Initially, Panneer launched her business on a small scale with only five tables acquired from a franchise-approved vendor. This constituted a significant portion of her expenses. Despite facing challenges in securing a loan, a bank representative recommended CGC. “I found CGC’s service to be excellent, as they helped me with my paperwork, conducted a thorough audit of my premises and swiftly approved my BizWanita-i financing.” The Kumon programme is tailored to each student’s needs. With the funding, Panneer was able to procure all the necessary furnishings for her centre. Today, her premises are fully utilised, with classes available four days a week for 250 students. The main instructor (Panneer), a full-time teacher and six assistant teachers provide personalised coaching to around 25 students per session. For Panneer, seeing her students succeed in maths is the most rewarding aspect of her job.

Gloria faced loan rejections due to poor cashflow management, but CGC’s BizWanita-i financing in 2020 helped her keep her business afloat. She even had to pawn her jewellery to pay for a new office after the pandemic. In 2022, BizBina-i financing allowed her to expand, “With CGC’s help I could pay my overheads, cover my costs and now operate from a new office with two other staff.” This was a change she welcomed, as previously she had to perform all tasks herself: receptionist, runner and lawyer. Attending CGC’s TikTok workshop was another turning point, as she learned to gain more clients through knowledge-sharing. Her business has improved, with more clients for recovering debt cases.

In 2020, two years after starting her clinic in an old building, Dr Siti wanted to upgrade her professional vet services. Despite many financial institutions rejecting the relocation plans, CGC enabled her BizWanita-i approval. A year later, Furmily Animal Medical Care moved into their centrally-located, 3-storey building with an almost complete range of facilities. Together with six other doctors and 23 staff, she hopes to grow her business into a 24-hour hospital for pets. Among other amenities, services at the new medical centre range from ultrasound and surgery to grooming and a blood work lab. “Since 2021 our business has improved by at least 80%. I’m very grateful to CGC for helping me grow my dream.”

When Shofian and his mother started operating in 2021, they required working capital. “With CGC’s BizMula-i financing, we were able to better manage our capital-intensive operations and credit limits.” Despite just the two of them working hard, their business is thriving and growing. They have established reliable contacts in the United Kingdom and the Middle East and are planning to expand overseas. “We strive to educate our customers on the importance of using quality products, as we need to take care of our patients and our Malaysian people.” Shofian spends considerable time educating end-users about the quality of their products, which are sourced from reliable suppliers. He emphasises that their products are superior to cheaper options from China. Moreover, he collaborates with local manufacturers in Perak and Negeri Sembilan to ensure that 95% of their products are locally sourced.

Kenix first applied for CGC’s BizWanita-i in 2019, on her brother’s recommendation to expand her business. With rising demand for home sound systems and noise reduction during Zoom meetings, she saw an opportunity to grow her business through acoustic treatment. “During the pandemic, I secured my second financing, BizBina-i, to stock up on inventory, offer a wider range of products. Brought in new brands, and became a dealer.” In fact, Kenix now provides a one-stop solution for customers looking to set up an acoustic system from scratch, including those with no prior knowledge. Her business has thrived during lockdowns as people upgraded their home entertainment equipment. That was when demand rose for quality home sound systems and reduced noise and interference during Zoom meetings. Despite operating from her showroom again, the business remains available online and continues to thrive.

With cash flow a major problem in the last two years, Jaafar turned to CGC to keep his business afloat. The TPUB-i and BizMula-i proved to be a lifeline for Jaba Holding, enabling him to use the financing to keep his operations running. “Financial institutions like CGC are essential for struggling small businesses, as they provide much-needed support. More financial institutions should focus on helping small businesses instead of focussing purely on profits.” Jaafar believes that self-belief and confidence are the cornerstones of starting and growing a business. Furthermore, the value of trust cannot be undermined, as it is the foundation of any business in building a reputation among clients and suppliers. “Running a business takes a lot of effort, and there are no shortcuts to success. With enough capital, the right attitude and support, anyone can start and grow a successful business.”

However, supplying their products on time was a challenge due to their aggressive expansion last year. They secured seven new key accounts, including AEON and 7-11, with over 2,400 outlets. As a result, their production capacity was stretched to its limits, making it difficult to keep up with demand. Additionally, they faced cashflow issues because they had to purchase raw materials on shorter terms from suppliers while offering their retail partners longer payment terms. CGC has been very helpful and supportive to MSMEs like theirs, helping them through the pandemic period. Low observes: “The BizMula-i financing I received in 2022 helped with my cash flow, as we expanded the business. We purchased more raw material and had cash in hand for contingency plans.” In the coming years, Low and his partners plan to expand their business by moving to a larger production facility, launching new flavours and product categories, and exporting overseas.

Puteri Nadzrul approached CGC because the partners wanted to open another branch. CGC’s BizMula-i suited them as they needed capital to buy equipment and machinery, along with a down payment for rent. “Other financial institutions require at least two years of business experience, so it’s great that CGC has faith in us. The officer is very supportive, quickly takes action, and I’m happy that she has my back.” She has attended CGC Developmental Programme® events, on Social Media Marketing and Canva. “I keep looking for new workshops to join, as they are free and good for gaining knowledge.”

JD Global Empire Enterprise used CGC’s BizMula-i and BizBina-i financing, with BizMula-i helping expand the business into three branches, pre-pandemic. Growth was steady. “However, during the pandemic, the business suffered greatly and the second CGC financing was utilised to revitalise the stock and the overall business.” Faizal’s focus shifted to online sales, with new stock uploaded daily and several live sessions to attract customers. According to Faizal, running a business can be exhausting, but he finds it enjoyable. He is fully committed to it and sees no reason to turn back. Currently, he oversees a team of eight staff members, and his future plans involve opening branches in every state across Malaysia. The newest JD branch recently commenced operations in Kedah, and his goal is to open a new store annually.

