“With the CGC capital I bought new large-scale equipment, upgraded my kitchen facilities and began to see my business expand with larger orders.”
Syerich Food | Food
Kota Bahru, Kelantan
Syarifah Munirah Syed Malek Shahabudin
After 20 years in business, Syarifah Munirah Syed Malek Shahabudin has learned a great deal about managing an establishment. In her most recent venture, she has acquired the knowledge to market online, arrange deliveries and appoint agents to distribute her renowned Hokkaido cakes.
In May 2015, Syarifah Munirah set up her own bakery after a previous enterprise with her friend had failed. As an agent for ‘Ketuk-Ketuk Aidilfitri’ cookies, she also had the opportunity to conduct cooking classes for government agencies such as Kemubu Agriculture Development Authority (KADA), RISDA and Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita. However, due to lack of capital her venture did not thrive, despite KADA supplying equipment and machinery to produce bread, biscuits and cakes.
In April 2018, she attended a CGC event to gain more market knowledge and find out about its role in the MSME landscape. CGC’s attractive financing facilities persuaded her to apply for a BizWanita-i financing. Syarifah Munirah recalls, “With the CGC capital I bought new, large-scale equipment, upgraded my kitchen facilities and began to see my business expand with larger orders.”
With a second financing, BizMula-i, she now has a new shop and a business that is growing incrementally. She constantly comes up with new products to expand her range and custom-makes orders according to her regular clients’ wishes.
It was not always this simple. Nevertheless, putting a few failed initiatives behind her, she strides ahead with renewed enthusiasm. Her advice for novice entrepreneurs? First, find your customers before setting up premises. She states, “Operate from home, learn to sell other people’s products and build a regular base. Not open a shop, then look for business.”
Her ambition is to supply her signature product to supermarkets and hypermarkets through Foodpanda and Grab Food. In addition to her Kelantanese cooking classes, she plans to organise her own customised classes for bakers and entrepreneurs.