Cairns Vietnamese coffee pioneer persevered to success

YOU don’t need a pile of money to start something special. Just ask Annee at Annee’s CaPhe Sua Da, who will pitch her business on TV’s Shark Tank Australia.

Annee Nguyen from Annee’s CaPhe Sua Da at Rustys will be on the Shark Tank. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

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YOU don’t need a pile of money to start something special.

Annee Nguyen of Annee’s CaPhe Sua Da at Rusty’s Markets started with a tiny stall on the market’s Sheridan Street side and has gone from strength to strength with a loyal local following.

Tonight she will pitch her business on Network Ten’s Shark Tank Australia.

“They gave me some good feedback and didn’t shoot me down,” Ms Nguyen, 32, said.

“I was looking for an investor to be in the business … I’m looking for a partner or a management team.”

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Annee’s CaPhe Sua Da brought Vietnamese coffee to curious market goers thirsty for something different.

Ms Nguyen said the local support was key to her success.

“I didn’t need to start in Sydney or Melbourne — you can start in a beautiful place like Cairns,” she said.

“ I think people saw the coffee was something more than a product.

“I wanted to share an experience.”

She said determination was vital in a new venture.

“People think they can start a stall and have people flock to them,” she said.

“I sat for weeks and persevered.”

Originally published as Cairns Vietnamese coffee pioneer persevered to success