Sokpheaktra-Soeurn joined JGG’s English language program in the 6th grade and went on to become a student teacher. After graduating high school, she studied business enterprise at university and lived in JGG’s Siem Reap dormitory.
While a university student, she worked full time for a company that marketed locally handmade cotton and silk fabrics — and continued working for this company while pursuing her MBA.
Despite her busy schedule, Sokpheaktra completed a free, 6-month entrepreneurial training program — and was awarded $700 in seed money to act on her dream of designing and marketing a stylish clothing line for women and men. She presented her business plan to the owner of the fabric company she worked for who agreed, with a few others, to partner with her in her new business: Visakha Fashion.
Today, Sokpheaktra is completing her MBA while selling her clothing at her business partner’s store in Siem Reap. She also advertises on Facebook (in Cambodia) and has established consignment sales at upscale Phnom Penh hotels. One day, she hopes to extend her company’s market reach beyond Cambodia.