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Entrepreneurs Who Overcame Hardship
September 18, 2012
| Filed Under » Entrepreneur, Small Business
Becoming an entrepreneur is no easy task.
Now imagine trying to start your own business with a past full of lack of self-esteem,
abuse or poverty. These entrepreneurs not only overcame their struggles, but
they also managed to make their businesses successful in the face of
adversity.
Rhonda Sciortino
Rhonda Sciortino overcame poverty, filth, hunger, abuse and loneliness. She ultimately turned her life in a positive direction and founded two successful companies. One company was the Human Services Insurance, the only retail insurance brokerage in the United States. The sole purpose of the company is to protect people and organizations that care for abused children. Its purpose was to create exclusive insurance programs. According to Sciortino, her company helped negotiate millions of dollars of premium savings for children's homes throughout the U.S. In 1995, Sciortino founded her second company, Child Welfare Insurance Services, a wholesale insurance operation designed to empower insurance brokers throughout the U.S. to become advocates for the child welfare organizations in their communities. She eventually sold both companies. Sciortino is the author of "Succeed Because of What You've Been Through" and is a real estate investor, speaker and trainer.
Rhonda Sciortino overcame poverty, filth, hunger, abuse and loneliness. She ultimately turned her life in a positive direction and founded two successful companies. One company was the Human Services Insurance, the only retail insurance brokerage in the United States. The sole purpose of the company is to protect people and organizations that care for abused children. Its purpose was to create exclusive insurance programs. According to Sciortino, her company helped negotiate millions of dollars of premium savings for children's homes throughout the U.S. In 1995, Sciortino founded her second company, Child Welfare Insurance Services, a wholesale insurance operation designed to empower insurance brokers throughout the U.S. to become advocates for the child welfare organizations in their communities. She eventually sold both companies. Sciortino is the author of "Succeed Because of What You've Been Through" and is a real estate investor, speaker and trainer.
Jennifer Scully
Jennifer Scully, owner of Discount Designer Furnishings also had her fair share of ups and downs in her life. She went from being a successful singer who sang a duet with Enrique Iglesias to a wealthy stay-at-home mom. Then she was broke and homeless. Scully sang professionally for 11 years and flipped houses during her spare time, making large profits. After her daughter was born, Scully decided to become a stay-at-home mom, and life was grand. She lived in an eight-bedroom dream home on the North Shore of Long Island and her husband was a successful trader, well known on Wall Street. After divorcing her husband in 2009 when her daughter was four years old, however, things started spiraling downward. "Our investment in our home was $2.7 million and two years later it was valued at $1.25 million. That's exactly what the sale price was. My husband lost his job and things were bleak," she says. Scully states they practically lost the house in a short sale, along with most of their belongings. She changed her entire way of life, bought nothing except gas and food, had no health insurance, and had no money for school supplies. Although she began working at lightning speed to produce enough income to support herself and her daughter, Scully couldn't keep up. She and her daughter gave up everything they had and moved in with Scully's mother in order to save money. Eventually things started turning around. After losing her rental home and moving in with her mother, she was able to focus mainly on growing her designer business. Her business took a positive turn in 2011 and she began selling enough furniture to enable her to open a separate web-based furniture business, selling to people across the U.S. and Canada. She's made over $300,000 in sales this year so far.
Jennifer Scully, owner of Discount Designer Furnishings also had her fair share of ups and downs in her life. She went from being a successful singer who sang a duet with Enrique Iglesias to a wealthy stay-at-home mom. Then she was broke and homeless. Scully sang professionally for 11 years and flipped houses during her spare time, making large profits. After her daughter was born, Scully decided to become a stay-at-home mom, and life was grand. She lived in an eight-bedroom dream home on the North Shore of Long Island and her husband was a successful trader, well known on Wall Street. After divorcing her husband in 2009 when her daughter was four years old, however, things started spiraling downward. "Our investment in our home was $2.7 million and two years later it was valued at $1.25 million. That's exactly what the sale price was. My husband lost his job and things were bleak," she says. Scully states they practically lost the house in a short sale, along with most of their belongings. She changed her entire way of life, bought nothing except gas and food, had no health insurance, and had no money for school supplies. Although she began working at lightning speed to produce enough income to support herself and her daughter, Scully couldn't keep up. She and her daughter gave up everything they had and moved in with Scully's mother in order to save money. Eventually things started turning around. After losing her rental home and moving in with her mother, she was able to focus mainly on growing her designer business. Her business took a positive turn in 2011 and she began selling enough furniture to enable her to open a separate web-based furniture business, selling to people across the U.S. and Canada. She's made over $300,000 in sales this year so far.
