Ghaddafie (second left) presenting a complimentary T-shirt to Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (second right) during the latter’s stopover at Kuching Supplements booth at FitMalaysia 2015 in Kuching last weekend. Looking on are Sarawak Bodybuilding Association president Datuk Wee Hong Seng (centre) and Ghaddafie’s team members.
KUCHING: The rising awareness of the importance of health and fitness among Kuchingites seems to bode well with local entrepreneurs operating within that particular market segment.
The reception towards products and services related to personal wellness has been very encouraging, if the turnout at booths set up during last weekend’s FitMalaysia 2015 event at Padang Merdeka is anything to go by.
“It was an exciting platform for us local entrepreneurs. Not only did our products sell out, but we also got the opportunity to further expand our presence in Kuching,” Mohd Shakira Joto, owner of Kuching Clean Food (KCF), told The Borneo Post recently.
The 31-year-old bodybuilder set up his business late last year with a mission to raise awareness on the importance of watching one’s diet towards achieving total fitness.
“It’s more of a passion than a trade, for me. I believe that the Kuching market is big enough to include ‘clean food’ business,” he said, hailing his wife Shifa Datuk Naroden as his ‘pillar of strength’ in the business.
Shakira (left) preparing a special protein shake for Khairy (right) at the KCF booth.
For FitMalaysia 2015, Shakira said his team prepared 150 packs of lean-cooked beef and salmon for the day – all sold out within hours after opening.
“Obviously, the reception to ‘clean food’ – those using natural herbs and spices as substitutes to table salt and artificial flavourings, as well as less fat and sugar – has been very encouraging. It means that Kuching is beyond ready for this concept,” he said.
Shakira also highlighted his upcoming KCF outlet at Jalan Rubber here, scheduled to be open by the end of this month. On the price range, he said the menu items would go between RM7 and RM35.
For businessman Mohammed Ghaddafie Zamani, the opening of three outlets in just a little over two years proved that the local health and wellness market was already booming.
The 30-year-old founded Kuching Supplements – the supplements and health food business that he runs under AEM Enterprise – in 2012 and opened his first store in Petra Jaya in March last year.
Almirul with Bean’s Homemade’s special lean burgers.
Later on, he set up two more outlets – one near Jalan Petanak and another in Kota Sentosa.
“The market goes beyond business. We get to see and take part in many events such as FitMalaysia 2015, the recent Malaysian Invasion Mixed Martial Arts, health and fun run activities and muay thai challenges – all of which drew massive turnouts here.
“Moreover, the majority of those who turned up didn’t just come to watch; they actually participated in the activities. So it’s a win-win situation for us; they are our right customers and we are their right supplier,” he said.
The rise in awareness of fitness, Ghaddafie noted, also provided the opportunity for Kuching Supplements to embark in active advertising activities.
“Being associated with this kind of events through sponsorships and endorsements provides us the right kind of commercial exposure. We may spend a bit more, but the expected returns really outweigh that.”
On another spectrum, the boom in the health and wellness market also provided a lucrative platform for smallholding entrepreneurs like Almirul Jemali.
The 26-year-old set up his homemade burger business –branded as ‘Bean’s Homemade – earlier this year and said the response had been highly positive.
“At the moment, I sell beef patties made from 100 per cent lean minced meat, which I grill without additional fat. The portions are 100g and 200g, with prices ranging from RM7 to RM15 per order,” said the former airline cabin personnel, who operates from his house at Jalan Kulas 1 here.
Almirul concurred with Shakira and Ghaddafie, in saying that numerous fitness events here had been helping small-time entrepreneurs like him in introducing their offerings to the local market.
“We ran a booth selling burgers and health shakes during FitMalaysia 2015 last weekend and like Shakira’s, we sold out everything. The potential for health and wellness products is indeed there,” he enthused, attributing his enterprise to the strong support from his family and close friends.
Looking ahead, Almirul said he would introduce more menu items including homemade chicken patties and sausages, as well as Bolognaise and bacon burgers.