Starting a business after medical studies might be a daunting experience for some but for the husband and wife team of Dr Wishnu Varthan and Dr Ravinpreet Kaur, it was something natural that they had always wanted to do. In searching for a niche market, they stumbled on the idea of catering to the demands of the Indian community. In a conversation with Top 10 of Malaysia, the doctors spoke on the reasons for setting up the business, their team dynamics, management styles and future expansion plans. 

Dr Wishnu Varthan and Dr Ravinpreet Kaur are two doctors who came together and successfully pioneered a new chain of medispa called, Skin Master. Both doctors started with very different ideals but became a team on wanting to be involved in making people look good. In 2017, Skin Master was launched in Kuala Lumpur as a medispa, the only medispa in Malaysia offering non-invasive beauty solutions from a medical perspective.

“I have always wanted to be a fashion designer but I complied with my parent’s desire and am the first doctor amongst my generation within the family. I graduated from medical school in the Ukraine in 2008,” says Dr Ravinpreet, “On coming back I ventured into medical management and started initiatives that filled the gap for locum doctors.” Dr Wishnu, on the other hand, went the traditional way. “My family consists of doctors en bloc, from my dad, mom and siblings,” says Dr Wishnu. “I worked for the government before I opened my own medispa.”

Both doctors got to know about aesthetic specialization while growing their locum services business from 2009 to 2013. “While sourcing for aesthetics specialists, I realized the huge potential in the aesthetics industry and medispas in particular,” recollects Dr Ravinpreet.

Initiated by Dr Ravinpreet in 2017, based on the passion to nurture something that reflects her interests in beauty, Skin Master has grown tremendously with the supportive involvement of Dr Wishnu. “There were initial challenges as medispa was a new concept and people were used to aesthetic clinics,” reminisces Dr Ravinpreet.

The business is backed by doctors and the services consist of non-invasive laser treatments. “Our non-ablative services are handled by trained medical and beauty therapists and supported by state-of-the-art machines within a spa-like ambience,” explains Dr Ravinpreet. “We provide services from head to toe including medical facials notably carbon peel, oxygen infusion treatment, red carpet facials, skin lightening, laser hair removal, fat freezing and signature hair growth programmes,” says Dr Ravinpreet.

“Skin Master’s services which are adapted for tanned skin, has surprisingly turned out to be our success story,” says Dr Ravinpreet, “Our range of comprehensive services targeted for darker skin shades covers all major problem areas and it is hugely popular.” Dr Ravinpreet handles the business side and operations whereas Dr Wishnu provides financial and medical support.

“We have expanded to offer a greater range of extensive services in body sculpting and fat freezing for all races including the Chinese and Malay communities,” explains Dr Ravinpreet, “Our unique proposition in differentiating services according to skin tones has enabled us to offer bespoke services conducted by medical personnel. For 2020 we are expanding into hair and dental treatments.”

The recouping of investments within a year, expansion to eight outlets within two years and 150 average customers per day are milestones that speak volumes about the quality of its services, market demand and competitive pricing strategies. The hopes and vision are to turn Skin Master into an international revenue-generating business model. “The 5-year and 10-year future timelines include a “Smile Master”, “Hair Master” and potentially a “Menara Skin Master”,” says Dr Wishnu.

“My management and leadership skills drive the business as I provide hands-on training and ensure all employees adhere to the company’s policies, regulations and targets,” says Dr Ravinpreet, “The involvement of medically certified doctors and medical graduates sustain a high quality of services which improves customer confidence.”

As for work-life balance, once the business had stabilised, the couple has started to indulge in their love of travelling. Both being competitive personalities, they have learnt to balance the business and personal relationship.

Their advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is not to be afraid of change but to revisit, review and take things to the next level.