The Bottom Line
These women overcame adversity and went on to
become successful entrepreneurs. Becoming a successful entrepreneur can be
difficult, but these women have proven that even obstacles like abuse and
poverty can't keep business-savvy people from achieving success.
Indra Nooyi is known to us all as the popular Chief Financial Officer and President of PepsiCo industries. However, like all beginnings hers too was a humble one. The highest ranking Indian-born woman entrepreneur in the US today hails from a common middle class Tamil family. But she did not become one of most successful Indian women by following convention. As a teenager, Indra Nooyiplayed cricket for a team and also managed to play guitar for a rock band. In a manner of saying she managed to be 'improper' by Indian standards for a girl; probably, there lies the secret of her success.
Educational Background: The Roots
Indra Nooyi has a bachelors degree in maths and physics but she did not become one of the most successful women in business with that. She did her MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata and took up her first job with Tootal, a British textile company. Her first big break came with the Stayfree account at Johnson & Johnson where she worked for 6 years. But she found herself under-prepared for someone destined to become one of the greatest Indian woman entrepreneurs.
Indra Nooyi has a bachelors degree in maths and physics but she did not become one of the most successful women in business with that. She did her MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata and took up her first job with Tootal, a British textile company. Her first big break came with the Stayfree account at Johnson & Johnson where she worked for 6 years. But she found herself under-prepared for someone destined to become one of the greatest Indian woman entrepreneurs.
USA Here I Come...
Indra Nooyi pursued higher studies from Yale University in Public and Private Management communications. The importance of communication as a marketing strategy that she learned at Yale stayed with her and prodded her to become one of the best Indian woman entrepreneurs. She struggled for 2 years, the duration of her course, with finances and reportedly had no money to buy business suits. This woman CEO of the future attended her business school and her first interviews in a saree!
Indra Nooyi pursued higher studies from Yale University in Public and Private Management communications. The importance of communication as a marketing strategy that she learned at Yale stayed with her and prodded her to become one of the best Indian woman entrepreneurs. She struggled for 2 years, the duration of her course, with finances and reportedly had no money to buy business suits. This woman CEO of the future attended her business school and her first interviews in a saree!
Motorola, PepsiCo And The Success Story Begins:
After completing her degree in 1980 she went work for a Boston Business Solutions Consultancy where she got her on-the-job experience for business strategy. Being the achiever that she is her next jump was to Motorola, then known as ABB. Her 6 years there were very productive and laid the foundation for her 'dream job' at PepsiCo. In 1994, she made that path breaking move to PepsiCo and was soon promoted to the post of CFO.
After completing her degree in 1980 she went work for a Boston Business Solutions Consultancy where she got her on-the-job experience for business strategy. Being the achiever that she is her next jump was to Motorola, then known as ABB. Her 6 years there were very productive and laid the foundation for her 'dream job' at PepsiCo. In 1994, she made that path breaking move to PepsiCo and was soon promoted to the post of CFO.
The Visionary Strategist:
Successful women in business are few and far but here is a woman very much worth her salt. She sealed crucial deals for PepsiCo like buying off the Tropicana juice line and acquisition of Quaker Oats.She has been in the front line for business communications of the global cola giant Pepsi and handles their marketing strategies single-handed. Need we say more about this charismatic Indian woman who has managed to avoid the lime light in spite of her legendary success.
Successful women in business are few and far but here is a woman very much worth her salt. She sealed crucial deals for PepsiCo like buying off the Tropicana juice line and acquisition of Quaker Oats.She has been in the front line for business communications of the global cola giant Pepsi and handles their marketing strategies single-handed. Need we say more about this charismatic Indian woman who has managed to avoid the lime light in spite of her legendary success.
The Mother, Wife At Home:
Indra Nooyi is married to Raj, who in her words is a 'fantastically supportive husband'. They have two daughters. In spite of breaking the glass ceiling and becoming a top corporate in the US, she retains her belief in the good luck of Ganesha and her family values. A Indian woman who is truly an inspiration.
Indra Nooyi is married to Raj, who in her words is a 'fantastically supportive husband'. They have two daughters. In spite of breaking the glass ceiling and becoming a top corporate in the US, she retains her belief in the good luck of Ganesha and her family values. A Indian woman who is truly an inspiration.
