Today we’d like to introduce you to Nittaya.
Hi Nittaya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. I studied Business Administration, but if someone had told me back then that I would one day own a Thai restaurant in North Dakota, I probably would not have believed them.
Life brought me to the United States, where I started building a new life with my family. Like many immigrants, I had to learn a new culture, improve my English, and figure things out as I went. It was not always easy, but every challenge taught me something.
Today, I own Sirirath Thai House in West Fargo. What started as a small dream has become a business that supports many employees and serves our community every day. I am grateful for every customer who chooses to eat with us and every employee who works alongside us.
Running a business is not glamorous most days. Some days I am working on marketing, some days I am dealing with equipment repairs, payroll, taxes, or staffing issues. There is always something to solve. But I enjoy building something meaningful and creating opportunities for others.
I am also a wife and a mother, and family is very important to me. Balancing business and family is not always easy, but both give me purpose.
If there is one thing I have learned, it is that success comes from showing up every day, working hard, being honest, and treating people well. I still have goals and dreams for the future.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not always been a smooth road.
Moving from Thailand to the United States and building a life here brought many challenges. My husband works at a hospital, and I run our business. With two young children, balancing family, business, and daily responsibilities requires constant dedication and sacrifice.
As a business owner, I face ongoing challenges, including staffing issues, rising costs, unexpected repairs, and the constant balancing act between work and family life. The COVID-19 pandemic was especially difficult. During that time, my husband often worked long hours at the hospital while I managed our restaurant and cared for our children. We hired a caregiver for a few hours each day, and I would take short breaks from work whenever possible to spend time with them.
It was exhausting, but those experiences taught me resilience. I have learned to stay positive, work hard, adapt to challenges, and keep moving forward. Everything I do is driven by my desire to build a better future for my children, grow our business, and achieve the goals our family has worked so hard to pursue.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Sirirath Thai House is a family-owned Thai restaurant in West Fargo, North Dakota. I moved from Thailand to the United States and started this business with my family to share authentic Thai food and culture with our community.
What makes us special is the personal connection we have with our customers. We treat our guests like family and work hard to create a welcoming place where everyone feels at home.
I am proud of how far we have come and grateful for the support of our customers and community.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I enjoy reading books about business, leadership, and personal growth. As a restaurant owner, I am always looking for new ideas to improve our business and better serve our customers.
I also learn a lot from Facebook, Instagram, and other small business communities where owners share their experiences, challenges, and successes. I believe there is always something new to learn, and I enjoy finding practical ideas that can help me grow both personally and professionally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.siriraththaihouse.com
- Instagram: @siriraththaihouse
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com
