Flower Business is tough, but interesting
This is the interview by Thu Hong - reporter of Business and Law magazine - to Mr. Pham Hoang Thai Duong - founder of Hoayeuthuong.com
CEO Pham Hoang Thai Duong: I started to work when I was still in school and I won Vietnam Talents for Apping IT for Children Education project. After that, I spent 3 years studying usefull information technology for kindergarden education. Now 80% of my project is used in all kindergarden school on over Vietnam such as Nutrikids and website www.mamnon.com
Reporter: Why didn't you continue with education technology but turn to flowers?
CEO: I started with education accidentally, but Software Outsourcing is still my favourite field so I gave all of my projects to a company so that they can continue to work on that. Then, I started in Software Outsourcing with a few friends. When we received funds from investors, there were changes in business strategies. In a meeting, when we could not agree in company strategies, I was forced to leave the company that I founded and began to start all over again. I was desperate and stay home for a while.
I was really upset and I first started with flowers for entertaining, and then I realized I can apply information technology into flower industry. I started from the smallest things, I made the flower arrangements myself and sold it. I got used to waking up at 3AM to buy flowers. I was in such difficulties and I accepted to do anything to re-open the company. I even brought my motorbike and, cell phone and camera to the pawn shop. I worked in my bedroom. Eventually, the business was better and I earned an amount of profit. I hired a small office, it is the center to operate and deliver flowers to all provinces in Vietnam now.
After 3 years, Hoayeuthuong.com started to gain the attention. We were so happy to be chosen as Google successful applying model. The other company is Unilever.
Reporter: What is your flower sources?
CEO: We use many sources, mainly there are 4: Dalat, the West, Cu Chi (mainly orchids) and imported flowers.
Reporter: What do you think about flower price?
CEO: Customers are getting used to professional services and quality. They may accept a double price for a better service and more beautiful, quality flowers. However, our target is to put quality on first priority and cut down the price by optimizing the procedure.
Reporter: How do you control the quality of the flower arrangements?
CEO: I control by procedure. For example: The whole procedure from the beginning when customers order flowers to the end is all controlled by software built by Hoayeuthuong.com. We had to take photo of all flower arrangements before delivering.