HAFIZAH USAHAWAN BERJAYA
Oleh
Mohd Anwar Patho Rohman
LAWATAN: Zainal (tengah) melihat operasi membuat sarung tangan di kilang milik Hafizah (kiri) dalam lawatannya ke Kampung Sungai Chenaam, Sungai Setar Kecil, Nibong Tebal.
LAWATAN: Zainal (tengah) melihat operasi membuat sarung tangan di kilang milik Hafizah (kiri) dalam lawatannya ke Kampung Sungai Chenaam, Sungai Setar Kecil, Nibong Tebal.
NIBONG
TEBAL: Perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) memainkan peranan penting dalam
pembangunan dan perkembangan ekonomi terutama sektor pembuatan yang menjadi
penggerak utama dalam pertumbuhan ekonomi negara. Ini kerana, PKS boleh
dijadikan sebagai tulang belakang dan pendukung dalam memenuhi hasrat dan
cita-cita wawasan pembangunan ekonomi negara selepas 2020. Secara umumnya, PKS membuka banyak peluang pekerjaan, membantu melahirkan dan
meningkatkan kemahiran tenaga kerja baik di peringkat pekerja mahupun peringkat
pengurusan dan membantu dalam meningkatkan arus pemindahan teknologi asing.
Oleh itu, tidak hairanlah ada individu yang sanggup melabur untuk menceburi
bidang PKS kerana menyedari peluang dan keuntungan yang mampu diraih. Selain
bertujuan mendapatkan keuntungan, PKS adalah industri yang menyedia peluang
pekerjaan terutama penduduk setempat, lebih-lebih lagi jika tapak
pengeluarannya terletak di luar bandar. Bagi
menyahut seruan kerajaan menggalakkan PKS terutama di luar bandar, seorang
wanita, Hafizah Mohd Isa, memberanikan diri membina sebuah kilang menghasilkan
sarung tangan pelbagai guna pakai buang di Kampung Sungai Chenaam di sini.
Kilang yang diberi nama Metro Glove Suppliers (MGS) yang ditubuhkan pada 2001
dengan modal pusingan RM100,000, selain modal membeli 100 mesin menjahit
bernilai RM200,000.
Hafizah, 38, ibu kepada seorang anak perempuan, beruntung kerana mendapat
sokongan dan dorongan daripada suami, Mohadzir Ahmad, untuk menceburi
perusahaan yang jarang disertai Bumiputera. Pengurus berjiwa besar ini menyewa
tanah milik Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan (PPK) Sungai Chenaam pada kadar RM500
sebulan untuk membolehkan kilangnya beroperasi. Siapa sangka kilang kecil dengan 45 pekerja itu kini mampu mengeluarkan
sehingga 15,000 dozen sarung tangan pelbagai guna dan mampu memperoleh
pendapatan sehingga RM70,000 sebulan. Produk keluarannya juga menjadi pilihan
kilang besar di negeri ini kerana memenuhi kehendak pasaran dengan berkonsepkan
pakai buang. Buatan dan kualiti sarung tangan yang dihasilkannya juga diakui
setanding dengan buatan luar negara oleh pihak industri. Lebih membanggakan
lagi, kilang kecil yang terletak agak jauh dari bandar besar ini memberikan
peluang pekerjaan kepada penduduk setempat khasnya golongan wanita yang terdiri
daripada suri rumah dan ibu tunggal. "Saya cuba menyahut seruan kerajaan menggalakkan Bumiputera menyertai
bidang perniagaan dan industri. Pembabitan saya dalam bidang ini mendapat
sokongan daripada suami kerana beliau juga terbabit dalam industri ini. “Lebih
membanggakan saya sebagai seorang wanita, kilang ini dapat menawarkan peluang
pekerjaan kepada penduduk di kampung ini khasnya golongan wanita," katanya
ketika ditemui, baru-baru ini.
