Brian Jeffrey
Woolen Crafts from Can Tho
Tran Bich Tuyen, hailing from Ninh Kieu district, has gained recognition in Can Tho City for her adorable woolen keychains and hairpins. These charming items have found markets overseas in places like the US and Australia.
Journey to Entrepreneurship
After finishing high school, Tuyen started her career in a footwear shop in Can Tho. She eventually transitioned to tailoring, earning about VND3 million a month after her training concluded.
Two years ago, she discovered handmade crafts through social media, sparking her interest in creating unique woolen products. This led her to pursue her own business venture.
“Initially, I crafted a few woolen hairpins for friends and family. As word spread and demand grew, I made the leap to selling my creations,” she shared.
Building a Business
This venture enables her to balance family life with her passion for crafting. In July 2023, she launched her online shop with a small initial investment of just VND750,000, focusing exclusively on woolen hairpins through e-commerce sites.
Within a year, Tuyen’s monthly revenue soared to VND80-90 million. After expenses, she enjoyed a net profit of VND20 million, a substantial amount in the online retail space.
Product Focus
Rather than broadening her product line, Tuyen emphasizes crafting handmade items that appeal to a younger audience, such as woolen bears, capybaras, hairpins, and miniature animal keychains designed to resemble popular cartoon characters.
“Our monthly output ranges from 4,000 to 5,000 products, priced between VND20,000 and several hundred thousand dong. Since starting, I’ve developed 400 designs for woolen keychains and around 500-600 types of woolen hairpins,” she mentioned.
Marketing and Growth
The busy mother promotes her products via her social media fan page and Facebook groups. By staying updated with trends and adapting her offerings to customer preferences, her brand has gained visibility as clients recommend her to others.
Her secret lies in crafting items that meet or exceed customer expectations.
Empowering Others
To broaden her business reach, Tuyen collaborates with approximately 30 workers, many being university students. They receive supplies like wool and tools from her to create products at home. Those who produce quality items can earn between VND1-7 million.
