Turning views into ventures with Nhi Li

Welcome to “Turning Views into Ventures,” where creativity meets strategy and channels become businesses. Each month, we spotlight standout YouTube creators who’ve transformed their channels into thriving businesses. Discover how they knew it was time to take things to the next level, the strategies that helped them grow, and the lessons they learned along the way. This series shows that YouTube isn’t just a platform for views—it’s a launchpad for opportunity, impact, and long-term success. Whether you're building momentum or exploring what’s next, this is your roadmap to unlocking the full potential of your channel.

This edition, you’ll hear from Nhi Li, who has redefined what it means to be an entrepreneur and an educator!

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your channel and your business!

I’m Nhi Le, a Vietnamese entrepreneur, investor, and business coach based in Singapore. I started my YouTube channel in 2019 to make free, high-quality psychology education available to Vietnamese youth and women worldwide. From a difficult childhood to becoming a single mother, I learned to rebuild life through self-education and resilience. That journey inspired me to create NHILE Holding and N-Edu, an education ecosystem supported by the NhiLe Foundation. Together with over 5,000 active members, we’re helping underprivileged Vietnamese children access education and leadership opportunities. Today, my channel and coaching programs have become platforms for sustainable business education, self-awareness development, and positive transformation, inspiring a new generation of ethical Vietnamese leaders.

At what point did you know you could start turning your channel into something more?

In the early days, success meant survival—sharing what I knew while raising my daughter alone.

The turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic when my videos reached millions of views. I saw how free education could change lives and realized YouTube could be more than content—it could become a movement. That’s when I started building structured programs and vocational training, transforming the channel into a social impact business.

How do you define success today compared to when you were just starting out?

Back then, success meant keeping my dream alive.

Today, success is measured by impact—nurturing future leaders, helping disadvantaged children learn, and building a strong, ethical Vietnamese community that thrives globally.

We’re now entering a new stage: preserving Vietnamese art and culture, offering free job training, and teaching AI and tech skills so young people can find meaningful work. From day one, our principle has been “we build to give back,” running our ecosystem with ESG standards and a commitment to people and nature.

Can you share a specific example of how your YouTube content directly contributed to the growth or success of your business?

In 2020, a video on emotional intelligence and leadership went viral, prompting hundreds of viewers to seek guidance. This inspired me to launch my “Your Life” and “Your Brand” coaching programs—now core parts of my business.

Many students have become successful entrepreneurs and community leaders, saying my videos were their first step.

YouTube has also become my shortcut business card—a space where entrepreneurs instantly understand who I am and what I stand for, opening doors to authentic collaborations and business partnerships.

How has your direct interaction and feedback from your YouTube audience shaped the products or services you offer through your business?

Listening to my audience has been key. Thousands shared their struggles—limited education access, lack of leadership guidance, and few safe spaces for learning.

This feedback shaped everything we do:

Practical, culturally rooted programs in psychology, leadership, and entrepreneurship
The upcoming AI-powered app “Nơi,” giving every Vietnamese child a chance to learn leadership and emotional intelligence for free
Initiatives to preserve traditional crafts and create jobs for local artisans

Every product and service we offer started with a conversation with our viewers.

What advice would you give to a budding creator who dreams of turning their YouTube channel into a thriving business?

Start by creating real value, not chasing revenue. Serve your audience with honesty, teach freely, and focus on making a difference.

Challenges will come, but each is a lesson that makes you stronger. Build a vision bigger than yourself—one that uplifts others and leaves a positive mark on society. When you lead with purpose, your channel can become more than a business—it can become a force for change.