Beliau bersyukur kerana mendapat pekerja yang berdedikasi walaupun kebanyakannya suri rumah yang tidak memiliki kelulusan atau pendidikan yang tinggi. Hafizah sendiri tidak percaya yang beliau mampu menjadi pengurus dengan menguruskan segala urusan perniagaan, operasi kilang, mencari pasaran dan berbincang dengan pelanggan. Namun berbekalkan pengalamannya yang pernah berkhidmat dalam institusi perbankan, ia menjadi kekuatan kepada dirinya untuk meneruskan perniagaan dengan bantuan suami. “Suami sangat menyokong dan dia adalah penguat semangat saya untuk terus berdiri dalam bidang ini," katanya. Wanita ini turut membayangkan sasaran MGS untuk meneroka pasaran sarung tangan pelbagai guna pakai buang ini ke luar negara berdasarkan permintaan yang diterima bagi pasaran domestik. Kewujudan kilang ini pernah mendapat perhatian bekas Timbalan Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah, Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman yang menganggap ia adalah contoh kejayaan Bumiputera menceburi PKS dan membantu membangunkan kawasan luar bandar. Kata Zainal, kewujudan kilang itu membantu meningkatkan pendapatan dan ekonomi penduduk setempat dan ia wajar dicontohi pengusaha PKS Bumiputera di negara ini. "Ia adalah contoh kejayaan usaha kerajaan melahirkan usahawan PKS dan memajukan kawasan kampung," katanya.
Beliau bersyukur kerana mendapat pekerja yang berdedikasi walaupun kebanyakannya suri rumah yang tidak memiliki kelulusan atau pendidikan yang tinggi. Hafizah sendiri tidak percaya yang beliau mampu menjadi pengurus dengan menguruskan segala urusan perniagaan, operasi kilang, mencari pasaran dan berbincang dengan pelanggan. Namun berbekalkan pengalamannya yang pernah berkhidmat dalam institusi perbankan, ia menjadi kekuatan kepada dirinya untuk meneruskan perniagaan dengan bantuan suami. “Suami sangat menyokong dan dia adalah penguat semangat saya untuk terus berdiri dalam bidang ini," katanya. Wanita ini turut membayangkan sasaran MGS untuk meneroka pasaran sarung tangan pelbagai guna pakai buang ini ke luar negara berdasarkan permintaan yang diterima bagi pasaran domestik. Kewujudan kilang ini pernah mendapat perhatian bekas Timbalan Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah, Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman yang menganggap ia adalah contoh kejayaan Bumiputera menceburi PKS dan membantu membangunkan kawasan luar bandar. Kata Zainal, kewujudan kilang itu membantu meningkatkan pendapatan dan ekonomi penduduk setempat dan ia wajar dicontohi pengusaha PKS Bumiputera di negara ini. "Ia adalah contoh kejayaan usaha kerajaan melahirkan usahawan PKS dan memajukan kawasan kampung," katanya.
Oleh
MAZLINA ABDUL MAJID
JURIFAH
menerima anugerah Usahawan Jaya daripada Mohd. Johari (kanan) pada Seminar
Usahawan Industri Asas Tani 2010 di Kuala Lumpur semalam.KUALA LUMPUR - Seorang bekas pegawai sebuah bank di ibu negara, Jurifah Kadis, 43, sangat meminati baulu gulung namun agak sukar baginya memperoleh kuih tradisional itu di pasaran.
Kesukaran
itu akhirnya mendatangkan idea kepadanya untuk mempelajari cara-cara membuat
baulu hingga mendorongnya menjalankan perniagaan dengan jenama 'Baulu Classiq'
dengan modal permulaan sebanyak RM15,000. Dia
kemudian mengambil keputusan berhenti kerja makan gaji dan menjalankan
perniagaan itu secara sepenuh masa.
Dalam
tempoh 10 tahun, Jurifah tidak menyangka perniagaan hasil titik peluhnya itu
mendatangkan pulangan lumayan dan kepayahan tersebut dibalas apabila dinobatkan
sebagai pemenang utama pada Pertandingan Usahawan Jaya 2009/2010 (Kategori
RM250,000). Dia
menerima wang tunai RM3,000, trofi kristal dan sijil penghargaan yang
disampaikan oleh Timbalan Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani, Datuk Mohd.
Johari Baharum pada Seminar Usahawan Industri Asas Tani 2010 di sini semalam. "Dalam
menjana perniagaan, saya juga berbesar hati kerana AgroBank (dulu dikenali
sebagai Bank Pertanian Malaysia) banyak memberi laluan mudah kepada saya untuk
membuat pinjaman.
"Pada
masa sama, dalam tempoh sebulan sahaja, saya berjaya mendapat sijil halal
daripada Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim)," kata Jurifah yang
menekankan bahawa memperoleh sijil halal adalah penting bagi meyakinkan para
pengguna.
STAR Studio Image Consultancy
A once familiar face with TV3 as the anchor reader, her training programs is catered for organizations, individual and youth programs. Being a TV personality and her expertise in these areas has made her the speaker for many government agencies campaign and programs and also campaigns for some beauty companies.
