“Life is about contributing to oneself. Existence is about giving away what we collect. I voluntarily become the legs for people with disabilities,” - these are deeply moving words from Ms. Tran My Quyen, the Director of Thinh Minh An Limited Company, a passionate young entrepreneur dedicated to handicraft products created by people with disabilities in Da Nang.
Thinh Minh An Limited Company is a startup focusing on the development of the tourism sector through connectivity, while simultaneously supporting the development of products for people with disabilities in Da Nang. Ms. Tran My Quyen shared that her "affinity" with people with disabilities and handmade products came from observing that the majority of them face health challenges, have difficulties in mobility and communication, and struggle economically due to the limited market for their products. People with disabilities in the community mostly rely on groups and associations for information. Despite their strong vitality, many face challenges in accessing information about policies, markets, consumer preferences, or how to promote the products they make. Therefore, they need support and basic knowledge to start a business, escape poverty, and develop.
After resigning from her position as a general coordinator at the Office of the National Assembly Delegation and the People's Council of Da Nang City for 14 years, Ms. Tran My Quyen founded Thinh Minh An Limited Company, starting with a focus on tourism. However, she always struggled with the idea of how to help people with disabilities sell the handmade products they put their sweat and tears into.
Through connecting, collaborating, and accompanying people with disabilities in Da Nang, her company gained valuable experience in handmade products created by disabled workers. Ms. My Quyen affirmed that people with disabilities have the ability to start businesses, and the crucial aspect is providing them with initial information and support. She shared, "We closely follow the market to find customers, order handmade products, and help people with disabilities introduce their handmade products to tourists and consumers. The company also promotes these products through various media channels, hoping to contribute a small part to finding markets for products made by people with disabilities."
Since then, the young entrepreneur has visited numerous households, exploring unique products made by people with disabilities in Da Nang and introducing them widely at fairs and exhibitions both in and outside the city.
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Products made by people with disabilities
With the sole goal of "finding markets, restoring mobility, giving people with disabilities confidence and continuous innovation, and keeping them passionate about labor to overcome life's pressures and insecurities," many individuals and residents of Da Nang, as well as tourists, have shown interest and support for products created by people with disabilities.
However, alongside limitations in communication, customer access, and opportunities to reach the market, both online and offline, the most significant current challenge for people with disabilities is how to create product models, packaging, and brand protection for the products they make.
Therefore, Ms. Quyen is currently in the process of registering trademarks for her business's logo, along with main product groups such as the group of bamboo models by Engineer Hua Van Minh; the group of recycled fabric hand-held bags embroidered by disabled women at the Research and Support Center for Community Integration; the group of handcrafted scrolls by Ms. Ho Thi Lang (winner of the First Prize in the 2023 Hoa Vang District Startup Competition); the group of paintings and keychains featuring Da Nang by the My Nghiep Xuan Moi Fine Arts Production Establishment (Non Nuoc); and the group of crocheted products by Ms. Huynh Thu Giang.
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Program "Finding in leaves - Leaves in heart"
Thinh Minh An Limited Company, led by Ms. Tran My Quyen, has introduced and provided business skills and startup support for dozens of individuals and cooperatives owned by people with disabilities. Recently, with the program “Finding in Leaves – Leaves in the Heart” organized by Ms. My Quyen, many recycled products for environmental sustainability have been connected by people with disabilities in Da Nang. Sharing the significance of this program, the Director of Thinh Minh An Limited Company said, “We want to contribute to supporting and bringing the recycled products of people with disabilities to the community. It's also a way to empower them to overcome difficulties in life. We will continue to organize many support programs and voluntary activities in the coming year to create more opportunities for people with disabilities to start businesses, stabilize their lives, and confidently have their passionately made products accepted by the community.”
It can be said that, with the daring spirit of a young entrepreneur, Ms. Tran My Quyen has “added wings to people with disabilities in Da Nang,” providing opportunities for many units and businesses to learn about the products of people with disabilities and support them in connecting with consumers.
In recent years, Da Nang City has been building favorable mechanisms to help the community of people with disabilities start businesses. From the perspective of people with disabilities, they have the ability to create valuable products to improve the economy, even getting rich from their own products. Successful disabled entrepreneurs also become bridges connecting tourists and consumers with the products of the disabled community, helping them improve their quality of life, change their self-perception, confidently integrate into society, and create many useful values for the community./.
