PROJECT: Your Business Solution, Cambodia
Accounting outsourcing and financial consulting for Cambodian businesses.

In Cambodia, many small businesses and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) lack the resources to set up correct accounting procedures. Many begin their operations without a good bookkeeping system in place, leading to inefficiency and financial transparency issues. Critical decisions are often based on dated or incomplete financial information, undermining the effectiveness of their organisation.

Determined to change all this, Chenda Chhay plans to create Your Business Solution, an accounting firm that meets the needs of NGOs and startups. Chenda has already equipped a number of NGOs with the accounting systems they require to operate efficiently. With over 2,000 registered NGOs in Cambodia, there is a significant demand for this kind of work.

"I was inspired to launch this project because I've seen a growing need for local, quality accounting resources", says Chenda. '"he big accounting firms in Cambodia are too costly for local NGOs and businesses. As their primary focus is audits and taxation, they do not usually offer basic accounting services and training. Your Business Solution will fill this gap by providing inexpensive, customized accounting solutions."

Chenda will regularly visit these organisations in person to monitor their procedures. With her intimate knowledge of local institutions, she is well placed to offer advice that takes account of their specific needs.

Born and educated in Phnom Penh, Chenda drew upon her university background and six years of professional accounting experience to develop her business plan. Your Business Solution will initially provide web-based accounting and financial management consulting to Cambodian companies, expanding its services to international organisations in the long term.

Empowering the people

By providing affordable and accessible accounting services, Chenda hopes to change the face of Cambodian society. She says, "Your Business Solution will have a dramatic impact on local NGOs and small businesses, improving their ability to develop the country effectively."

Chenda also aims to provide opportunities for victims of discrimination who frequently struggle to find employment. "As well as employing trained accountants, we intend to recruit from disadvantaged groups, including landmine amputees and former sex workers", she explains. "Our goal is to provide these individuals with the tools they need to launch a successful career."

Natural born entrepreneur

Passionate about the cause, Chenda is eager to get her business off the ground and rolling. She has already contacted local and international companies that might be interested in her services.

Chenda first heard about the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards by word of mouth. She says, "This is a very exciting opportunity for women. In my country, it's hard for females to be entrepreneurs: men are usually the top bosses. I want to overcome this problem and set an example for other women."

PROJECT: Tamang Timpla Foods Inc., Philippines
A food manufacturing startup that promotes naturally pure and healthy Filipino foods.

Renee Francesca King: "Bringing Filipino flavours to the world"

A recent graduate of Ateneo de Manila University with a major in Business Management, Renee Francesca King is motivated to turn Tamang Timpla Foods Inc., her food startup dedicated to pure and healthy Filipino food products, into an international success.

In 2006, Renee teamed up with fellow female students Jenica Cruz, Caroline Cua and Gabbie Ocampo to enter their university's School of Management Business Accelerator Program. The course enables participants to design and start their own business, with the guidance of professors and successful entrepreneurs from various industry sectors. The four aspiring businesswomen came up with the idea for Tamang Timpla Foods, Inc. and launched their pioneer product, Kusina Klassics Kalamansi Squeeze.

A refreshing idea

Calamansi, a small citrus fruit native to the Philippines, is widely used in food preparation, seasoning and drinks. However, it is difficult and time-consuming to prepare. Renee's idea was to develop Kalamansi Squeeze, a convenient, ready-squeezed calamansi concentrate with a shelf life of six months. Unlike existing products on the Filipino market, Kalamansi Squeeze is all-natural and contains no added sweeteners. Renee says, "By bottling calamansi extract, we're giving people a convenient and healthy source of calamansi while supporting local calamansi growers and creating new jobs."

From university project to fully-fledged enterprise

So far, the "Kalamansi Girls", as they were known at university, have successfully marketed their signature product in bazaars, Sunday markets and specialty shops within metropolitan Manila. Kalamansi Squeeze is already travelling the world, with customers buying it as a gift to send to their family and friends in Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Dubai, America and beyond.

Within the year, the business partners aim to open an office and production facility that meets local and international food manufacturing standards. Moving forward, they hope to obtain a patent, increase the product's shelf life to one year and develop a business strategy to expand sales to local restaurants, cafés, caterers and hotels. Renee explains, "Our current focus is on improving our business communication skills so that we can enter new markets and increase production. With the help of the coaches from Cartier, McKinsey and INSEAD, we hope to optimize our strengths and overcome the challenges we face as an up-and-coming small business."

In the long term, Tamang Timpla Food, Inc. hopes to create new products and export them worldwide, especially to areas with significant numbers of overseas Filipino workers. For Renee, her business goes beyond being a food provider; it is a way of spreading Filipino culture around the world. She says, "I see food as a cultural vessel. I hope that our company's products will give people across the globe an appreciation of Filipino cuisine. We aim to be cultural ambassadors for our country."

PROJECT: Your Kitchen, China
Providing Shanghai commuters with fresh, healthy, organic food.

Wu Man: "Making life more organic even on the go!"

There's no shortage of fast food restaurants in Shanghai: 5,000 new ones opened in 2005 alone. Although undeniably convenient, most of these establishments serve unhealthy foods that contribute to the city's increasing rates of obesity, cholesterol and heart disease.

Shanghai resident Wu Man believes there's an easy way for people to eat more healthily, even if it has to be "on the go". Her company, Your Kitchen, will offer fresh, pre packaged organic food that only takes a few seconds to buy and a few minutes to prepare at home. She says, "Our goal is to change unhealthy eating habits and ultimately, unhealthy life habits. Good nutrition should be a reality for all."

Your Kitchen will initially sell its organic meal kits in Shanghai office buildings and metro stations on the 1 and 2 lines, which nearly 5 million people take to and from work each day. "The Shanghai metro is one of the busiest in China," says Wu Man. "Many commuters are aware that they should be eating healthy food, and have a desire to, but simply don't have access to it. That's where Your Kitchen comes in."

Your Kitchen's organic meal kits will consist of some 20 appetizing combinations of vegetables and meats, guaranteed all-natural and preservative free. Wu Man plans to keep her customers coming back for more by offering two daily specials and seasonal food.

Upwardly mobile meals

While all commuters will be potential customers, Your Kitchen will mainly target young, urban professionals. Some 1.3 million people between the ages of 22 and 45 live in Shanghai, Wu Many of whom are well-educated and have prestigious jobs with long working hours. A survey found that while Wu Many of these potential customers want to prepare healthy home-cooked meals, they don't have the time or energy during the week.

"I was a white collar worker in Shanghai for quite some time," Wu Man says. "Eating a healthy, well-balanced meal was always a challenge. I didn't have time to prepare a meal but was reluctant to resort to fast food. There's definitely a niche for a healthy, low cost, fast food alternative that can be prepared quickly at home."

Wu Man hopes that Your Kitchen will be operating at five different locations by the end of 2009. Initially, she aims to sell 150-200 meal kits at each locale per day. In the meantime, she's perfecting the recipes for her meal kits and working on improving her brand image. In the long term, she intends to sell her products in major chain stores throughout China and online through her company's website.

Entrepreneurial drive

Wu Man earned her undergraduate degree from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and her Masters of Commerce from the University of Sydney. Her entrepreneurial spirit first took root at Beijing University, where she and a few friends designed and sold a popular range of socks on campus. This successful initiative taught her to always keep an eye out for a need waiting to be met.

"I have a brave spirit and a lot of grit," she says. "I know Your Kitchen will be a success, but working with Cartier will give us added impetus!"