The post Soaring High On Eagle’s Wings appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

Firstly, doctors and nurses. These front-liners deserves all the credits as they work round the clock to ensure that all patients are treated accordingly while being at risk of getting infected. Secondly, pharmacy workers play an equally important role where they ensure that there is a supply of medicines available for emergencies. Besides, praises should also be given to food outlet operators who continue to cook for their customers and ensuring that they do not go hungry, catering especially to customers who do not know how to cook. Subsequently, this leads to the need for food delivery riders such as GrabFood and Foodpanda to execute their work to keep the public fed.

Also, grocery store workers play a vital role as they keep their shops running and shelves stocked while cashiers work to attend to crowds buying household supplies during the crisis. Likewise, cleaners and sanitation workers who went above and beyond to sanitise public areas while wearing personal protective equipment to ensure that the public health is well taken care of.

Moreover, pilots and flight attendants who are often sideline should be given credit as many are sent to bring home stranded Malaysian overseas, thus exposing themselves to Covid-19 infection. Similarly, couriers who work tirelessly to ensure that the public received their orders of grocery items, personal care and household products. Lastly, the police deserve as much praise as they are responsible in keeping public safety in order while working tireless round-the-clock to maintain the social order of the public and ensuring that the public obeys instructions given by the government.

To all other essential workers working behind the scenes; banking, telecommunications, electricity, media, the waste collectors, e-hailing drivers, all the personnel in the public and private sectors, thank you for serving the nation as the backbones in the essential services.

The post Top 10 Unsung Heroes during Covid-19 Crisis appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

The spread of Covid-19 has plague businesses worldwide, plunging the economic arena into standstill while countries are fighting to contain and eradicate the virus once and for all. In a recent interview with Top 10 of Malaysia, Marcus Low shares his thought on how his business was affected during this perilous times, and how his company is doing their bits in contributing to the front-liners fighting for the country.

“I think just like many companies in Malaysia, the biggest impact that we faced was working from home, as we have never done it before and we are not prepared for it,” says Marcus Low, who is the co-founder as well as the managing director of KYY Homes. KYY Home provides a one stop property investment and property management solution for Malaysians, especially when it comes to room rental, vacation home and house rental.

Low added that their sales have been declining since January, especially in the vacation house rentals. “Covid-19 has affected everyone globally, not just in Malaysia, but more prominently in China. So the number of tourists has been dwindling and is steadily reducing. We are also worried that most of our tenants may face some financial difficulties in paying their rents.”

Low explains that his company is coping better now compare to when the Movement Control Order (MCO) was first announced. “ZOOM has been a great tool where we can check in with each other where we can have a chat with the team to make sure they are aware of their job-scope. Doing this daily also ensure that we can have the bonding even though we cannot physically see each other,”

“Statistics has also shown that our Airbnb is doing badly, so before MCO was implemented, we produced a few videos for all the properties that we are having and then we can provide an online viewing for potential tenants instead of requiring physical viewing. At the same time, we are also providing two months rental free promotion and guarantee if the tenant rents the room without viewing it prior,” says Low.

Low explains that this is to help all the new tenants to go through the crisis together. Besides that, KYY Home is offering a rental discounts scheme to their current tenants who might be facing financial difficulties.

Also, Low said that the Covid-19 pandemic is a good wakeup call to all Malaysian business owners to change their mindset from running an offline business to an online business. “Not necessary fully online, but we must have the right mindset. Right now, I think everyone can see clearly that any businesses without tech support or online platform will one day be disrupted by a situation such as this.”

“So we have to be able to brainstorm things that can be done online or do sales online. We should mirror after China where people can quickly adapt to an online business model, right after the Covid-19. Lastly, we cannot put our sole focus on the impact that was brought by the current situation, but we must also put our attention in coming up with a solution,” Low added.

Currently, KYY Home is offering free accommodations to all the medical officers who are assigned to Hospital Sungai Buloh, Selangor, as part of the #kitajagakita program. Low is also urging residents, Airbnb providers, and property management companies around the area to help medical officers to find accommodations so that they can continue serving the country.  “I think this is the last thing that we can do as a Malaysian. We hope it can help relieve the burdens with these little efforts.”

