A small business owner from Savannakhet province believes that low prices with a modest profit is the best way to have a successful business.
The owner of a fish noodle soup stall, Ms Tick, said yesterday that there are many small businesses in the central province like hers and most of them think the same way.
She has had her shop for nearly 10 years and her soup is very popular among local and foreign visitors not only because of its low price but also because it is quite delicious.
“At first, we tried to sell at a higher price but found our customers were not willing to pay. So we reduced the price and now we sell out every day,” she explained.
The noodle soup stall is located in the city of Savannakhet at Xaynhaphoum village Kaysone Phomvihane district, and is known as Nang Tick Khaopiak Pa (Ms Tick fish noodle soup) by locals. Since 2003, her fish noodle soup has become famous among the residents of Savannakhet and visitors from various provinces as well as visitors from Thailand and Vietnam.
“I also believe that cooking in the traditional style of boiling noodles in the fish soup is attracting my customers and we will not change,” Ms Tick explained.
The stall has tables and seats for 20 customers and is open from 6am. She generally sells out within about four hours. It is a small stall but very popular.
A visitor from Vientiane, Mr Daoviet Sisomsay said ,“It’s cheap, it’s only 6,000 kip to 8,000 per bowl and the taste is very good.”
“If they were to sell in Vientiane, I think their business would be very successful because I cannot find fish noodle soup that tastes that good there,” he explained.
Ms Tick said some visitors also take her fish noodle soup home after eating.
“Many people advise me to find a better place to set up my business but I don’t want to because if I have to rent a house or shop it is very expensive and we would have to charge more,” she said.
It costs, Ms Tick and her family about 600,000 kip per day to prepare the soup, and they make a profit of about 100,000 kip after selling 120 bowls.
During the interview, the owner would not reveal the secret of her recipe but would say that they only used good quality fish in the dish.
By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
August 8, 2009
Vientiane Times
