Despite Covid 19, Young Women Entrepreneur Elevates Income with Digital Marketing Skill Equipped
“I don’t have a good location for my business at all. Thanks to the creation of Facebook page and digital marketing knowledge, my business became more noticeable, and I am being able to make more income from it.”, said Teng Thida, the owner of Thida Salon and Thida Embellishment.
Ms. Teng Thida, 32, is a young women entrepreneur based in Phnom Penh. She started as a student in a beauty salon for 3 years until 2012, and then, she brought her dream of having her own salon to live. To run this business, she mentioned that she faced a lot of challenges especially the location of the business, and the lack of knowledge to promote the business. “My shop is not located in a busy area and is not very noticeable. Beside the villagers, I don’t think others would know my business. I noticed that I don’t earn the same income as I used to from my previous job. My business mainly depends on word of mouth”, Thida mentioned.
Teng Thida, 32, the owner of Thida Salon and Thida Embellishment
Thida is a curious entrepreneur and a risk taker. In 2018, after seeing growth in her salon, she decided to expand her service to wedding make-up, without having enough capital. Her business strategy was to accept the booking and use the deposit to rent the material and Khmer traditional clothes to prepare the celebration for her customers. Until now, her business can have owned materials.
In 2019, COVID-19 occurred and made a dramatic change in access to market of young women entrepreneur in Cambodia. There is a noticeable shift of business moving from physical to online present.
USAID’s WE Act project partnered with Meta (Facebook) to bring #SheMeansBusiness: Digital Marketing Training (SMB) to Cambodia and provide the digital marketing knowledge, resources, and tools to young women entrepreneurs. Through a series of workshops, training sessions and online resources, SMB provides women entrepreneurs with practical visual content production modules, business connections and network, skills, and technology required to grow their businesses.
Thida received the information of SMB from a trainer. “What caught my interest that time was the word “digital” and that inspired me to apply for the program. I found it is difficult at first because I don’t know how to use computer much. Luckily, the trainer can also do the demo on phone, so that I can follow. I also get chances to ask other trainees about questions I have. I find all lessons important because I am a beginner, and it is all new to me. The apps are very practical for me. I can use all of them to create the creative and attractive contents to post.” Thida emphasized.
Due to COVID-19, the celebration or gathering was banned, and it affects to many businesses. Thida’s business also received the same impact. Thida added that “During this time, I keep my page active by posting the pictures of my work or old videos several times a week, so that, the customers or followers on the page remember my business. I can sustain my business by doing some promotions and discounts when the situation gets better.”
Despite Covid 19, Thida can increase her income with new digital marketing skill through SMB program. “Since joining the class, I noticed my sale is increased, and a lot of new customers discover my business. My customers told me that they discovered me through Facebook page, and I am incredibly happy that the knowledge of Digital Marketing I learned is practical and can be applied to my business and received fruitful result. Facebook Page is as important as my physical store. It increased the trust from the customers. I never expect this result. I am motivated to continues learning these kinds of practical knowledge.”.
Thida and her students provided the service to her customer
#SheMeansBusiness, started by Meta (Facebook) in 2016, to celebrate and empower women entrepreneurs across Asia Pacific. Through a series of workshops, training sessions and online resources, #SheMeansBusiness will aim women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, connections, skills, and technology required to build and grow their business online. The initiative will run in collaboration with business leaders, civil society, NGOs, and the public sector across the region.
Find out more about WE Act on Facebook
