How we sold more than 50k portions of Tomyum annually

In one line, what do you do and what is your most significant achievement?

Thai Gastronomy's Decade milestone Unforgettable Flavours at Nirawan 9 and Thai Jai. We serve more than 50k portions of Tomyum annually, with more than 5000 members on board in the first 3 months of business.

Who are you and what business did you start?

A young boy's dream of becoming a chef led me on a journey that culminated in the opening of my restaurant, where his passion and dedication are reflected in every dish served. The Value proposition of Nirawan 9 and Thai Jai lies in its authentic and flavourful Thai cuisine, warm ambience, exceptional customer service, and commitment to using fresh sustainable ingredients (Own farm).

What's your backstory?

The problem of finding authentic Thai food in Kuching inspired me to open my own restaurant with my wife from Thailand. We embarked on a mission to create a dining experience that transported customers to the streets of Thailand.

What should be the first steps to take to enter your industry?

The most crucial first step is to research the local market thoroughly. Understanding customer preferences, popular trends, and competition will help you identify opportunities and make informed decisions about your concept, menu, location, and marketing strategies.

How did you spend your First 100 Days of launching your business?

We focus on establishing operations, to create awareness within the local community, customer acquisition, building partnerships, financial management, gathering data and feedback, and continuous learning.

Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain partnerships/customers?

1. Exceptional customer service

2. Quality products

3. Targeted marketing

4. Customer feedbacks

5. Reward programs

6. Partnership benefits

7. Consistent branding

What has taken you from 0 to 100?

These are a few rules I live by

1. Find a great team

2. Create a great system

3. Be strict on quality control

4. Never take shortcuts

5. Keep fighting yourself for improvement

6. Be eager for perfection

7. Be humble

8. Keep travelling to meet more people to enhance yourself

What is one underrated thing in your industry that business owners should start doing/using?

One underrated thing in the F&B industry that business owners should start doing is leveraging technology effectively. This includes implementing digital tools for online ordering, delivery management, inventory tracking, customer relationship management and data analytics to improve customer experience and drive business growth.

What was one failure you had to go through that others in your industry should look out for?

One of the failures is not conducting good market research and developing a solid business strategy for success. Without proper research, businesses may struggle to attract customers, differentiate themselves, or meet the demands of the target audience.

What platform/tools do you use for your business?

1. Popcorn Pos System

2. Xero Accounting

3. Rocket Membership Software

4. Social Media (Facebook, Instagram & Tik Tok)

How are you doing today and what does the future look like?

I do believe there is a lot to improve now and the future will be on technology integration, health focus, delivery and takeout expansion, and diverse dining experiences.