonial matcha, and nostalgic flavors with a modern twist.
Funny enough, my parents used to run a small coffee shop back in Vietnam, and my mom has been one of my biggest inspirations throughout this journey. Today, “unitea” is more than just a café—it’s a reflection of everything I care about: connection, intention, and cultural storytelling through flavor.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Taking over and rebranding “unitea” has brought its own set of challenges—everything from learning the ins and outs of running a business, managing finances, and instead of building a brand from scratch, we decided to keep the name and re-building the name itself to introduce the new menu to old customers, current and new. But those challenges have been the most rewarding part of the journey because they’ve taught me how to combine creativity, culture, and community into something truly meaningful.
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the earliest challenges was transforming the space to match my vision—shifting from a bright, overly colorful interior to something calmer, more minimal, and aligned with the aesthetic I had in mind. It was important to create a space that felt intentional and inviting, but working within a limited budget while running daily operations made it tough. Beyond design, there were steep learning curves in managing staff, streamlining operations, and sourcing quality ingredients that honored both tradition and taste. But each challenge helped me better understand what it means to build a business that’s not just functional—but deeply personal.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
“unitea cafe” is a Vietnamese-inspired coffee and tea shop located in the heart of Ann Arbor. We specialize in Vietnamese coffee, ceremonial matcha, and nostalgic drinks that blend traditional flavors with modern techniques. Our menu is thoughtfully curated—from our bold, slow-dripped phin coffee to our sesame matcha and ube Vietnamese coffee—each drink is crafted with care, quality ingredients, and cultural intention.
What sets us apart is our commitment to storytelling through flavor. Every drink on our menu reflects a piece of our heritage, our travels, or a personal memory. We’re not just serving drinks—we’re creating moments of connection. The café itself is designed to feel calm, minimal, and grounding—like a little pause in your day.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how “unitea” has grown into a reflection of who we are. From our clean, earthy visuals to our attention to detail in both design and hospitality, everything is done with intention. We want our customers to feel that when they walk in.
Earlier this year, I took a trip back to Vietnam—where I was born—to reconnect with my roots and dive deeper into the world of Vietnamese coffee. My boyfriend joined me later, and together we explored countless coffee shops, learned traditional brewing techniques, and drew inspiration from the vibrant café culture.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Ironically, I can’t drink much coffee myself—especially Vietnamese coffee—because it’s so strong. Every time I brew it, I have to keep my herbal inhaler nearby just to handle the caffeine! And, did I mention, matcha as well? We use 6g of matcha at our cafe and that is way too strong for me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linanglan/
