Each order is a time to build reputation

From the first orders of handmade turmeric starch to packages of coconut cakes, dried mango, and macadamia nuts, Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh (born in 1991, in Ngu Hanh Son, Da Nang City) has brought Do 37 products to many culinary events. Ms. Oanh's entrepreneurial journey is a story about a woman's aspiration to rise up with the belief that: Working from the heart will touch the heart.

From a small kitchen corner to a cooperative model

In 2016, after giving birth to her first child, Ms. Oanh chose the path of entrepreneurship with the intention of both having control over her time to care for her child and creating value for the community. She started by selling handmade turmeric powder.

Every day, she diligently posts, introduces her products, packages, and delivers each small order she makes herself. From the first orders supported by friends, she gradually gained new customers – people who trusted her products.

In 2017, she boldly established the Do 37 business with the business philosophy: "Quality as the foundation, customer-centric." Soon after, recognizing the booming trend of green consumption, she expanded her product line to include cereal powders, brown rice tea, turmeric powder, and other food products.

From its humble beginnings in a small kitchen, Do 37 has gradually transformed, entering the market with a more professional production process. In 2023, Ms. Oanh officially established the Do 37 Clean Agricultural Products Cooperative, bringing together many like-minded members to develop products and spread a green lifestyle.

For Ms. Oanh, the early days of her business were not only about taking the first steps in entrepreneurship but also about testing her perseverance and ability to overcome difficulties.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh and her products.

As a stay-at-home mom, juggling childcare and a production job with numerous tasks to handle in a single day—sourcing products, packaging, writing promotional content, responding to customers—her day starts very early and ends late.

Some nights, she only managed to get a few hours of sleep before waking up again to deal with orders. There were times when the products didn't meet expectations, orders were returned, costs increased, and the difficulties brought her spirits down. Some people advised her to stop the business to focus on her children, but she knew that if she stopped, she wouldn't be able to start again.

The challenge for someone starting from scratch like her lies not only in the lack of capital or experience, but also in balancing multiple roles simultaneously: being a mother, managing production, and running the business.

But it was precisely these challenges that forged her character, helping Ms. Oanh learn time management, improve her business knowledge, and seek support from local resources. Step by step, overcoming her own limitations, her entrepreneurial journey shows that with perseverance, even starting from a small kitchen, "entrepreneurial mothers" can achieve great things.

"You don't need to wait until you're good enough to start..."

Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, she has always had the companionship and support of the local Women's Union from the very beginning. "I used to be a young mother who knew nothing about business. Through the Union, I was able to attend training courses, connect with programs supporting women's entrepreneurship, and was encouraged to complete the procedures for registering and establishing a cooperative…".

Products from the Do 37 Agricultural Cooperative are featured at numerous food fairs.

Thanks to the support of the Association, Ms. Oanh was able to access loan capital, equipment, and management skills. The Association not only provides practical support for women entrepreneurs but also serves as a source of moral support, helping women to progress together.

Whenever she faces difficulties, Ms. Oanh seeks support from local Women's Union officials. "And when I'm trusted, I'll work harder to live up to that trust," Ms. Oanh expressed.

Starting a business doesn't necessarily have to begin with something grand. Just start with what you have, what you understand, and with honesty. Every small order builds credibility, and every setback teaches you something new.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh, Director of Do 37 Agricultural Products Cooperative

In addition, she received practical support from local programs such as a package of machinery and equipment worth 100 million VND from the Da Nang City Department of Industry and Trade, market connection activities, loan support, legal assistance, etc. These things helped her confidently transform from small-scale business to professional production.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, recognizing the potential for tourism development in Da Nang, she shifted her focus from products for domestic consumption to specialties catering to international tourists. Her nutritious cakes with coconut, dried mango, cashew, and macadamia nuts, beautifully packaged, have become a popular gift choice for many foreign visitors.

When asked about the values ​​she pursues in her business journey, Ms. Oanh said it's authenticity – from quality to the brand story. According to her, today's customers not only buy products but also care about the product's story.

"Customers don't need a perfect story. They need a real story. A stay-at-home mom who was exhausted from staying up all night packing orders, stressed out by losses, but still persevered because she believed she was doing something meaningful. I believe this will resonate with customers," she shared.

For her, women entrepreneurs may face many difficulties but also possess many strengths such as meticulousness, perseverance, sincerity, and the ability to take control of their own space. "We don't need to wait until we're skilled enough to start."

"Just start, correct mistakes, learn what you lack, rest when you're tired, and then keep going. As long as you don't give up, you'll get to where you want to be," she said. Starting a business isn't a bed of roses. And what helped her not give up was her family.

"My husband is my life partner, my supporter whenever I need him. He takes care of the children when I'm busy so I can focus on my work. Late at night, seeing me diligently packing orders, he lends a hand. Without my family, I wouldn't have made it this far."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh's startup project won second prize in the Ngu Hanh Son District Women's Startup Competition (2022) and first prize in the Da Nang City Women's Startup Competition (2023).

Contact information: Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh, Director of Do 37 Agricultural Products Cooperative; Address: 66 Le Dinh Chinh, Hoa Quy Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang City; Phone number: 0946596718.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/moi-don-hang-la-mot-lan-tao-dung-uy-tin-20250602163804537.htm