The post Hands that give also receive appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

While the rest of the world is combating the deadly virus and trying to keep it at bay, many businesses are working out a back-up plan for the unprecedented aftermath of the pandemic. Here are some of the business strategies that SMEs can adopt after MCO:

• Negotiate rental with the landowner. After your business has been halted for an extended period of time, it would be advisable to negotiate land or office rental with the owner.
• Negotiate salary with workers. As can be seen from many businesses, many have lost their primary stream of income since MCO, in order for an employee to have secure job and avoid lay-offs, salary negotiation may be advisable during this period.
• Adapt more media/social media activities to promote your business. This is the time to make use of media to promote your businesses and services where social engagement is high.
• Start an online business. Break off the traditional brick and mortar business mindset. If your business hasn’t already had an online platform, it is high time to start one.
• Accept new sales channels. Instead of relying on in-person sales meetings, try reaching to customers on social media, Facebook, Instagram, or even LinkedIn.
• Work on long term investment. Take this as a wakeup call to invest your business for the long term. Always be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.
• Work on collaboration. Call partners and specialists and work out deals with them.
• Think about the after-effect of MCO. What customers want before and after MCO may very well change due to financial constraints and other factors, think of another way to sell your products.
• Think out of the box. Depending on the nature of your business, it is important to not limit yourself but to think and change according to situations.
• Always stay positive. A positive mind and a positive attitude will always bring the company through all uncertainties.

Covid-19 is just the storm before a rainbow. Companies should look forward to what may come after the crisis and stay relevant and focus on consumers.

The post Top 10 Business Strategies after Movement Control Order (MCO) appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

Many people assume that trust services are available only to the privileged few, but the CEO of UBB Amanah Berhad, Aida Othman, shares with Top 10 of Malaysia on why this essential service is redefined and thus making it affordable for everyone to secure their legacy and the future of their loved ones.

As a former practising lawyer, Aida Othman had seen many people faced financial difficulties when they find themselves in dire straits particularly in the event of an emergency or death. The victims of such financial hardships are usually children who are too young to understand the legal and regulatory implications, and sometimes are exploited or neglected by their loved ones due to ignorance or greed.

Having seen and advised clients on such matters, Aida aims to increase awareness among the general public about the importance of trusts as part of legacy planning and protection through her current role as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UBB Amanah Berhad, a licensed financial company that provides trust services and solutions.

“After practising law for several years, I progressed into the financial industry of which I had spent a further sixteen years working and gaining valuable insights about the financial regulatory environment and investment matters”, says the CEO of UBB Amanah Berhad.

“Along with my legal and compliance background and having studied the trust industry, I can see a lot of possibilities in the trust industry that are yet to be explored. The advantages of having a trust created for your family are limitless.”

UBB Amanah Berhad offers a variety of trust services and solutions for clients who wish to protect their legacies for the benefit of their beneficiaries. As trustees, UBB Amanah Berhad’s obligation is to ensure that every instruction given by the client in relation to the trust created, is always executed without any compromise.

Aida shares, “When I first became the CEO of the company about five years ago, our aim was to change the general mindset that trust services are not merely seen as an exclusive service reserved for the privileged few. It was the prevailing view that only the super wealthy could avail themselves of the benefits of a trust.”

“I wanted to redefine that model of trust services and create an essential service that was affordable for everyone. My hopes and vision are to have UBB Amanah’s name synonymous with trusts in Malaysia, as a household name and a go-to brand in estate planning and creation of trusts that people will regard as an affordable, creative and dependable advisor in their legacy planning. We are also aiming to be the first trust company to be listed on the BURSA Malaysia.”

The CEO adds, “People should view trust services as a mechanism to secure themselves and their families from the unforeseen vagaries and hardships of life. I’m thankful that over a period of time, with the trust products that we have created, people are beginning to have a different mindset about trusts.”

