The path is right beneath my feet.

For Pham Thi Hong Phuong, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City, failure is an inevitable part of the maturation process for young people, as long as they dare to keep moving forward.

Hong Phuong owns a cafe that sells drinks and pastries she makes herself. Although she graduated with a degree in Biotechnology, after gaining practical experience, Phuong realized her true passion was baking – not only because she enjoyed the flavors, but also because of the feeling of conveying warmth through each product. This young woman decided to quit her job in her field to pursue a career in the F&B industry with the goal of creating a place where people can relax, work, or simply find inspiration every day.

Phuong's future goal is to open a standalone bakery or combine it with her current coffee shop model, but in a larger space.

Phuong confided, "We're not always truly ready and in the best condition to start – what's important is daring to take the first step." Phuong reminded herself to do small things with a big heart because passion alone isn't enough; skills and discipline are also necessary. She honed her skills: bartending, space design, financial management, customer service… and sometimes did everything herself. Initially, Phuong only sold handmade cakes online, gradually learning from experience and accumulating capital. Three years later, she opened Bittersweet Cakery & Cafe. According to Phuong, "Bittersweet" represents two seemingly opposing shades, but when blended together, they create the true flavor of life. "Bitter and Sweet" symbolizes her journey – filled with hardship and discouragement, but also sweetness from seeing the smiles of customers, the support of loved ones, and the joy of living her dreams.

Instead of expanding rapidly without sufficient resources, Phuong focused on careful financial management and leveraged social media to strengthen connections and build a loyal customer base for the restaurant.

The shop gradually stabilized, creating its own unique identity. Phuong both directly baked the cakes and managed the business. Facing significant financial pressure and intense competition in the industry, Phuong prioritized the customer experience: from the quality of food and drinks to the ambiance, music , and a sense of familiarity. Besides maintaining its unique character, she continued to research, experiment, and develop new seasonal cake recipes. Ingredients and processing procedures were strictly controlled, even when costs increased.

Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, Phuong cherishes every memory with her family, customers, and staff; especially her close friend and current manager of the shop, who has always stood by her side.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/loi-di-ngay-duoi-chan-minh-196250621201228889.htm