Stories

Pearls carve the way to business success for young Thai entrepreneur

11 August 2015
ITC News
Find out how a Thai entrepreneur in her twenties translated her desire for fashionable and affordable pearls into a successful business.


Jongjin Jungsura is a woman entrepreneur born and raised in Thailand, with degrees in business administration and international management. She worked in hospitality for several years before co-founding Matara, her pearl jewellery business. She shares her story about how she decided to start her own business.

Why did you become an entrepreneur?

I became an entrepreneur while trying to solve my own problem with buying pearls. In my local market, it is not very easy to find or buy authentic pearls. They are all sold in expensive, old-fashioned stores that no one from my generation goes to. Then I realized that many people have the same problem buying them. So my business inspiration was born and I thought to myself, why not create an affordable and authentic pearl jewellery brand with modern, minimalistic designs?

How has it changed your life and the lives of people around you?

After I started my business, I learned many things and realized that a business can make profits as well as help the wider community. Many of our customers didn’t know that all of our products are handmade by one of the most talented artisans in Thailand. I believe that it is my role to help people recognize the quality of the handcrafted jewellery made by Thai people. With our expansion into international markets, it is clear that this has allowed us to bring more exposure to the talents of Thai artisans. With this, I hope that one day the phrase ‘Made in Thailand’ will become one of the most recognized terms for quality, not only for jewellery, but for all handcrafted products.

What would you like others to know?

Business ideas might come from your own problems.