We had read and learn from wonderful entrepreneurs of our great Cabaran 101010 family. And today AbangAbu would like to introduce all of us another celebrity entrepreneur ( always appear in local news paper, Tv , Radio as well magazines )
A very determined person and very simple yet effective in what she does. I am sure we are here for a great learning from our SUMIRA. Lets read and hear from herself….
1A) What kind of business do you have?
We are in the courier services. It’s started in 1999 when my husband and my father invested a total of $75,000.00 which was converted to 75,000 shares in a courier business. My husband became a sleeping partner when in 2003 there’s a wake up call from HIM that there was mishandling of funds happening in the company. We nearly bankrupt. But HE loves us. My husband made me resigned from my administration job and help in his business. I was clueless about doing business. I have no business friends and no business knowledge. How to begin with the journey? My most comfortable spoken language was Malay. I do not speak well and good English. I am shy by nature. I am not confident as I am just an ITE graduate.
I remembered I was “saved” by a flyer in my letterbox introducing the first intake for Diploma In Entrepreneurship. I invested in the course for 9 months and I remember my first day of class is my first day of running my business. My husband friends who are in the courier business were there to help and guide us.
My dad passed away three (3) months while I am still struggling in the business. It really broke my heart and my fighting spirit. My only wish is for him to see I have succeed in the company that he has invested in. I chose to seek solace in my husband, my children and Allah SWT. My best friend was HEADACHE, MIGRAINE and EXTRA PANADOL. They were my friend and companion for nearly 9 months. But I know for sure that I wanted to survive. I am a soldier fighting in a battle field. I wanted to hold the Victory Flag at the end of the battle field!
1B) What inspired you to become an Entrepreneur business owner?
Nothing inspired me much in my journey. When I was small I used to watch my dad selling banana chips, tapioca chips, jeans, t-shirst and tudungs. My husband’s grandfather was a successful business man who deals in a tobacco/rokok gulung business. Being surrounded by all this it still never inspired me to do business.
I remembered and will never forget the day, when we are really really broke. A simple meal of pizza to treat our 4 years old daughter back then and a simple birthday cake to treat our 2 years old son we can’t even afford. Close people around us says that we will never even make it in the business world. It was then that I decide no matter what, I will work hard for the company. I will prove that their assumptions towards us are wrong. I will make sure that I will be able to give ourselves a much better life!
My husband, children and all those “negative remarks” makes me a stronger woman till today. Reading books from successful people do inspire me to do well and whatever mistakes that I have done I will immediately amend them. My favourite book is “Rahsia Orang Cina BerNiaga – The Bamboo Network.” I feel in love with business again after reading the book. If the Chinese can do it, WHY CAN”T WE?
2) Did you need to have a certain mindset to achieve success?
A good, positive and strong mindset is a key to success. Always think POSITIVE. Change whatever that is NEGATIVE to POSITIVE and you will feel the DIFFERENCE. Never say die easily. If the Chinese can have a legacy of business for their children, why can’t we? Our forefathers are in business too. WE MUST SUCCEED!
3) Have you noticed certain advantages to being an entrepreneur business owner?
Being an entrepreneur we do have advantages as well as disadvantages. Disadvantages will be we will never be employed again and when our customers knew that we are the owners of our company they will bargain right thru our blood. They will squeeze our bones dried. Normally I do not introduce myself as the owner of the company. I always said that I am working with the company. I am comfortable that way.
There are a lot of advantages to name it. We are the one to create them. Flexible timing is the one main factor.
Being involved in organizations like SMCCI (Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry) makes you a serious business owner in the eyes of others. Getting referrals and recommendations from them do put your business to a TRUST too. I grew my contacts, business and credibility while being with SMCCI.
When I am in the top four Finalists for the Young Entrepreneur Award in 2006 I was surprised at how I can able convince the 10 judges. Being a first timer, I am able to be in the lists. Although that I did not win, I believe I am the last woman standing among the 3 male finalists. I survived and I become more confident of myself!
4) Did you have a mentor to help you get started?
