Description: Girls from Chiang Mai to global brand owners
Natthida Sriwanna, or “Nat”, is a northern girl who grew up in the beautiful nature of Chiang Mai and still remembers the days when she ran in her grandparents’ longan garden. Today, she lives in Bangkok with her two daughters Mint and May, aged 12 and 8.
“They are beautiful, smart, creative Thai girls.” Nat smiles proudly and says, “It’s hard not to be impressed by who Nat is. I think growing up in Chiang Mai gave me that combination of simplicity, northern warmth, and modernity when I moved to Bangkok.” Perhaps this is why she has been able to build an impressively strong community for her “Thai Unicorn” brand.
From Office to Business Owner
The two-hour conversation with Nat passed quickly. Her career, she told me, has been challenging.
“I started my accounting career in a private company and worked there for five years, but I didn’t feel it was working for my life. So I quit my job, started a little bit of online selling, and then I became a full-fledged online store.”
Nat continued, “A major turning point came when I read a book about e-commerce. I realized that just having an online store was not enough. It needs a strong and meaningful brand. Therefore, I began to seriously study trademark registration and online community building.”
The Inspiration Behind the Thai Unicorn
“My best friends often call me a unicorn because I can juggle so many things in my life, including my day job, my personal business, and raising my two kids,” Nat said with a laugh. “At first, I didn’t understand why she called me that, because I’m not a sweet person. But when I think about it, a woman who can stand on her own strong in today’s society—that’s a true unicorn.”
Nat ran into a problem when she wanted to use the unicorn emoji on social media: “I noticed that unicorns in different media were usually Western, and there was nothing Asian or Thai. So I decided to create unicorns in my own way.”
Professional Branding
Nat places great emphasis on the branding process of the system.
“The first thing I did was trademark registration. The process took nearly two years and required several revisions, but it was well worth it because it allowed my brand to be legally protected.”
She stressed the importance of creating a unique identity:
“My Thai unicorns are not only beautiful patterns, but each design has meaning. I use colors that reflect Thai culture, incorporate modern Thai motifs, and more importantly, showcase Asian women in a strong and independent way.”
Online Community Building Strategy
Nat shares key strategies for building strong online communities:
- Storytelling: “I tell the story behind each design, whether it’s inspired by Thai culture or women fighting for their dreams.”
- Engagement: “I respond to everyone’s comments on the page and regularly organize live Q&A sessions.”
- Value Proposition: “Thai unicorns are not just clothing, but a symbol of modern female strength and status.”
- Consistency: “I regularly post quality content on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.”
Challenges and Solutions
Nat reveals the obstacles she faces:
“The biggest problem is plagiarism. After the brand became widely known, people used our patterns for counterfeit products many times. But since we have registered the trademark, we can take legal action.”
“The best prevention is to build a strong community,” she advises. “When customers love and understand the spirit of the brand, they can distinguish the real from the fake for themselves.”
Expanding into Global Markets
Nowadays, Thai Unicorns are popular not only in Thailand but also in overseas markets.
“We started exporting to the United States, Japan, and many European countries. It’s important to adapt marketing to each culture.”
Nat gives an example:
- “In Japan, we focus on refinement and craftsmanship.”
- “In the US market, we emphasize diversity and tolerance of difference.”
Lessons for Young Entrepreneurs
Nat summed up important lessons for those who want to start a business:
- Start with love: “Do what you love, because you’ll spend a lot of time doing it.”
- Legal research: “Don’t neglect business registrations and trademarks.”
- Create uniqueness: “Find a unique advantage and develop it into a strength.”
- Patience: “Success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and determination.”
- Networking: “Find good partners and advisors.”
The Future of Thai Unicorns
Nat shares her plans for the future:
“We are developing new collections that combine technology with traditional craftsmanship and plan to open a small studio in Chiang Mai to provide a learning resource for those interested in contemporary Thai design.”
She concluded with an inspiring statement:
“Thai Unicorn is not just my brand, but a brand for everyone who believes in dreams and dares to be themselves in a unique way. We can all be unicorns if we dare to express ourselves.”
Conclusion
The story of Nat and Thai Unicorn clearly illustrates how determination and creativity can turn passion into a successful business. Building a strong brand requires an understanding of the law, marketing, and—most importantly—building a strong community around the brand.
For young entrepreneurs seeking inspiration, Nat’s story proves that nothing is impossible if we have true faith and perseverance.