Star Studio Image Consultancy prides itself as trainers to some of the giant multinational companies, local corporations and government agencies while Newspaper Direct successfully given the rights by the government to print and distribute 600 titles of foreign newspapers to its market in Malaysia.
Star Studio Image Consultancy contributes charity work by training children’s etiquette and free hair cut services to the children in Rumah Titian Kaseh orphanage and Cheshire Homes for the disabled.
LR
Designs Sdn Bhd
Datin Nadzley Noordin is the Adviser to LR Designs Sdn Bhd., wholly owned by
Bumiputras and 90% owned by women Entrepreneur. A Chartered Accountant,
graduated from Univerasity of Malaya with Economic Degree (Accounting) and Post
Graduate in Accounting. Before she become an entrepreneur, has worked in
the Ministry of Finance (Treasury) for almost 20 years. She has serve as
Accountant in Public Services Department( Pension Division), Chief Accountant
in Registrar of Companies, First Lady appointed by Goverment to be State Treasurer
(Penang), Finance Director of Fisheries Authority(LKIM) , Head Of Account
in Ministry of Health, Director Of Account for Ministry of Home Affairs
including Registration Department, Immigration Department, Prison
Department,RELA PDRM, Penapisan Filem and lastly Internal Auditor of Accountant
General Office. She has opted for early retirement from government service and
started her Interior Design Company in 1997. While she was in the government she
has been awarded with two awards from His Royal Highness Yang DiPertuan Agong
ie.Kesatria Mangku Negara(KMN) and Ahli Mangku Negara (AMN) and twice awarded
Excellent Service Award from Minister of Home Affairs and also Prime Minister.
LR Designs
Sdn. Bhd. has been in existence for almost 14 years. The first two big
projects were Talam Medical Centre and Bank Industry of Malaysia which has a
project value of more than RM 20 Million. When the government launched the new
township for government offices in Putarajaya, LR Designs Sdn. Bhd. has been
awarded a few ministry including Ministry of Science and Technologies (Parcel
C), Ministry of Youth and Sports (Parcel G),Ministry of Education and Attorny
General Department. Other projects include Menara Telekom, Pasar Rakyat Sdn.
Bhd., MKN Sdn. Bhd., and Guinot Boutique at KLCC.
Even
though she is not a qualified Interior Designer, she manage the company well
with the support services and the other qualified Interior Design Partner.
Total value of the project that has been completed by LR Designs amounts to
almost RM 115 Million. Other than this Interior Design company, she also
Directors for family owned Investment and Property Companies, locally and
overseas.
Beside managing her own business, Datin Nadzley
also actively involve in Non-Government Organizations such as, Malaysian
Institute Of Accountant (MIA), National Council Of Women Organisation
(NCWO-Hon.Treasurer) ,NAWEM (Pass Vice President Memborship,present Committee
Member), PUSPANITA Kebangsaan (Pass Hon-Treasurer, Present Deputy Chairman for
Life Member,Welfare and Religious Affair Commitee and Treasurer), Association
for Bumiputra Women in Business (PENIAGAWATI- Life Member, Pass Internal
Auditor), Federation of Women Entrepreneur of Malaysia (FEM- Internal-Auditor),
Women Graduate Association of Malaysia (PSWM-Internal-Auditor) and PERTIWI . She
also involve in supporting an orphanage and single mother’s Home in Selangor
and Kedah.
Data-Tech
Sdn Bhd
Sarojini
Ruth Rajahser is the Managing Director of Data-Tech Sdn Bhd, a company
providing outsourcing services for transferring data into input media such as
paper document, microfilm and microfiche. A true entrepreneur at heart,
Sarojini’s success story began with a humble start as a data entry operator.
She quickly moved up the ranks to supervisor and her efforts paid-off when she
bought over the company where she start her career. She built the company into what it is today and is indeed very proud of the
status it now enjoys as the leader in providing data entry services. The
company is the largest data capture outsourcing bureau in Malaysia with over
300 staff, majority of who have more than 15 years of experience. Data-Tech Sdn
Bhd will tailor the outsourcing services according to your business needs be it
Offsite or Onsite. Data-Tech will provide the data capture facility and the
resources at its/client's site and will execute a non-disclosure agreement with
the client to guarantee the confidentiality of the information.