I had no mentor to help me started. I have only my husband who will guide and reprimand me throughout my journey. The worst business partner is always your other half. But it sure does strengthen our relationship and marriage. A friend of mine told me “Do you know that it is rare and hard for a husband and wife to run a business. If you can do it and maintained it means both of you are made for each other. In chinese they say got ‘ONG’.
5) Approximately how much money did you invest before your business became profitable?
We have invested approximately $10,000.00 in advertising in Yellow Pages, Buku Merah, Green Book, Street Directory, Website etc. We have raised our company shares from 75,000 to 100,000 and hope we can increase more in the future.
Business is all about profit and loss. You may be profitable this year and you might suffer a loss the next year. The most important is not only about financially. It’s all about how you able to stand during good and bad times. Profits will eventually flows in. Being BUSY doesn’t mean you are financially well. Being NOT BUSY doesn’t mean the company is not doing well.
In business we must be able to “let go” some of our duties and share with our staffs. A business that is successful is when it is able to progress smoothly without your presence. I have done my company structure throughout my years and now I have to grow my client base as well as to find opportunities. That is my main focus now. To grow the company.
6) What ways have you found to be most effective in marketing your product or service to get sales?
By advertising in Yellow Pages, Buku Merah, The Green Book, Street Directory plays an active role in our company services. Our customers grew from there. By having your own company website is also a good platform. We have our customers’ base records stating that they knew our services from the abovementioned platform.
Good company write up done by Berita Harian do plays an active role in our services. They are more aware of our existence and build confidence for our mainstream customers. Out of 40 mainstream customers only 4 are from a Malay SMEs.
Of course not forgeting our friends and business associates referrals too. They do play a part in promoting us.
7) What tips can you give others who want to embrace their dream but, don’t have the confidence or feel they don’t have what it takes to succeed?
Dreams can and are achievable.
All this while it was my husband’s dream to have a Holding Companies. We started with MAK Courier Service Pte Ltd, in 2008 MAK’AN OnWheels, in 2010 MAK Knowledge Network and in 2011 MAK Media Production. We will eventually grow them into MAK Group of Companies.
With hard work and discipline it will comes true. My principle is “Have adequate REST. Be the first to RISE. Your MIND will automatically and eventually gave BIRTH to IDEAS.” Don’t overwork and tire yourself like a machine. Our body, mind and soul need ample rest. Time planning is very important. Till today I still have a timetable for myself.
8) What’s next for you?
I have made my husband’s dream come true. What is next will be making my own dream comes true. I have attended ACTA Certified Trainer Course and soon will be able to train and develop programmes. I hope that I will be able to train with organisations like WDA or any training centres. After I settled down in Singapore, I would like to bring my companies or ideas overseas.
I would like to thank my husband Fairuzi Ismail for the opportunity and trust given to me. My late dad Md Supari Solehon for his never ending support till his last breath. My children for understanding my work schedule. My mum Rohani Awang Chik for helping out by looking after my kids. One day with HIS blessings and guidance, we will handover our business legacy for them and our next generations. Insya Allah Ameen.
For my two friends Ms Z and Ms E who always stands by me. Thank you for all the advices, happy and sad moments we shared together. Thank you for being there for me throughout our 4 years friendship and sisterhood. I treasure and love you gals!
For my friends and business associates, thank you for all the Doas and friendship. I treasure them so much!
For my clients thank you for your support. You are our pillar. Without your support MAK Courier will not able to stand tall throughout our 8 years in the company. We have made redesigns and new strategy eversince it was set up in 1998. We see the difference and growth in our company. Alhamdulilah Syukur. Thank you for the endless support!
Kami di MAK Courier tidak sehebat dan sebesar DHL. Tetapi SEMANGAT kami tetap SEHEBAT DAN SEBESAR DHL!
9) Few words of AbangAbu? Optional Questions
I have known Abang Abu while I am volunteering with SMCCI. Nothing much to comment on him BUT I like his ways of mentoring and helping those who are in needs. I hope the “FIRE” in Abang Abu will always be burning and gave light to those who are in needs.
