DYNAMIC DREAMER: Sophorn Touch

As a high school student in the early 1990s, Sophorn Touch remembers seeing broadcasts of the Cambodian officials badmouthing the United States.

But while listening to her radio at night, she heard another story — one of freedom and opportunity.
In those moments, Sophorn believed the latter.

“It was my dream (to be here in the United States),” Sophorn said. “I feel like I won a lottery ticket.”

Almost exactly 17 years ago, Sophorn immigrated to the U.S., joining her husband, Phala, in Bradenton.
Although she knew no English when she arrived, Sophorn not only speaks the language effortlessly now, but also is living out the American dream as a homeowner and as a new business owner.

She and friend Julie Kramer, in December, opened their own hair salon, Jules Touch Salon, in San Marco Plaza.

“It’s rewarding starting your own business,” Sophorn said, smiling. “It’s a big investment. We want to be here for a long time and we want to be the best place — a great place, not just great service.”

Touch and her husband married May 19, 1994, at the choosing of their parents.

“In the Cambodian culture, you expect arranged marriages,” she said. “Your parents kind of know who you are (and choose wisely).”

Two weeks after their wedding in Cambodia, Phala returned to the U.S., where he already had been living. Sophorn stayed in her home country until March 11, 1995, and then joined Phala stateside.

Because she knew no English upon her arrival in Bradenton, Sophorn initially took language classes with the United Way, before enrolling at Manatee Technical Institute. Then, she studied English for one-and-one-half years before deciding to enter a one-year cosmetology program.

“I love hair,” Sophorn said. “It’s instant gratification, and you make people feel good about themselves — make people happy. I love the interaction with people. It never feels like a day of work. That’s how I feel. Not many people can say that.”

For Sophorn, owning her own business truly is a dream come true, but she still has many other dreams to fulfill. Ultimately, she hopes to return to college to take writing and reading comprehension classes, which, she said, will create even more opportunities for herself.

“Learning, to me, is never-ending,” she said.

She also wants to show her 10-year-old son, Alexander, to appreciate the opportunities offered in the U.S.

“My dream is I want to master the English language,” she said. “If I can master English, I can do anything.”

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].