The clientele of UBB Amanah Berhad has, indeed, increased and expanded across Klang Valley as well as in Penang and Johor, so much so that regulatory authorities have begun to take notice of them as a creative and dependable advisor in legacy planning.

One of its popular trust products is UBB Cash Trust which offers a safety net for clients where they can place a sum of cash in a trust that will be made available to their named beneficiaries in the event of an emergency or death. UBB Cash Trust is a simple product yet easily accessible particularly during such unfortunate times when the families are strapped for cash.

“For instance, the release of insurance monies could take longer than expected, depending on the circumstances of the death. Similarly, anything belongs to the estate of the deceased cannot be released or withdrawn until a Grant of Probate is applied or a Letter of Administration is authorized by the Court.”

Aida continues, “Such delays put the family of the deceased under tremendous financial distress especially if the deceased was the sole breadwinner of the family. A cash trust is aimed at resolving this problem instantly as the monies are released to the named beneficiaries within seven days upon receiving the relevant documents.”

“The funds can be used by the beneficiaries to pay immediate bereavement expenses including legal fees incurred in accessing inheritance. The cash trust fund helps to alleviate financial issues faced by the family.”

Another trust product of UBB Amanah Berhad which will be popular among Malaysians is the Education Trust, an upcoming product expected to be launched in March 2020. The purpose of the education trust is for parents to set up a fund for their children’s education if they may not live to see it through.

“A trust is created for the child’s education until the child attains a certain age as predetermined by the parents. The trust ensures that the child’s education is never compromised upon the death of a parent or guardian.”

As Aida and her team work in changing general perceptions about trust services in the industry, their efforts were met with resistance. They had faced many challenges, most of which were attributed to the public’s lack of knowledge and exposure to the trust industry.

“It is natural that in the process of redefining the way we do things that we come across challenges as people are hesitatant to accept new ideas. However, we believe that the trust industry has a lot more to offer than what was before,” says the CEO.

“I took it upon myself to break down walls and create new and acceptable approaches and ideas by educating and creating awareness about what trusts can offer as well as giving clarity on the real benefits of taking an extensive approach in trust services and solutions.”

It was an uphill battle to be transformative in the industry but Aida overcame those challenges with the support and encouragement from her family especially her parents, and the invaluable insights and guidance from the company’s Board of Directors.

“It is the combined alchemy of these factors that shaped me into what I am today. I also believe that we can become whatever we want to be as long as we believe in our abilities, we know what to do and work toward getting things done.”

Aida is equally grateful for her highly motivated team of professionals at UBB Amanah, whom she believes play an important role in the growth and success achieved by the company.

“I once read a story about John F. Kennedy who visited the NASA Headquarters, asking the janitor there, why he seemed to be enjoying his job so much. The janitor responded, ‘I am helping to put a man on the moon!’. I was amazed by how inspirational a leader must be for the janitor to feel that he was also an important part of that mission.”

“I aspire to be that kind of leader – a leader who ensures that everyone in the company, even the cleaning lady, feels a sense of belonging in the organisation, and that they are an integral part of the company’s success. I’d like to think that UBB Amanah is more than just a company – we are a family,” smiles the CEO.

As UBB Amanah Berhad continues to tap into the increasing potential of trust services and solutions in the industry, Aida and her team maintain that the creation of trusts is a vital part of legacy planning and protection, so that clients’ family members and loved ones can continue to enjoy the same benefits and advantages of that legacy.

That said, Aida advises the public to have some basic knowledge about the trust industry first before creating a trust for their beneficiaries. “Before you create a trust, make sure that you do the necessary research first about the industry. Do your homework on the range of trust products and services, and engage an organisation that has the right knowledge and expertise in running a trust.”

