High-tech shop sells traditional products

Entrepreneur gave up safe job to start Tibetan business that has 'soul'

Sonam Droma quit her comfortable job in the public sector three years ago to set up an online store that sells traditional goods from the Tibet autonomous region.

She was tempted to make the move by the rapid growth of online shopping in the region that has been made possible by improvements to the information and logistics infrastructure.

Sonam Droma says her venture, Tibet Sonam Dorje Trade, is the first of its kind in Tibet to be operated by a Tibetan. It is also the first flagship store in Tibet that is part of Alibaba's Tianmao platform, the biggest player in China's business-to-consumer market.

"I was not eager to make a big instant profit," the 26-year-old from Lhasa said. "What I wanted to do was maintain a stable business, and the key to that is to never sell fake products."

She sells Tibetan handicrafts and other products that feature Tibetan elements, as well as Nepalese prayer beads.

The market for her business has spread across China and expanded overseas.

"The Nepalese prayer beads are my best-sellers, and my most faraway buyer was in Australia," she said.

Sonam Droma was encouraged to open the store by her husband, Wang Xin, a Han Chinese from Jilin province who loves Tibetan culture. He was given the Tibetan name of Tashi Dorje by a Tibetan Lama several years ago.

"Tibet is a holy place with a unique culture, and many products from Tibet are enriched with Tibetan cultural elements," said Wang Xin.

"I am a Buddhist, and my religion teaches me to sell genuine products and to be good to others," he added. "Some buyers want the products they buy to be consecrated by religious masters or the sacred monasteries of Tibet, and we respect their choices."

Wang Xin said the couple's income increased from 200,000 yuan ($32,110) in 2012 to 350,000 yuan last year.

"Making a profit is not our only goal," the 30-year-old said. "It's also a way of sharing Tibetan culture with the outside world."

Sonam Droma said outsiders can learn about Tibetan culture from the items they buy.

"Some people may not know what prayer beads mean to Tibetans, and we provide free consultations online," she said.

She ran the shop by herself at first, but now employs 10 staff members. She plans to further expand the business by increasing the range of Tibetan products offered by the shop.

"We hope to sell more products with Tibetan elements and, of course, quality is the soul of the business."

She has never regretted leaving her job to start the store.

"I feel more relaxed," she said. "I can do whatever I want - and I can make good money."