Without capital or collateral, Nguyễn Thị Mười once thought that starting a business was impossible. However, everything changed when she learned about TYM.

In 2016, a turning point came when she took out a loan of 10 million VND from TYM—a small amount, but enough for her to open a small breakfast eatery. At first, she was unsure of what to sell, but TYM staff supported her step by step. Understanding her concerns, they suggested she sell simple breakfast dishes suitable for students and parents near a local school. Moreover, she received guidance on bookkeeping, distinguishing between capital and profit, which helped her gain confidence in managing her business.

After a year of proving the effectiveness of her venture, she received an increased loan of 30 million VND from TYM to invest in woodworking—a trade in which her husband had skills. In the following years, as the workshop became stable and required expansion, she borrowed up to 50 million VND. TYM’s approach was not to provide overwhelming loans all at once but to support her step by step, aligning with her family’s actual growth capacity.

Today, her family’s woodworking workshop generates over 100 million VND per year and provides jobs for many local workers. During stormy months, when business slowed down, she worried about making loan repayments on time. However, TYM loan officers reassured her, allowing her to repay gradually while helping her adjust short-term spending plans to maintain cash flow. This close support, understanding and companion prevented her from giving up.

Thanks to this, Nguyễn Thị Mười dared to dream big, take action, and achieve success—fulfilling TYM’s mission of empowering women economically, especially those in rural and mountainous areas, where opportunities often come slowly, but the desire to rise above hardships remains strong.

Beyond borrowing for business, Nguyễn Thị Mười has also consistently participated in TYM’s savings program, setting aside small amounts of just 200,000 VND per week. Though seemingly minor, these small savings have accumulated over time into a valuable financial cushion, giving her greater security in life. For women in mountainous areas where economic conditions remain constrained, developing a habit of saving weekly or monthly—like Mười—does not just provide a financial safety net but also fosters discipline, financial management skills, and a sense of responsibility for their own and their families’ futures.

Today, Mười is not just a TYM client; she is an inspiration within her community. She actively encourages women in her village to be bold in taking out loans, depositing savings, and doing business—just as she once found motivation from TYM officers. She shares: “If it weren’t for TYM’s support, I would probably still struggle with business considerations. Thanks to the dedicated guidance of TYM officers, I dared to think big and take action.”

Mười’s story is just one of thousands unfolding every day in rural and remote mountainous areas of Anh Sơn District, where women once thought: “I can’t.”

Quỳnh Trang
Transaction office 02 – TYM Đô Lương branch, Nghệ An province