The post FORGING AHEAD IN THE WORLD OF TRUST SERVICES appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

In the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and the difficulties of the Movement Control Order (MCO), many news of Malaysians doing their part to support the frontliners as well as helping the underprivileged communities have been making rounds on social media. Here, Top 10 of Malaysia shares its list of the top 10 personalities who are considered national heroes in their efforts in helping the nation overcome this hardship and move on .

Datuk Dr Noor Hisham, Director-General of Health Malaysia

Dr Noor Hisham rose to fame ever since the outbreak of the virus. With his calm demeanour in handling the crisis, he has become the face of consistency and hope as the country battles the Covid-19 pandemic. His hard work have made him a beloved figure in the country. He has even gained the recognition of international media, who ranked him as one of the “world’s top doctors”.

Dato Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus, President of Mercy Malaysia

In addition to deploying the emergency response team, Dato Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus and his team also set up mobile clinics, distribute hygiene kits, as well as providing essentials such as food, face masks, hand sanitisers, PPE suits. Mercy Malaysia has also launched its own donation drive, where the funds are used to help test high risk and vulnerable communities including rural areas where there are newly identified clusters.

Melinda Looi, President of Malaysia Official Designers Association (MODA)

Looi led an initiative to sew PPE for front-liners to meet the demand from local hospitals while also joining forces with FashionValet in a fund raising campaign to buy fabric to sew PPEs. The association also teamed up with Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia to distribute gowns to its network of hospitals.

Melissa Tan, CEO of Getha

The company worked together with MODA to produce more PPE head covers and body suits for hospital front-liners while also donating latex mattresses and pillows to quarantine centres, clinics and hospitals across the nation.

John-Hans Oei, CEO of Cultiveat

Cultiveat decided to give away some of its harvested produce to the underprivileged communities while also bringing its business online to cope with the surplus produce brought about by low demand from their F&B partners. Since the start of MCO, it has partnered with NGOs to deliver fresh vegetables to the refugees, the disabled and the poor families while also supplying food to the medical frontliners.

Tengku Zatashah Idris, Volunteer at Kechara Soup Kitchen, Board of Trustees at Food Bank Malaysia Foundation, founded #zerofoodwastage

Renowned for her social initiatives, Tengku Zatasha’s main goal was to continue to get food for the vulnerable during Movement Control Order (MCO) period. She has also assisted in getting funding as well as the approval of the Federal Territories authorities, ensuring that Kechara Kitchen is able move around to help the communities during the MCO.

Datin Vivy Yusof & Dato Fadzarudin Anuar, Founder of FashionValet

When Datin Vivy saw the chairman of Universiti Teknologi Mara donating portable air conditioners to hospitals, she decided to follow suit. The couple donated air conditioners, laptops, cash and food. They have also put together a crowd funding site for front-liners and have managed to raised more than RM1 million.

Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, Founder of Country Heights Conglomerate

Tan Sri Lee pulled resources from his healthcare and wellness arm and initiated a non-profit move to provide equipment for front-liners. Following his decision to bring in 30 million masks and 200,000 personal protection equipment from overseas, he chartered a private plane to China and brought back the items.

Hanna Alkaf, Malaysian author. Launched #kitajagakita initiative with a group of volunteer

Hanna was looking for a platform which can make it easier for people to donate or volunteer their services and that was when she launched #kitajagakita.com, which has garnered nationwide attention. Her effort did not go unnoticed as it has benefited organisations such as Women Aid’s Organisation, Mercy Malaysia, and Befrienders KL. Her efforts have brought much relief to some of the most vulnerable communities in the country.

William Cheah and YiLyn Chan, Founders of Kembara Kitchen

One the first week of MCO, they delivered supper to the doctors and nurses who were working the night shift at Hospital Sungai Buloh. They also ensured that the vulnerable communities are taken care of by providing care packages containing groceries and meals to the families affected by the MCO, the homeless as well as the disabled. However, their humanitarian works are not limited to just taking care of humans for they have also delivered frozen food to Zoo Negara for the animals, which are donated by Tesco Malaysia and Japanese Restaurant Maruki Ramen.