Data-Tech Sdn Bhd assists business enterprises and statutory bodies in Malaysia
to convert their data from analog to digital format during the era of
Malaysia's computerization process. Today Data-Tech Sdn Bhd uses
state-of-the-art conversion tools which allows you to convert data of any
format to electronic. Even
though she is not a qualified Interior Designer, she manage the company well
with the support services and the other qualified Interior Design Partner.
Total value of the project that has been completed by LR Designs amounts to
almost RM 115 Million. Other than this Interior Design company, she also
Directors for family owned Investment and Property Companies, locally and
overseas.
Beside managing her own business, Datin Nadzley
also actively involve in Non-Government Organizations such as, Malaysian
Institute Of Accountant (MIA), National Council Of Women Organisation
(NCWO-Hon.Treasurer) ,NAWEM (Pass Vice President Memborship,present Committee
Member), PUSPANITA Kebangsaan (Pass Hon-Treasurer, Present Deputy Chairman for
Life Member,Welfare and Religious Affair Commitee and Treasurer), Association
for Bumiputra Women in Business (PENIAGAWATI- Life Member, Pass Internal
Auditor), Federation of Women Entrepreneur of Malaysia (FEM- Internal-Auditor),
Women Graduate Association of Malaysia (PSWM-Internal-Auditor) and PERTIWI . She
also involve in supporting an orphanage and single mother’s Home in Selangor
and Kedah.
Securiforce Sdn Bhd
Datuk Maznah Hamid is one of the entrepreneur that capable in
Datuk Maznah is the Securiforce Group Executive Chairman. She established and
steered Securiforce from an unknown entity 27 years ago, to become the largest
Security provider in Malaysia, successfully rising over more than a hundred
other competitive companies of a similar nature. She live with her grandmother from 5 years old due to the family
break up and this make her more strong and confident that this weakness can be
turned into the strength. When she in the college, the interest that she have
is in literature studies as that she focused on that area. As she graduated
from the college, she find herself working as teacher and translator at
teaching institute. After that, she continued to work as translator at
multinational companies.
She get the ideas of choosing a security company as she works at
the rich community houses as the translator and she saw the business
opportunity for the security services especially for the rich community. Her
ideas also being supported from the rich friends who said the security services
still lack in investment and also had a big opportunity. She started her
business with merely RM5000 from her savings compared to other companies of
similar nature that began with capitals between RM500000 to RM1milion. She now
heads nearly 50 branches with employees reaching to almost 5000, hundreds of
firearms and numerous armoured vehicles. The services are not only limited to
static guard but also spans to logistic, cash-in-transit, cash management, high
tech cargo management, armoured trucking service, as well as
numerous other services. Securiforce provides a complete and total security
package,pioneering the concept of ‘total security’ As a result of her sheer
dedication and management ability, Securiforce has now developed and
diversified into many subsidiary companies, thriving from strength to strength.
One such example is Danau Lumayan, a Property Development Company situated at
Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras. Danau Lumayan has signed a Privatised Agreement with
Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur to develop a parcel of Land situated at Bandar Tun
Razak. Danau Lumayan builds and sells exclusive condominiums and penthouses.
Securiforce, in its continuing effort to become a fully integrated security and
total solutions provider to meet customer needs, has established Securiforce
Logistics, a sea and air freight forwarding service with branches in Singapore,
Bangkok, China, Korea, Turkey and Germany.
The key success in
Datuk Maznah’s story is that all her companies were established and
progressively growing without any aid from the banking institutions. This has
gained her much admiration and respect from peers as well as competitors. Her
philosophy of success and achievement can be seen in her belief that “the main
capital in business is yourself”. She carries the principle of “we should
produce a workload more than what we are paid for, as in the end, we will be
rewarded much more than what we have done”. The main principle that we
must hold all this is a burning desire to take the cake. The burning desire is
strong emotional drive to move all the "machinery" within us to
achieve a dream. It would also make us more resilient and able to face various
challenges and trials after success.
Entrepreneurship
is an area that is challenging, full of risk. Therefore, if we want to be a
successful entrepreneur, we need to make a complete inventory. To emerge as a dynamic
entrepreneur, we need to prepare mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
As an entrepreneur, we have to face various forms of challenges, obstacles and
expectations. It will come in many shapes and forms that will be challenging
ourselves, faith, our strength as an entrepreneur title. I should emphasize,
especially to students of high school graduates who want to become
entrepreneurs, create self-sufficient supply and try to establish personal and
personality characteristics of a pure entrepreneur before venturing into
entrepreneurship. What is not taught in
a college or university of science business, is something different from what
would be encountered in business. This is because all the techniques or tactics
of business to be obtained indirectly when a person is to venture forth in this
field.
