She Immigrated to the U.S. and Slept in Her Car as a Single Mother and Now Her Company Brings in $9 Million a Year

Gia Huynh was born in Don Hai, Vietnam, and grew up in Ho Chi Mihn City, the youngest of four siblings. She immigrated to the United States with her husband in 2016, but they divorced a year later, largely due to financial struggles. For years, Huynh worked 14-hour days at nail salons to stay afloat. At one point, she found herself homeless, living out of her car as a single mother. Determined to create a better life for her and her son, she began to experiment with online business ideas, eventually deciding candy making was the way to go. She spent $500 on ingredients to start experimenting with a recipe her grandmother used when Huynh was a child. By early 2022, she started selling her candy on Etsy. Before long, she was making an average of $3,000 a day. From there, sales quickly grew. Today, she’s the founder of Silky Gem, an online candy company known for their handmade confections. Last year, her business brought in over $9 million. She finally made enough to hire both of her parents, and now they all run the business together. Huynh she quickly learned that you can be your own worst enemy when you believe that you don’t have the talent or education to do anything. “You can do it if you put your mind to it. I didn’t graduate fifth grade, but because I put my mind to this, I make it work.”

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UK Bans Ads for Junk Food on Television and Online

On Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, all junk food ads are banned on television as part of the UK’s drive to tackle childhood obesity. The UK-wide ban stops foods and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar from being advertised on television before 9 p.m. and at any time online. The ban applies to products considered to be the biggest drivers of childhood obesity, including soft drinks, chocolates and other sweets, pizza and ice cream. The Food and Drink Federation — the equivalent of the FDA in the U.S. — said it’s committed to helping people eat healthy and has been voluntarily folowing the new restrictions since October. As well as more obviously unhealthy foods, the ban also covers some breakfast cereals, sweetened bread products, and sandwiches. Companies can still promote healthier versions of banned products, which the government hopes will lead to food makers developing healthier recipes.

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How Our Germaphobic Habits Are Actually Making Us Sick

We’re surrounded by products that keep us away from dirt: shopping cart covers, antibacterial soaps, hand sanitizer, disposable plates, and ultra-pasteurization for almost everything. The United States has become a hub for mysophobia or molysmophobia: a society terrified of dirt. When did germaphobia become so popular? It’s not a new thing. Infections have long been a legitimate societal fear. A possible contributor to our modern germaphobia may be an incomplete understanding of germs and bacteria. As technology has progressed, we have better grasped that microscopic agents can make us sick, but we haven’t evolved a precise understanding of which of these actually cause illness. This gap in knowledge has caused a wholesale avoidance of all things “dirty” and this may, in fact, be harming our health. Experts note that a little dirt helps create a healthy immune system, and the absence of these gentle immune builders can have long-term health consequences. Society and marketers teach us to focus on removing all dirt and microbes, but many health practitioners believe that in avoiding all bacteria, we've gone overboard in practices that damage both our health and our environment. Eventually, dirt will be washed off, but don’t overdo bathing. While hand washing with regular soap and warm water should be done frequently, a full bath need not happen every day. Focus on cleaning the sticky, the stinky, and the “Yikes! Don’t get that on the couch!” kind of dirt. For everything else, a proper run through the sprinkler might just be clean enough, leaving some healthy, immune-building dirt behind. Similarly, cleaning your home with antibacterial disinfectants full of toxic chemicals is largely unnecessary. Most everyday dirt and messes can be taken care of with warm, soapy water. It’s entirely possible to practice good hygiene while still getting a little dirty.

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How Often Levi’s Recommends Washing Your Jeans

Like a best friend, your jeans take care of you — but are you taking care of them? Although denim is durable and made to last for years to come, you can still do your part to maintain them as well. You might be surprised to learn that Levi’s, the famous maker of jeans, recommends washing them sparingly. They say over-washing them can ruin the unique characteristics of your jeans, such as the creases and fades that naturally develop with wear. Levi’s rule of thumb is to wash your jeans after about 10 wears, unless they’re visibly dirty or start to smell. Between washes, spot clean any stains with a mild soap and damp cloth or an old toothbrush. Contrary to what you’ve heard, Levi’s CEO Chip Bergh cautions against tossing your jeans in the freezer. While it’s been purported that doing so kills bacteria and removes oil that together cause odors, it doesn’t actually work. When you are ready to wash your jeans, Levi’s recommends:

• 1. Turn them inside out, which protects the outer color from fading and minimizes direct contact with chemicals and detergents.
• 2. Zip and button up everything, making sure they won’t snag once they’re in the washer.
• 3. Wash them with similar colors to prevent dye transfer.
• 4. Don’t overload the washing machine. Give your jeans enough space to move freely during the wash cycle, reducing the risk of damage.
• 5. Avoid fabric softener because they can leave a residue on denim that could affect texture and appearance.
• 6. Wash in cold water only to prevent color loss and shrinkage.
• 7. Choose the gentle cycle to reduce wear and tear on the fabric.
• 8. When your jeans are finished in the washer, air dry them, avoiding hanging them in direct sunlight. Using the dryer can damage denim, as well as shrink it. Air drying preserves the fit, color and fabric. The best method is to air dry them on a drying rack, which allows air to circulate around the jeans and speeds up the drying process.

 

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