Participants learning about entrepreneurship at the conference.
KUCHING: Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?
It takes more than mere passion as one has to be self-driven and committed to turn ideas into reality.
Three successful local entrepreneurs yesterday shared their experiences on how to get ready for the entrepreneurial adventure and make an impact in the world at the Alliance Bank Biz Smart Academy Young Entrepreneurs Conference 2016 held at a hotel here.
Founder of Earthlings Coffee Workshop, Rave Sun Kwok urged budding and aspiring entrepreneurs to break away from the fear of originality, so the idea does not remain an idea.
“Think and know the reasons or meaning behind why you come out with the ideas as it will be the core driving force to keep going, especially when facing challenges along the way,” he said.
He pointed out the importance of going back to the roots.
“Your cause can be simple but unique to oneself. As for me, good coffee makes me happy and I want to share that. It will lead to new meanings once you start,” he said.
Experience, exposure and education were also crucial to gain profound understanding in order to have that spirit and motivation to move forward.
“And most importantly, human connections as it is this that helps fill my coffeeshop. Find the ideas to connect, build on and shine,” he said.
Tanoti Sdn Bhd director Jacqueline Fong told entrepreneurs to go deep, strong and fully committed into their passion and business because things will not go well if done half-heartedly.
“Be prepared to do everything and get your hands dirty. You’ve got to immerse yourself in the business, in and out,” she reminded.
Be bold and brave, Fong encouraged, because experience is the best teacher and there will always be lessons to learn.
“If you don’t know what you are going to get into or how to do it, don’t hesitate to just go ahead because along the way you will learn,” she added.
Fong said from the company’s success in restoring the glory of songket and changing the lives of many low-esteem girls from rural areas and villages to become master weavers and artisans, the government had decided to establish the first Blue Ocean Entrepreneurs
Township in Bintawa called ‘Borneo744’.
“It will be Malaysia’s first entrepreneur and art district and will serve as a hub of creativity and innovation to bring creative minds together,” she said.
“From here, we want to turn passion into profession like the songket weavers. We want young people to know there’s opportunity to turn creativity into reality and profession.”
Founder of Shine Pharmacy, Charles Liew advised those who want to start a business to know the distinction between ‘entrepreneur’ and ‘wantrepreneur’.
“If you are an entrepreneur, it is inevitable that you exude the spirit, passion, influence and have the attitude and curiosity,” he said.
“But there is hope if you want to be an entrepreneur. It’s important to know where you want to go, and then you will need to work extremely hard to get there.”
Liew, who has gone through the rockiest road to get where he is today, pointed out the distinction between ‘resources’ and ‘resourcefulness’.
He said people often find too many excuses like “no money, no time, no support” that prevent and stop them from putting thoughts into actions.
“It’s not about the resources you have, it’s about the resourcefulness within you,” he quoted Tony Robbins, an American motivational speaker, personal finance instructor and self-help author.
Most importantly, Liew echoed Sun’s advice that business needs to have ‘meaning’ other than ‘make money’.
“If there’s one thing that’s an absolute must-have to run a business, it’s ‘meaning’ versus ‘money’. The ‘meaning’ is the business should change the world,” he elaborated.
“And the world is determined by you like your family, friends, Kuching or others and not necessarily saving Mother Earth,” he said.
Meanwhile, the conference was held to introduce Alliance Bank’s SME Innovation Challenge which is now open for application.
Malaysian businesses that have been in operations for three years and below are invited to apply at www.BizSmart.com.my from now until Sept 5.
The Challenge returns this year with triple impacts by offering 60 Malaysian start-ups from 20 last year, opportunities to attend structured coaching and CEO Chatroom sessions.
Shortlisted young business will also get a chance to be in the limelight thanks to media exposure and a shot at the cash and media package prizes worth RM1 million.