This principle has lead to major successes in her business
career. For her outstanding leadership qualities and distinguished
entrepreneurship, she was invited to introduce the motivational programme at
TV3 in 1990, where she was made Motivational Counsellor and Success Counsellor
at both RTM and TV3. Hence, we quite often hear her familiar voice over the
radio, and see her appearances on television. She was also a
Motivational Counsellor of Human Development, Business Development and a
Success Counsellor at several institutes of higher learning. Her endurance,
’guts feeling’, ’persistency’ and ‘sustaining power’ become her most prized
asset. She continuously tries to instill those strengths through her ”ZERO TO
HERO” seminar and ”AWAKEN THE SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP/INTRAPRENEURSHIP”.
Through this seminar, she hopes to awaken and empower the entrepreneurship
spirit within every individual. Due to her deep interest in human development, she created MMC,
Maznah Motivational Centre, which conducts seminars on business and human development. She
had also published a book entitled “MOTIVASI MEMBURUKEJAYAAN” (3K) in Malay and
Mandarin, based on her principles, practices and experiences, in her effort to
strive for excellent, powerful results. The English version for the 3K book
will be published soon. The
encouragement and the way of thinking is one of the elements that can be
learned from Datuk Maznah Hamid. She proves that success is achievable with the
determination and also hard working.
Peneraju Kemajuan Pekebun Kecil
PONTIAN:
Selepas beberapa bulan mendirikan rumah tangga dengan suami tersayang Isman
Marzuki tersemat keinginan di hati Alimah Katderi, 60, untuk menjadi usahawan
terkenal dan berjaya dengan cemerlang. Bagaimanapun,
ketika itu, Alimah tidak tahu apakah jenis perniagaan yang akan dijalankan dan
beliau mula meninjau peluang perniagaan yang ada termasuk mengambil kira
pasaran dan permintaan pelanggan. Bersama
suami yang sentiasa memberi sokongan dan dorongan, Alimah rajin berkunjung ke
beberapa karnival makanan ringan hasil tani yang dianjurkan oleh Jabatan
Pertanian dan RISDA sama ada yang diadakan di daerah Pontian atau di luar
daerah untuk melihat pelbagai pameran dan jualan hasil tani.
Usaha itu
ternyata membuka minda dan mendorong Alimah untuk mencuba menceburi bidang
berkenaan, khususnya menghasilkan makanan ringan berasaskan hasil tani. Alimah yang ditemui di kedai jualan makanan
ringan hasil tani di Kampung Parit Wak Jabir, Jalan Parit Ismail, Benut
Pontian, berkata dia begitu tertarik untuk menjadi usahawan makanan ringan
hasil tani dan meluahkan perasaan yang terpendam itu kepada suaminya untuk
mendapat restu. "Berkat sokongan
suami yang juga mempunyai citacita sama maka keinginan menjadi usahawan mulai
terserlah, inilah yang dikatakan sehati sejiwa, sehaluan mempunyai cita-cita
yang serupa," katanya. Namun,
kerana ketiadaan modal yang mencukupi beliau mencuba secara kecil-kecilan
memproses makanan ringan itu dari hasil tani, seperti pisang, ubi, keledek dan
keladi yang sedia ada ditanam di halaman rumahnya. Alimah berkata, pada peringkat awalnya
makanan ringan hasil tani itu hanya dijual di beberapa kedai yang berdekatan
dan di kantin sekolah.
"Atas
rasa yakin, perniagaan saya maju dalam tempoh yang singkat dan memasarkan
produk ke Johor Bahru, Singapura dan Kuala Lumpur, selain menerima tempahan
majlis keramaian.
"Apa
yang penting mutu produk kerana pengguna menitikberatkan barangan bermutu
tinggi pada harga yang berpatutan," katanya sambil memberitahu, permintaan
makanan ringan meningkat setiap kali ada majlis keramaian khususnya majlis
perkahwinan. Keadaan itu memaksa Alimah
bekerja lebih masa bagi memenuhi permintaan pelanggan. Kata beliau, perusahaannya kini berjalan
dengan lancar atas bantuan lima pekerja yang mahir serta menggunakan peralatan
moden bagi membantu menjalankan tugas dengan mudah, selesa dan berkualiti. "Bagi
menghargai jasa pekerjanya yang berdisiplin dan patuh itu, saya memberi pakaian
dan wang sagu hati mengikut kemampuan ketika menjelang hari raya,"
katanya. Beliau memberitahu, kejayaan
yang dicapainya itu adalah atas sokongan penduduk tempatan, justeru itu sebagai
membalas atas sokongan mereka itu, Alimah memproses pelbagai makanan hasil tani
itu dari bahan mentah seperti pisang, ubi, keledek, keladi dan lainlain yang
dibekalkan oleh penduduk tempatan.