The post Top 10 Malaysian Personalities During Covid-19 Pandemic (Part 1) appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

Michael Lee is the quintessential example of a leader with an indomitable spirit. Against all odds, he has brought JM Group to the top of the water purifier market in the country and is currently the No.1 CUCKOO water purifier agency in Malaysia. In a recent interview with Top 10 of Malaysia, the visionary entrepreneur talks about his background and his hopes for the future of his business.

Born into a poor family in Penang, Michael Lee had to quit school at the age of 15 to help earn money to feed his family. However, due to his enterprising spirit, creativity and eye for opportunity, he rose fast in the factory where he took up his first job. When he left the factory 5 years later, he was already earning RM8,000 a month.

Always on the lookout for new opportunities, Lee tried the IT line and others, which led him to embark on an adventure from Malaysia to Europe and beyond. In 2009, he returned to Malaysia to pay his last respects to his father, and decided to stay a year back in his home country, acceding to the request by his mother.

In July 2009, Lee chanced upon the water purifier business through a friend. Excited, he decided to explore it. Starting off as a Service Technician, he rose through the ranks to become a Senior Manager in 2010. In fact, he was the only Senior Manager to achieve top net sales with the highest income of RM300,000 per annum. Eventually, in 2013, he was offered the role of General Manager of Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, Johor and Sabah.

In November 2014, Lee came upon the CUCKOO brand from Korea. It had just entered the Malaysian market in October 2014. Seeing a golden opportunity and loving a good challenge, he began his journey with CUCKOO, starting again from scratch.

In July 2015, Lee achieved a sales target of RM13,000 per month and was promoted to Natural Chief Manager (NCM). In December 2015, he was able to achieve an income of RM51,000 a month while in December 2016, Michael achieved his first 6-figure income in his life, with the CUCKOO Passive Income Marketing Plan. He was also the Second Runner-up Sales Champion.

In 2018, Lee’s JM Group was the biggest sales organisation in CUCKOO Malaysia, with 10,000 team members. “My goal is to be an internationally respected, successful and profitable business partner for CUCKOO Malaysia and Korea,” says Lee, founder of JM Group. “I want to ensure long-term stability and the ability to deliver optimum value for CUCKOO and my team members.”

In 2020, his enterprising spirit has taken flight again. He has diversified JM Group to launch WonderLab, which features the Haru Haru and Well Nature Series of skincare and cosmetic products from Korea.

“I realised that there is a big market for skincare, haircare and body care products for both men and women, which is even bigger than the beverage business. Our agents can sell both CUCKOO and WonderLab products,” says Lee. “When WonderLab was launched in January 2020, it had already achieved sales of RM456,000. In five to ten years’ time, I hope to grow the business to double or triple the 2020 annual revenue.”

“People always think I am having fun and do not need to work, but actually I’m working 24 hours a day. My life revolves around my work, because I have the passion for the business,” says Lee.

He feels that the current young graduates are different compared to those in his time, because they have the advantage of technology on their side. Technology gives them a global reach, which will enable them to achieve entrepreneurial success faster. However, he would like to advise them not to forget the basic principles of hard work, perseverance and determination. The foundation is important, and they should study how those before them had achieved their success.

The post A SOARING ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

A strong and determined lady, Catherine Chai, founder of Catson Group Sdn Bhd has persevered through many hardships and overcame various obstacles in life. Despite being a bright and intelligent student at school, she was a high achiever but was in constant depression at a young age due to the trauma that arose out of her parents’ divorce. However, Chai’s strong will and emulous spirit has brought her success through her company as its products have become well-known in the health and beauty industry. In a recent interview with Top 10 of Malaysia, the visionary entrepreneur talks about her background, the ups and downs of her life and her determination to rise above her circumstances.

