Street Style: Meet Katie Nguyen Wells
“As I get older, I want to know more and learn more,” says Katie Nguyen Wells. “I didn’t appreciate my culture as much when I was younger.” She left Vietnam as a toddler with her mother and brother, spending over a year in a refugee camp before resettling in Virginia with the help of her uncles.
She says she quickly adapted to Western ways. “When I was younger, you know, it was the usual teenage rebellious stuff. I was a little more westernized than my mother wanted me to be. I remember going on a high school fashion merchandising trip to New York and feeling certain I wanted to pursue fashion and PR. But my mom shut it down—said it wasn’t practical. So I set aside my creative side and chose a more traditional path in business and corporate communications.”
Katie’s creative side began to bloom after she had children. “I threw over-the-top birthday parties for my kids and everyone told me I should start my own business.”
She launched Petite Social, doing styling for children’s parties and business events. “Some of my Old Town clients included Elizabeth Todd of The Hive, Amy Rutherford of Red Barn Mercantile, and Pink and Brown. I was always hustling. I had one foot in the door of this events world, and one foot still in the corporate world. I was schlepping all this stuff around and then packing it all back up again. The business did very well, but I didn’t know how to scale it. I wanted to hire someone to help, but clients were hiring me for my style and I didn’t know if I could find someone to mirror that.” She returned her focus to the corporate world for a few years.
Then the opportunity for AR Workshop popped up. It would be the first in Virginia, having begun in North Carolina. “I had met the founder during my event styling days, and we became online friends, staying connected. I told her, ‘I love this concept—will you let me bring it to Alexandria?’”
Katie Nguyen Wells
Photography: Renée C. Gage Photography
Self-styled
Shoot location: King Street Trolley at the Alexandria waterfront
In 2016, AR Workshop Alexandria became the franchise’s seventh store. “It was simply a DIY (do-it-yourself) studio, where someone could come in and craft, led by instructors. As we said, ‘bring out your inner craftinista.’ Our first location was on the second floor in a building above Dolci Gelati, near the current ERA Boutique. It was a big, open space, but we outgrew it really fast and I started looking again. I found the next space at 1212 King Street through AEDP (Alexandria Economic Development Partnership).”
“The founder allowed me to operate pretty independently of the franchise and make it my vision, and do what fit best for my market. There were no handcuffs. I did fun and new things…floral design and macrame, cookie decorating, and I even brought in a retail section.”
After seven and a half years, Katie felt that being the owner of AR Workshop was no longer the right fit for her and her family. “Even though it was no longer what we wanted to do, it was still good and viable for someone else. I am so proud of what we built—and to hand it down and have someone be able to make their own story. The groundwork has been done; now they can put their own spin on it and come up with new, creative ideas and classes.”
In January of 2024, she handed the reins to Stephanie Woodland Kelly. “She brought a new following – her friends, her network, and other contacts from Maryland. She had new ideas and has made it her own.”
Katie says that at first she didn’t have a plan for the post-sale period. “I was doing some consulting and the opportunity to join AEDP came about. I'm one of a handful of small business consultants they have, and my area of expertise is in business operations, marketing, and social media. I provide coaching and mentoring to aspiring entrepreneurs or current business owners looking to start, grow, or even exit their business.” She is also engaged as a consultant for an interior design firm, Choux Designs, as their director of marketing and business operations.
“The biggest roadblock for entrepreneurs is typically themselves,” says Katie. “The fear, the doubt, the what-ifs. I took a pragmatic approach, I needed to make rent at the end of the day, and I had a three-year lease. Nothing is a death sentence, if it doesn’t work out, I’d move on. My husband John does work in academia and we have health insurance, so that was one less thing to worry about.” Her daughter Lila and son Cole, were 8 and 10 at the time, and loved being a part of the business and being in the shop.
She says her daughter, now 16, has no interest in being part of the business world. “She’s immersed in ice hockey. I still have hope because I was a late bloomer. Cole plays golf and is getting ready to graduate, and is exploring a work-study program. He’s on the Autism spectrum and this is a good alternative for him.”
What’s next? “This is my season. I don’t know what’s next and I might get itchy and want to open a store again. I’m beginning to miss the creative side. I started DIYing at home again – last week I painted a cabinet. But for now, I’m looking forward to an epic girls’ trip to Portugal to celebrate my 50th.”
Check out Katie’s Street Style – and the iconic King Street Trolley:
ABOUT KATIE
Neighborhood: Waynewood, Alexandria, VA
Hometown: I’m a local! Falls Church, VA
What would surprise people about you? I was born in Vietnam and came to the U.S. with my mom and older brother. We escaped Vietnam by boat and lived in a refugee camp before coming to America. I was only three at the time, so I was able to assimilate quickly — which is probably why people are surprised when they hear my story — cause it’s certainly not something that just comes up! ;-)
Favorite book or movie: Under the Tuscan Sun
Guilty Pleasure: Extra dirty martini with extra olives and french fries.
Latest binge-watch: Your Friends & Neighbors (Jon Hamm on Apple TV)
Bucket list travel destination: Vietnam! Because I don’t have any recollection of it.
STYLE
Define your style in three words or less: Polished, Flirty, Fun
Go-to piece in your wardrobe: Accessories. I think it’s the little details that complete the outfit.
Favorite trend: Currently, high-waisted, wide leg jeans.
Beauty product you can’t live without: Facial lotion and Chapstick
Boots, heels or sneakers? Heels!
WELLNESS
Go-to way to de-stress: Long solo walks with a podcast.
Most fun way to stay active: Hiking and reformer pilates.
Wellness goal: To age well and not ‘feel’ my age.
Want to try: A wellness retreat.
Proudest wellness achievement: Being consistent. Prioritizing and incorporating daily movement into my lifestyle and actually maintaining it for the past two years.
HOME
Favorite room in your home: Living room
Antiques, modern, or a mix? Mix
Last item bought for your home: It’s patio season! New Adirondack chairs, outdoor umbrellas, pillows, and garden planters.
Favorite way to entertain: I love a good theme.
Clutter-free or well-lived in? Well-lived in for sure.
Next planned purchase: New sectional for the family room.
ALEXANDRIA
What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? The people and the stories behind the business.
Favorite spot in Alexandria: Old Town Farmer’s Market and Mount Vernon Trail along the water.
Best food spot: Tatté, Josephine’s, or Augie’s patio with our pup.
Favorite local organizations: Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) - It’s an amazing, FREE resource for small businesses/owners looking to start, grow, and thrive in Alexandria. The National Breast Center Foundation and Space of Her Own.
Alexandria event you most look forward to: The holidays - kicking off with The Cookie Crawl, Scottish Walk Parade, and Boat Parade of Lights
ABOUT THE KING STREET TROLLEY
When does it run? Every 15 minutes between the King Street Metro Station and City Hall/Market Square, starting at 11am and ending at 11pm.
Length of the route? Approximately two miles round-trip.
Busiest Months? Usually during the summer months when tourism is highest.
Contact: Caleb Keller, Marketing & Public Engagement Specialist, Alexandria Transit Company (DASH), caleb.keller@alexandriava.gov
