Hospitality English Training School

10POSTS

15 years ago

Hi,

Can anyone offer advise on opening an English School. Here is what I want to do.....I would like to open a restaurant and run a Hospitality Training school from the premises. I would like the restaurant to be able to pay the rent as I realise that the school won't be making enough to cover much of anything. I would prefer a 2 story or even 3 story building to accommodate the restaurant, school and living quarters. Does anyone have any advise to send my way, possibly contacts who could point me in the right direction.

Thanks

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Kimleang Member

23POSTS

15 years ago

Before answer any of your question...are you hospitality professional with experience running/operating restaurant back in Australia?

milliem Member

10POSTS

15 years ago

Hi.....Yes, this is my profession, amongst other things. I have lived in Vietnam where I opened an ESL school and taught hospitality English courses. I also worked with the local restaurants. This is my passion, I love to see the results of hard work and giving students a chance at accomplishing things that they may not have had the opportunity to do because of the lack of money.
I have been told that the restaurant business is very competitive there.........

Looking forward to hearing from you.............

Kimleang Member

23POSTS

15 years ago

Hi:

Your concept sounds interesting and assuming you are talking about Phnom Penh. Yes, restaurant is extremely competitive here. You have to have lots of passion + know how + committed to run day to day operation for a minimum of 18 months to ensure smooth operation or just to get a hange of how things work around here. Therefore, don't really how you manage your time there between teaching and operating a success restaurant at the same time.

My suggestion would be working for a local hospitality company here for a year to learn the ropes before making your next move as operating restaurant here can be frustrated and expensive!

How many students do you wish to take at one time?
Do you plan to have a proper class rooms as well?

FYI, one flat house in a good location (few storey up) goes around USD1200-1800/month and electricity goes for about USD 20cent/kilowatt...these are the two single most expensive cost for restaurant business here...let me know if you have specific questions...

Regard,
Leang

milliem Member

10POSTS

15 years ago

Thanks for the information Leang.............
I wouldn't have a problem working both businesses, my sister will be working alongside me, so shared work load.
I thought about 4-6 students at a time, and yes professional classrooms. I'm not quite sure what you mean by working for a hospitality company, can you be more specific? what type of company??

Regards
Carol

Kimleang Member

23POSTS

15 years ago

Hi Carol,

Oh I see...4 to 6 students and shared work load with another expat (your sister) should be fine. I assumed you were in it on your own and that can be tought!

Sorry, what I meant was an established local hotel chain and FB operator in Cambodia...like the FCC group etc...cheers

Leang

travelaction Member

3POSTS

15 years ago

Hey there

That sounds like a great idea.

Not sure what stage you are in, but I have over 20yrs in Hospitality/Tourism.

Would love to have a chat about your business.

Cheers

JC

milliem Member

10POSTS

15 years ago

Hi JC,

Haven't organized anything as yet, but would like to in the future. Just getting advice before I make any moves. I love teaching so the logical thing to do is to combine the restaurant with the teaching to give students hands on experience.

This is something I hope to be doing next year....as I have a family there's a lot to organize before we make a move.I have a plan to live over there for a few months of the year and return to Australia periodically. Of course there would have to be someone around to keep things moving while I'm out of the country......lots of things to think about...

What is it that you do JC???...do you live in Phnom Penh??

travelaction Member

3POSTS

15 years ago

Hey there

At the moment I am living in Canada, looking at moving late this month or next month.

I have spent 20 yrs in Hospitality, all aspects of Hotels, Tour Directing, some restaurant work.

I am not sure what my options will be when I get to PP, but I have thought a few times about teaching.

Cheers

JC

shanti shanti New member

6POSTS

14 years ago

#10

hi carol,

maybe you might want to see how the principle of friends works here. this is a good base for your idea.

maybe a small hint: real khmer don't really like to struggle to learn a language, but for sure they are masters in enjoying good food. ;-)

and whatever it took to make it run in Vietnam, here it takes 10x more nerves to finally get things done here, but, where a will, there's a way. Good luck in everything you do!

Shanti

milliem Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

#11

Hi Shanti......Thanks for your reply............
what do you mean by "the principle of friends"....
yes...I do think it will be a challenge...I would like to put it out there to people who really want an opportunity to obtain skills but can't afford to do it through training schools that charge a fortune....
What is it that you do????

Carol

shanti shanti New member

6POSTS

14 years ago

#12

Hi Carol,

I meant the restaurant "Friends" which is run in order to support as well.

I have been trying to support people here on spot, mainly in explaining that it's better to CAN somthing than to WAIT for another NGO. ;-)

Go for your idea, but be precise in your expectation and demands. If this is clear no surprise will be a real surprise. ;-)

Shanti

milliem Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

#13

Thanks Shanti..........

Kosal855 Member

22POSTS

14 years ago

#14

hi

It is a nice idea for that. But actually there re some both NGO and individual who run that.

As i know is Friend, Pour un sourir d'enfant (NGO); and private sector is FC. So may be you could check with them to assess the market. But in cambodia, we lack of this skill.

bye and have a nice wkends