KUALA KUBU BHARU – A businesswoman’s efforts finally paid off after resigning from her previous job as a clerk to pursue her rempeyek (crispy peanut cracker) business on a full time basis. This managed to provide her a monthly income of RM6,000 – thanks to the guidance provided by the Digital Economy Centre (PEDi).
The businesswoman, Maziyahwati Abdul Manaf, 35, kick-started her Rempeyek Kak Maz business in 2014 based at her home in Felda Soeharto, here, in Hulu Selangor.
Initially, she only earned roughly RM500 per month when first embarking in the business.
“After I resigned, I joined an entrepreneurial workshop in 2014 before kick-starting my rempeyek business in 2015.
“However, at that time, the income was not good as my initial business promotion was solely through word of mouth, while my products were being sold around the Felda area.
“As my income was very low, I was unable to cover my family’s expenses. After my friend, who is also a business owner, convinced me to join PEDi, it was an eye-opener.
“Before this, I didn’t know how to utilise information technology but PEDi officers guided the participants such as myself to use various programmes and training to market our products through social media platforms, especially Facebook, WhatsApp and now TikTok.
“God willing, my earnings are roughly RM6,000 per month, which can go higher during the festive season.
“Now I even have six direct wholesalers who help market it to other states, including Penang,” she said when met at PEDi Felda Soeharto recently.
Another PEDi Felda Soeharto entrepreneur icon, Nor Faizah Zabil, 29, who operates a beauty spa, treatment and herbal product, said she never gave up when first starting her business nine years ago.
“Before being guided by PEDi in 2018, I independently ran my business on my own by doing marketing, operations, working from morning to night all by myself.
“I nearly gave up because I was only 20-years-old at that time, so people didn’t have confidence in my beauty and massage business. They weren’t confident because I was young and had a small frame.
“Tonnes of questions were thrown to me like, can this girl do work like tending to a woman post-delivery? It wasn’t easy during that time but I endured it and kept going.
“Since 2018, PEDi has assisted me with workshops, giving ideas for clearer team structure and duties division; and a suitable place for my team to conduct business operations,” she said.
Nor Faizah says her monthly income has boosted significantly up to RM200,000, an increase of up to 500% compared to her previous salary when she first started.
Additionally, she has recently opened a beauty spa branch in Presint 17, Putrajaya, last year.
“I want to expand my business and increase the sales in three years to open 10 more branches,” she said.
Nor Faizah advised novice entrepreneurs with a limited budget to utilise the correct platform, such as PEDi for guidance and suitable training.
Another successful entrepreneur from PEDi is Siti Aisyah Mat Zin, 40, who now earns RM2,500 monthly in the flowers and gifts business compared to when she started seven years ago and only managing to earn RM700.
The Mama Ecah Surprise Delivery Florist Gift owner said the programmes offered by PEDi were really useful, especially in mastering the e-commerce market and giving knowledge in the digital economy.
“When I started my business, it didn’t get much attention despite having the relevant products but I didn’t know how to promote the products effectively. Sales were really low, as I was making only RM100 per month.
“After joining the entrepreneurial workshop and programme, for someone who did not have any digital economic knowledge, it provided a huge positive impact for me.
“Plus, the programmes being offered did not even require any participation fee,” she said.
In addition to the entrepreneurship programmes, PEDi also offers various services, including teaching and learning sessions for school students, photocopy services, courier and local community centres. – November 20, 2023