Today we’d like to introduce you to Patty Thongchua
Hi Patty, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
A Vegan Dream, I had always been passionate about food—especially vegan food. My daughter, a dedicated vegan, often struggled to find places where she could enjoy both healthy and delicious meals without worrying about the quality of ingredients. That’s when I had an idea: Why not create a restaurant my daughter and others could trust? With that vision,I started my business—a cozy, welcoming vegan restaurant in the heart of the city. It wasn’t just about serving food; it was about building a community where people could eat healthily and joyfully!
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?
It was really difficult when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Overnight, the world changed. Businesses shut down, people stayed home, and uncertainty loomed over everything. My biggest worry wasn’t just about surviving—it was about my employees. They had become like family, and I couldn’t bear the thought of letting them go. So I adapted quickly, introducing online orders, with vegan ingredients. I reached out to the community, reminding them why they started supporting the restaurant in the first place. Slowly but surely, the business held on. At the end of the day, It was our strong supportive community and our dear employees who played an important role to push it through! Really grateful and appreciate it!!
As you know, we’re big fans of Plumeria Vegetarian. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I started one of the first exclusively Thai Vegan/Vegetarian restaurants in San Diego over 12 years ago! I stayed true to my core values: keeping my customers happy and promoting a healthy lifestyle. I believed that a strong, supportive community was just as important as good food. And at the end of the day, my greatest joy came from one simple thing—seeing others happy. Whether it was a satisfied customer enjoying a meal or an employee who still had their job after the challenging time during Covid, that was the reward that kept me going.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Seeing others happy makes me happy whether there are our customers or employees!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.myplumeria.com
- Instagram: plumeriavegetarian
Image Credits
@Bonn_ny
