Thaung Thyda, a young female entrepreneur from Cambodia, has made waves with her remarkable journey as the founder of Thaung Enterprise, a business dedicated to promoting the natural salt products of Kampot province. Her story is not only one of personal resilience but also one of community transformation and cultural pride. From humble beginnings in a family of salt farmers, Thyda has managed to grow a local community enterprise into a business with international reach, all while fostering economic opportunities, particularly for women in her community. Her ambition to make Kampot’s salt a global staple is a testament to her perseverance and commitment to her roots.
A Vision Born from Experience
Although entrepreneurship wasn’t her initial dream, Thyda’s academic background shaped her vision for Thaung Enterprise. She began her educational journey in France, where she obtained her diploma, and later earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Royal University of Law and Economics. As a child, she aspired to be a scientist and didn’t consider a future in business. However, her studies abroad broadened her perspectives and ignited a desire to help her community in a meaningful way.
After returning to Cambodia, Thyda recognized the potential of Kampot’s natural salt, a unique product that hadn’t received the attention it deserved internationally. She noticed how local farmers struggled to earn a fair income despite producing premium-quality salt, and she began envisioning a business that would both uplift the farmers and showcase Cambodia’s salt to the world.
Building Thaung Enterprise Against All Odds
In 2016, Thyda established Thaung Enterprise, building upon her family’s legacy in salt farming. Covering 300 hectares of land, Thaung Enterprise now collaborates with 27 families and employs a workforce that is 80% female. While the enterprise started as a small-scale operation, it has since become a vital source of income and empowerment for the community.
The early days of Thaung Enterprise were marked by immense challenges. Not only did Thyda face skepticism from her family, who worried about the lack of income in the business’s initial stages, but she also encountered the complexities of educating farmers on international quality standards. “Many farmers were unaccustomed to the stringent standards required for export, and it took numerous meetings and discussions to help them understand the importance of quality,” Thyda recalls.
At one point, Thyda even had to deliver products herself to customers, juggling multiple roles to keep her vision alive. The journey was tough, and she almost gave up. However, her determination to bring positive change to the salt farming community kept her going. Eventually, her hard work paid off, and her family began to see the value in her vision, lending their support. Her dedication has since garnered the trust of both the farmers she works with and customers around the world.
Thriving Amidst Challenges and Celebrating Achievements
Thaung Enterprise has endured its share of setbacks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which hindered sales both locally and internationally. Yet Thyda used these obstacles as learning experiences, focusing on quality control and researching international market demands to position her product effectively. Her persistence has been recognized through multiple accolades, including the 2018 Cambodia Young Women Entrepreneur Award and a second-place finish in the 2020 National Entrepreneurship Awards. Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Thyda also serves as a lecturer of International Business at NUM International College and represents Cambodia as a Terra-Madre delegate for the Slow Food Foundation.
These accomplishments aren’t just personal milestones; they embody her commitment to putting Kampot salt on the global map and enhancing Cambodia’s reputation as a source of high-quality natural products. Today, Thaung Enterprise produces up to 50,000 tons of salt annually, supplying both domestic and international markets. The enterprise’s success highlights the potential of local products when combined with quality assurance and targeted marketing strategies.
A Legacy of Empowerment and Inspiration
Thyda’s vision extends beyond building a successful business—she is passionate about creating opportunities for others, especially women. By providing stable employment to women in her community, she aims to improve lives and encourage self-sufficiency among her employees. Her story serves as a powerful example for young Cambodian women, illustrating that with hard work and resilience, they too can create impactful businesses that honor their cultural heritage while reaching new heights.
For young Cambodians, especially women who aspire to be entrepreneurs, Thyda’s story is an inspiration to dream big and seize the chance to create change. She emphasizes, “Building a business is about more than just profit. It’s about uplifting your community, preserving your traditions, and showing the world what Cambodia has to offer.”
In transforming Thaung Enterprise from a family-run operation into a professional medium enterprise, Thyda has proven that local businesses can thrive on the global stage without compromising quality or values. Her journey exemplifies the impact of passion-driven entrepreneurship, and her success story paves the way for more Cambodian women to rise as business leaders and ambassadors of their culture.
