Women Entrepreneurs' Challenge: Solving Social Issues through Entrepreneurship Vol. 4 – E-commerce Business Opportunities in Cambodia

In this fourth installment, we delve into the journey of Ms. Daneth Rasmey and Ms. Sokmey Ty, co-founders of Tenbox, a B2B (business-to-business) e-commerce platform that bridges suppliers, predominantly grocery stores like supermarkets, with restaurants and retail outlets. Amidst Cambodia's burgeoning e-commerce landscape, characterized by the rapid emergence of B2C (business-to-customer) platforms like Food Panda and Nyam 24, Daneth and Sokmey identified a gap in the market: the absence of B2B platforms. 

(Daneth) About 7 years ago, while attending university in Phnom Penh, we started a fried chicken stall at the market in front of the university to make some extra money. Our days began with early mornings, opening the stall, procuring ingredients from suppliers, cooking, managing operations, and attending university in the evenings. After three years of living that way, we were exhausted. Once I graduated from college, I decided to gain experience in the corporate world, therefore, Sokmey worked in finance, and I worked for a marketing company. The onset of the 2021 global pandemic prompted us to reconsider our paths and reignite our entrepreneurial aspirations. Reflecting on my past experience of running a fried chicken stall, I recalled the challenges of sourcing ingredients from the market and managing inventory. I thought that since e-commerce such as Food Panda was progressing in Cambodia, a similar system could be implemented in the B2B market. I already knew some suppliers from my previous experience of running a store, so I created a simple Facebook page to see if anyone would purchase from it, and then orders started to come in. 

(Daneth) I saw the call for application on CIC's Facebook page and decided to give it a try. Most of the existing accelerator programs in Cambodia are one-time programs that end with a pitch contest. However, Cnai was very practical, with 100 questions answered from the beginning, and a graph showing where my business and my business knowledge was lacking. In addition, by setting OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) with the Cnai team and receiving weekly accompaniment and support, I felt that I was not just participating in a business competition, but that I was building a business together with the Cnai team. Whereas other accelerator programs focus on “what you have done so far”, Cnai asked “what you want to accomplish in the future”. We worked on the assignments fter work close to midnight, but I have learned a lot of practical business skills since joining the program.

(Daneth) Actually, as female entrepreneurs, I don't think we face any particular obstacles or problems. Rather, people are sometimes kind to us because we are women. As our business expands in the future, though, the way people may look at us differently.

(Daneth) Previously we had not taken gender data from our clients. However, at the recommendation of Cnai team, we are preparing to have our customers include their gender data when they register for the app. We have learned that taking data on male and female customers to gain a deeper understanding of their usage and purchasing habits is critical to developing a clear strategy for business growth.

(Sokmey) We would like to expand the variety of products we handle and extend our business into supplying stationery to offices and amenities to hotels.
　
(Daneth) We are also looking to expand into household products and into rural cities outside of urban areas. Eventually, we would like to expand beyond Cambodia to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, etc.). Suppliers will be able to sell their products in multiple countries by using the Tenbox platform.

(Daneth) Find your own strengths and play to them and build a team that complements your weaknesses. If you focus only on the difficulties, you will never get anything started. Diversity is also important. We brought a senior male onto the team as COO (Chief Operating Officer) who has a different perspective than we do. His viewpoint and managerial skills are key in overseeing delivery operations. Similarly, we welcomed a male CTO (Chief Technology Officer) to lead our technological endeavors.

(Sokmey) You have to identify what you love to do. Starting a business is not easy. It is important to understand the possible risks, deal with them, and never give up.

Tenbox is a promising startup that received an investment from Choice Accelerator, a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage startups, while participating in the Cnai Accelerator Program. As highlighted in the interview, the two young female entrepreneurs are pioneering new approaches. Their entrepreneurial journey mirrors the tenacity and agility, powered by a resilient entrepreneurial spirit. They have been exhibiting thier ability to identify and capitalize on business opportunities, which moves Tenbox towards success in the competitive market landscape.