Already a customer of CGC’s BizMula-i and BizWanita-i financing, Ashraf in 2022 applied for his third financing, BizBina-i. To mitigate the effects of raised prices and to secure his inventory, he negotiated a lower price with his supplier and, with the financing, purchased stock in bulk. “CGC’s service is very efficient and considerate. Halim, who handles our account, was very helpful and worked fast to ensure that we received prompt financing disbursement.” In 2022, to control overhead costs, Ashraf had to make the difficult decision of letting two staff go. Along with that, he had to counter the decline in online customers and attract new ones. So, he opened a showroom in Shah Alam and participated in expos to increase visibility. Additionally, the business started to run quarterly campaigns to launch new product ranges.

To overcome the challenges faced in 2022, Valor Trading focused on aggressively expanding their product range and providing additional services to customers. With a team of up to 40 people, they also tried to cast a wider net by exploring new marketing strategies and channels. As a retailer, the company had limited options, but they tried to pay more attention to their customers’ needs and adjust accordingly. It was a testing time, but they remained resilient and focused on adapting to the changing environment. “To succeed during challenging times, it’s important to be patient and trust your vision. I’m glad CGC’s BizMula-i financing helped us expand our inventory, as a struggling business,” says a highly appreciative Lim. Nevertheless, he wishes the financing amount was larger and hopes that the great service that CGC provides for small businesses will extend to offering better financing products.

“In early 2022, I acquired CGC’s BizMula-i, which allowed me to extend my office space, hire two more highly-skilled staff, and equip ourselves with computers and all the necessary tools.” Despite the concerns caused by the pandemic, it was a definite opportunity for RM Niaga to grow even bigger and serve more clients in need of assistance. Rasshimah finds CGC’s financing products excellent, especially for smaller businesses requiring enough capital to ensure smooth cash flow and to expand operations. She has participated in various CGC Developmental Programme® workshops as well. As a direct result, she has improved her social media presence by sharing knowledge, tips and ideas. Not only have these posts garnered more engagement, they have earned her clients, too.

Raddy’s biggest challenge is securing enough capital to invest in sufficient up-to-date equipment. Without this investment, he could not generate revenue through rentals. He also mentions that staff costs are high, as his employees travel frequently outstation and claim transport fuel fees. “To address these challenges, I applied for CGC’s BizMula-i in 2022, which helped improve my cash flow. I used half of the financing to pay my suppliers and the other half to pay staff salaries.” Raddy constantly explores ways to reduce costs, while ensuring his employees’ productivity and job satisfaction remain intact. In his efforts to grow and market his business, he sometimes has to reduce staff bonuses and be mindful of not overspending on overheads. Despite these challenges, he remains optimistic about the future of Discovery Engineering & Supplier and is committed to finding innovative solutions to overcome obstacles and thrive in an increasingly competitive market.

“In 2022, I received financing through CGC BizWanita-i, which I used to top up my stock. I worked closely with my suppliers to source trendy designs that had gone viral, and were both visually appealing and reasonably priced.” Nor Baizurah leverages her expertise in social media marketing to promote her business on platforms such as TikTok and Facebook. She makes it a point to post regular updates, particularly when new stocks arrive. In addition to marketing her products, she and her team focus on providing exceptional customer service and stocking up on budget-friendly items to ensure that customers return. This approach has earned her a loyal customer base, with some patrons having supported her business for the past five years.

“I took on CGC’s BizBina-i and BizMaju financing to ensure that I have enough working capital to keep my projects running,” Kasrul explains, “as I need to manage my overhead costs and purchase material.” CGC has been extremely beneficial for entrepreneurs like himself, he admits. CGC seminars and webinars have proved quite useful, so he makes an effort to participate whenever he has free time. Additionally, he finds their services excellent, while their officers go above and beyond to provide guidance. His future plan is to purchase a warehouse if his business improves. Currently, he has an office, but it is becoming increasingly challenging to store materials, scaffolding, generators, and water pumps there.

“CGC was introduced to me by a friend, and now I have another friend who is also seeking financing through them,” Syukran says. “When I decided to expand my business by opening another branch in Kerteh, I opted for BizMula-i financing from CGC.” For him, CGC is a great institution for young entrepreneurs to get a head start in business, as it simplifies the necessary processes and regulations to obtain financing. With four staff members, Syukran runs two shops - one in Kemaman and the other in Kerteh. His future plans are to focus on improving business systems and processes, acquiring more customers. He also is keen on becoming a major industry player, much like the bigger brands. However, his ultimate goal is worldwide recognition. Once he is able to sustain his current branches, he hopes to add more shops to his stable.

“I received the CGC BizMula-i financing in 2019, two years after starting my business, to facilitate its expansion. I gradually grew my business from four outlets and beyond with the skills and knowledge gained from my experience.” Lim also expressed gratitude towards Juliana, a CGC staff member who assisted him with his application, as she continues to keep in touch, updating him on upcoming online programmes. Lim’s business witnessed steady growth in early 2022 but, by the third quarter, unpredictable fluctuating sales rendered the situation unsustainable. Most of his outlets were located in shopping malls, to capture walk-in customers. Consequently, he had to shut down six, leaving only seven. However, he managed to retain all his staff, only closing down the unprofitable outlets. In fact, he expanded the profitable outlets by converting some from one-shop to two-shop outlets, thereby improving their size and services.