Katanya,
kejayaan itu mungkin tidak dikecapi tanpa bantuan Jabatan Pertanian Daerah
Pontian dan RISDA yang menyediakan pelbagai mesin serta membantu mendirikan
bangunan tambahan.
"Saya
bercita-cita memperluaskan perusahaan berdasarkan sambutan orang ramai terhadap
pengeluarannya," katanya yang kini berstatus ibu tunggal selepas kematian
suaminya sejak 11 tahun yang lalu.
Di
atas kecekalan menjalani liku-liku hidup sebagai ibu tunggal, ibu kepada empat
anak yang masing-masing sudah berumah tangga, beliau kini menjadi pengusaha
makanan ringan hasil tani yang berjaya sekali gus menyambung cita-cita yang
terpahat ketika bersama suami tersayang.
"CT MUAZ" MAMPU RAWAT
PENYAKIT
Taman
Delima, Sungai Petani – Minuman amat penting bagi meneruskan
kehidupan berbanding makanan. Sekiranya manusia tidak mendapat air selepas
tujuh hari, manusia akan mengalami kematian. Demikianlah yang dibicara oleh
usahawan wanita yang mengusahakan air berkabonat sejak 8 tahun yang lalu. Oleh kerana minat untuk berniaga, Siti
Faridah Ismail telah menubuhkan sebuah syarikat air berkabonat CT Muaz
Enterprise di Taman Delima, dekat Sungai Petani. Minat dan usaha yang ditonjolkan beliau telah
membuktikan bahawa wanita turut boleh menjadi usahawan yang berjaya. Beliau telah mengeluarkan modal sebanyak RM50
000 untuk memulakan perniagaan dengan membeli mesin-mesin bancuhan air minuman
secara manual dan lain-lain keperluan perniagaan.“Saya mensasarkan untuk
mengeluar serta mengedar 1 juta botol air seminggu dan akan menjualnya ke
pasaran berhampiran termasuk sekitar negeri Kedah, Pulau Pinang dan Perak.
Selain itu, saya juga ingin meluaskan pasaran saya ke peringkat lebih tinggi.”
“Sekiranya
ada pihak yang berminat untuk menjadi agen pemasaran produk minuman berkabonat
ini turut dialu-alukan dan boleh la melawat ke kilang saya yang terletak di
Taman Delima. Hal ini dapat saya janjikan bahawa perniagaan ini akan membawa
keuntungan yang berlipat kali ganda. Ketika
seluruh umat islam sedang mengerjakan ibadan puasa pada bulan ramadhan, saya
telah membuka sebuah gerai kecil di Bazar Ramadhan Taman Delima. Hasil jualan
air berkabonat ini mampu mendapat RM1 000 sehari.” Jelasnya. Sehingga kini, beliau telah berjaya
menghasilkan lapan perisa minuman air berkabonat, iaitu perisa Kola, Kola Biru,
Oren, Strawberi, Anggur, Soda, Sasri, dan Buah-buahan. Keistimewaan air
berkarbonat ini adalah menggunakan gula stevia.
“Gula stevia ini mempunyai pelbagai kebaikan kerana ia juga merupakan
air gula yang boleh merawat penyakit. Antara penyakit yang boleh dirawat dengan
air ini adalah buasir, tekanan darah tinggi, menghilangkan parut, menghilangkan
jerawat dan jeragat, mengurangkan migrin, mengatasi batuk dan sesak nafas.”
“Pada
zaman kini, kebanyakkan pengusaha minuman berkarbonat hanya mementingkan
kandungan gula dan keuntungan semata-mata. Tetapi, mereka mengabaikan kesihatan
pembeli dan pengguna. “Oleh itu, saya
menyeru agar orang ramai mencuba dan membeli air minuman berkabonat CT Muaz
kerana ia boleh merawat pelbagai penyakit selain mengurangkan rasa kehausan.”
Terangnya.
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