Hailing from Johor Bahru and growing up in a broken family, Catherine Chai’s parents divorced when she was only 8 years old. “I was constantly asked about why my parents divorced and this has put me under a lot of pressure. I was doing well at school but started to dislike studying because I dated a guy who was a bad influence over me when I was 15. Although my PMR and SPM results were unfavourable, I took up a course in programming and graduated with a Diploma.”

Chai moved to Kuantan with her husband at the young age of 20. “I had a clear direction in life, which was handling online business,” says Chai. “I sold things at Taobao but as I was inexperienced, I didn’t reap any profit but lost money instead.”

Soon after, a friend gave her a facial cleanser to use and also supported her financially to start a business with this product. “My friend sold me 30 cleansers and encouraged me to sell them as I’m good in convincing people,” reminisces Chai. “I was working full time as a maintenance clerk at a hotel in Kuantan and later at my mother-in-law’s shop. I soon quit my full-time job because I felt embarrassed being constantly on my phone to manage my online business selling cleansers. However, I soon realised that the products were fake and that I was duped by my friend. That unfortunate incident taught me to be even more determined to succeed.”

In 2016, Chai and her husband saved up some money and moved back to Johor. The couple rented a place and set up an office there. “My business was doing well and my wealth eventually escalated,” says Chai with a sense of gratitude. After all the ups and downs, she finally managed to purchase her dream car, a Porsche, travel overseas for a vacation often and also had a wedding photo taken in Paris at the age of only 22. “However, things took a bad turn when my husband was declared bankrupt a year later after lending money to a friend in need and he borrowed money from a loan shark without informing anyone. I also received calls from our landlord because we haven’t been paying our rent for a few months. My husband’s phone would ring and I would answer calls from unknown numbers on his behalf and the callers were loan sharks who threatened us verbally.”

Chai knew that the only option was to get back up and earn more money to pay off her husband’s debts. “After much hard work and earning more money, we managed to pay off the debts within 11 months,” says Chai. “Soon, I came up with a brand, Bardox, a weight loss product which are best sellers in the market. I borrowed a huge amount of money from a bank to finance the products. Bardox is short for “bar” and “detox”. We currently have two products which are Nutri Detox Bar and Boomba. After the launch of the products, we sold more than 10,000 boxes in just five days. We also promoted our products in Hong Kong and it was also well received by the people there.”

The husband and wife team decided to call their company Catson Group as “Cat” is short for Catherine and “Son” is short for Chai’s husband’s name, Jason. “Our company’s core values are to be creative, aggressive, have trust in ourselves, to prioritise speed, take on every opportunity and to be nurtured to be a better person” says Chai.

“I love my career, husband and family the most in life. Although I don’t have many friends, I learned to socialise as I have to network with clients such as entrepreneurs and businessmen for the online business,” says Chai. “I learned how to mingle with my staff and allow flexibility as long as they complete their tasks within the stipulated time. Work-life balance is also something I practise now.”

With a heart full of gratitude, Chai expresses her thankfulness for what she has achieved so far. “I’m motivated to work harder and stay healthy so that my team could also live a better life. I’m also spending money wisely and constantly thinking of new ideas for Catson,” says Chai. “I want my family and the people around me to be happy, that is my goal in life. I also want to be a leader and role model to lead others to the right path,” says Chai who also has a noble intention in helping single mothers be independent financially.

“As I’ve experienced a lot of misfortunes and sadness in life, I always advise young people to save money, work hard to be successful when they are still young and be humble even when they are rich. They have the choice to live a better life and they should also continually improve themselves and keep on learning. Do not be afraid to take the plunge, if you fail, you can still start all over again,” says Chai.

The post TAKING THE BULL BY THE HORNS appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

From food to fashion, Malaysia has numerous homegrown retail brands that are well-known locally while some brands even expanded their outlets overseas. Malaysia has famous retail brands that were established many years ago while some are relatively new. In this issue, Top 10 of Malaysia takes a look at its list of the top ten power retail brands that were established locally in the 1990s to late 2000s. These brands are current go-to-places for Malaysians who need to shop for groceries, essentials, clothing, shoes, beauty products or to even enjoy a mouth-watering meal or indulge in a refreshing beverage.            

