Davis Nguyen, '22, expands booming coffee business in Vietnam

November 20, 2020
'Everything changed drastically when lockdown laws and prevention methods applied,' Nguyen said.

Davis Nguyen, ’22, took a gap semester at home in Vietnam because of COVID-19, and saw an opportunity to grow his coffee business.

“Everything changed drastically when lockdown laws and prevention methods applied,” Nguyen said.

He runs Teemay Coffee, with two cafés in Vietnam. Before the pandemic, his revenues totaled about $26,000. Since, hotels in the area have begun quarantining travelers for weeks, and the need arose for catered food and coffee for their guests.

“My first client came to me out of nowhere. I knew that the capacity of my business could supply the client’s request, so I jumped at the chance,” Nguyen said. “After that, I realized this could be a new market for me, so I utilized the opportunity.”

Nguyen now has three clients, including the Holiday Inn, for which he provides catered food and coffee. His business has more than tripled in revenue.

“I never thought I could do catering service myself, but I can,” Nguyen said.

“This is a good example of how companies have to pivot during the pandemic to meet the needs of a growing business,” said Joel Mier, lecturer in marketing. “His café does very well, but the pandemic created an opportunity for him to provide food for incoming travelers.”

He hopes to gain more clients in the coming months and continue growing his business.

“I hope to use this service to support the main vision of my business: to provide knowledge about specialty coffee,” Nguyen said.