People Doing Cool Stuff: Tina Nguyen
Get to know Tina Nguyen, founder of XXL Scrunchie & Co. Her Belleville-based family business sells handmade scrunchies in just about every colour you could image and has expanded to include more products like hair claws, tote bags, pillowcases, clothing and accessories.
Read time: 4 min
For those who aren’t familiar, tell us about XXL Scrunchie & Co. and how it started:
In 2019, I made an extra extra large scrunchie from one of my mom’s old shirts as a Christmas gift for my cousin, tailored to her incredibly long hair. Little did I know, that simple gesture would spark a business idea. Initially hesitant, I said no to the idea. But in a couple of weeks, I got my website together, made a bunch of inventory and launched it alone in January 2020. From my cozy 400 sq ft apartment in Toronto, I took the leap, and before I knew it, XXL Scrunchie was born.
The business took off so fast that I moved back home to get my parents’ support, taking over their living room with scrunchies and packaging. After a few months, we renovated and set up shop in their basement. A year and a half later, we upgraded to our first warehouse space, and within nine months, expanded again into our current 4,000 sq ft warehouse. Today, we’ve processed over 30,000 orders, and I owe it all to my amazing parents—who still help to this day—and their unwavering support.
Every scrunchie we create is crafted with boundless love, making us truly unique!
What was it like being on Dragons’ Den last year and how did that experience impact you?
Being on Dragons’ Den last year was an incredible ride! Walking into that iconic den to pitch my handmade scrunchie business was a real ‘pinch me’ moment, filled with nerves and excitement. It was a transformative experience that helped me overcome imposter syndrome and truly embrace pride in what we’ve accomplished at XXL Scrunchie. The exposure to a nationwide audience was priceless, and the feedback has fueled my determination to live by the mantra ‘you can achieve anything with hard work.’ It’s inspired me to refine our strategy, dream bigger, and pursue exciting new opportunities with even more passion. Plus, it’s become my go-to story at every dinner party!
What makes the Bay of Quinte region a good fit for your business?
Having moved here at the age of 10, Belleville is what I consider my hometown. I’ve built strong connections over the years—from lifelong friends to the familiar fabric store I’ve frequented since high school. More than anything, my family is here, which anchors me to this community. Returning here wasn’t planned, but I’ve come to deeply value the support and sense of belonging that have fueled my business journey from the beginning and continue to do so today.
How do you like to spend your days off?
My perfect day off would start with a good night’s sleep, waking naturally around 5 or 6am to kick off with a workout class or a run with my dog Bruce. Returning home, I’d indulge in breakfast prepared by my partner Jeffrey. Then, we’d head out to Prince Edward County, loading up the boat with plenty of snacks to enjoy under the sunny skies. Meeting up with friends, we’d have lunch on the boat and cap off the day with a delightful BBQ dinner, soaking in the sunset. Maybe head to a brewery in the evening or have a fire.
Just a few years ago, before Jeffrey came into the picture, my ideal day off would have included early mornings, workouts, and diving straight into work – which I’m truly passionate about. As a small business owner, weekends have become my sanctuary for pursuing creative projects I love. Balancing work and life has been a journey over the past two years, and I’m still refining that art!
What are your favourite BoQ spots to visit?
I absolutely adore the Belleville waterfront, especially walking my dog at Zwick’s Park—it’s so peaceful and scenic. I love doing my reformer pilates classes at Get Kinected Fitness in Belleville. Recently, I’ve discovered a passion for golfing with my dad, and I’ve been having a blast at Nine Golf Course, Bay of Quinte, and Black Bear Ridge. Plus, since my partner Jeffrey is from Prince Edward County, we’re often found enjoying weekends at spots like Prince Eddy’s Brewery, Hartley’s, or lounging on the beautiful Sandbanks Beaches!
What are you up to this year that we should look out for?
This year, we’ve kicked things up a notch with our new in-person shopping appointments at our warehouse! It’s a fresh twist for us, having been exclusively online or through partner salons until now. We’ve had customers travel from as far as Toronto to visit, which has been a fantastic surprise!
In addition to embracing the retail scene, we’re also thrilled to announce our collaboration with Reaching For Rainbows, a wonderful local organization in Prince Edward County supporting vulnerable young girls. We’re busy planning another exciting fundraiser and launching a hair claw initiative to support the Quinte Humane Society.
And that’s not all—stay tuned for our top-secret project with Afiya Beauty, where we’re crafting a special hair product made right here in Canada, packed with ingredients that are actually good for your hair.
Oh and of course, more scrunchies will be dropping this fall!
Since starting my small business, it’s been incredible to receive hundreds of messages from people saying my videos and posts inspired them to pursue their own entrepreneurial journeys. I often get asked about starting a small business, and I’ve found it challenging to condense all the advice into a simple email response. That’s why I’ve started sharing more social media tips and even filmed a step-by-step series on my YouTube channel detailing how I began my business, manage orders, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
It brings me so much joy to empower others and share what I’ve learned because I truly believe there’s limitless potential for everyone to achieve their dreams.
