AsiaLIFE

AsiaLIFE: Patricia, you are a relatively new arrival to Phnom Penh, what was your background before you came here?
Patricia Tan: I studied Digital Media in Pennsylvania, USA and worked as a creative designer for an online marketing firm in Philadelphia for one year before I moved to Cambodia.

What made you decide to make the switch from the U.S.?
I came to Cambodia to help my then boyfriend build the Hotel Cara. The hotel opened for business on Jul. 10, 2006. We tied the knot six months later.

After opening the boutique Cara Hotel you set about another ambitious project, Amara Spa – the first top-end spa on the riverfront. What made you decide to open Amara?
We wanted to diversify our investment portfolio, especially in the field of hospitality. Phnom Penh has been evolving at an extremely fast pace for the past couple of years. High-end real estate developments, nice boutique hotels and fancy restaurants are everywhere, but a genuine spa industry is almost ignored in this magnificent city. Therefore, we seized the opportunity to tap into this market and try to benefit from being the first.

Can you explain the philosophy behind Amara in greater detail?
Like Hotel Cara, Amara Spa is a design-driven establishment. It is one of the most comprehensive professional day spas in Phnom Pen. Therapists are highly trained professionals with a great attitude who will make your experience more enjoyable. Treatments are carefully crafted and tailor-made to offer clients great value for money without compromising quality. We offer a five-star experience at a three-star price. We believe in “luxury you can afford.”

The design of Amara is quite unlike any other spa in the capital, what was the inspiration behind it?
It is to offer a true sense of escape. The whole spa experience is all about senses, smell, sound, sight, touch and taste. With every natural element that was incorporated into the design and the décor as a whole, the intention was to connect with your lost touch of true nature.

As a woman, and a mother, how have you found running your own business in Cambodia?
It is quite enjoyable and extremely laid back running a business in Cambodia. I have found that Cambodians are less sexually discriminated when it comes to women running business compared with some other countries. It’s very common to see women running businesses in Cambodia. In fact, I’ve seen more women own and run businesses here in Cambodia than any other country I’ve lived in.

What networks are there here to help you do business?
Currently, there really aren’t any. I work very closely with my husband and staff. I have very limited networks outside of our family.

Finally, what plans - personal and business - do you have for the future?
The global financial crisis has inadvertently slowed business down in Cambodia as a whole, therefore, I don’t have plans to start a new business. This will give me more time to fine-tune all my existing businesses. As for my personal life, I just want to spend as much time as possible with my daughter and husband.


CV

 

Patricia Tan

 

Age: 31

 

President of Amara Spa

 

Vice-President of Hotel Cara

 

Nationality: Malaysian

 

Marital Status: Married with a 7-month-old baby girl

 

First came to Cambodia in: 2005