Secret Recipe

Founded by Datuk Steven Sim in 1997, Secret Recipe Cakes & Café Sdn Bhd is one of Malaysia’s largest café chain with more than 440 outlets in Malaysia and across Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Brunei, Maldives and Bangladesh. Secret Recipe offers a casual dining concept with a wide range of gourmet cakes and an extensive menu of Western and Asian cuisines and desserts. Its cafes are located in urban locations and shopping malls in major cities and it provides a modern contemporary and vibrant interior concept for diners.

KK Supermart

KK Supermart is an award-winning retail brand registered under KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd. It was established by Datuk Seri Dr KK Chai in 2001 under his parent company, KK Group of Companies. As a flagship business of KK Group, it has now expanded to nearly 300 units of retailing outlets in Malaysia, mainly in the Klang Valley, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, KLIA2, Malacca, Seremban and also across Nepal and India. KK Supermart is known as a modernised mom-and-pop store that provides 24 hours convenience service to Malaysians for their daily essentials.

Rotiboy

Founded by Hiro Tan in 1998 under Rotiboy Bakeshoppe Sdn Bhd, Roti Boy now has 18 stores in Malaysia, 35 stores in Indonesia and 150 stores in South Korea. It is famous for its Rotiboy bun, which is a generic name for Mexican buns. Other than buns, Roti Boy also sells breads, sandwiches, puffs and pastries, muffins, cakes, beverages and light meals such as fresh cut gourmet sandwiches, mushroom soup, salads, toast and eggs while at Korea, Roti Boy sells buns, coffee and ice-cream.

Tealive

Tealive is founded by Bryan Loo under his company, Loob Holding Sdn Bhd. Tealive was established in 2017 and it has over 150 outlets all throughout Malaysia and an outlet in the United Kingdom. Tealive offers a variety of drinks such as tea, coco, coffee, smoothies, sea salt cheese, matcha, fruit tea and sparkling juice. Its signature beverages are the Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea, Roasted Milk Tea with handmade Pearls and Sweet Potato, Passion Fruit Green Tea and Grapefruit Chia Tea Booster.

Koong Woh Tong

Established in 1990, Koong Woh Tong Sdn Bhd sells Chinese traditional herbal jelly called “Guiling Gao” and herbal teas, namely “Wu Hua Cha”, “Ya Sei Mei”, Five Flower Herbal Tea and Abrum Cantonese Plum Tea in Malaysia. Its herbal products made by authentic herbs formula contain healing effect and the business grew tremendously. Koong Woh Tong has 50 outlets within Peninsular Malaysia and eight outlets in Singapore.

BoatNoodle

BoatNoodle Sdn Bhd was established by Tony Lim in 2014 and it has over 46 outlets and 700 employees. BoatNoodle’s tagline is “serving little bowls of happiness” and it is well known for its Thai noodles. Customers get to experience the “bowl stacking” style of dining as it serves noodles that originate from the floating noodle markets of Ayutthaya.

BritishIndia

Established in 1994, BritishIndia was founded by Pat Liew and SH Yong. BritishIndia is a brand label under BTC Clothier Sdn Bhd and it has over 40 outlets across Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. Inspired by the grand romance of the Colonial era, BritishIndia offers timeless clothing designs made from cotton, linen and silk fabrics that are created for comfort and effortless dressing for men and women who loves to travel. The large stores of BritishIndia sell soft furnishings and special furniture pieces.

Empire Sushi

Founded by Lim Xui Jhi in 2013, Empire Sushi Group Sdn Bhd sells premium quality and affordable sushi with localised preference such as Gunkan, Nigiri, premium Maki, Onigiri, Temaki, Oden and Bento made from moist vinegar rice, in-house sauce and daily-delivered fresh ingredients. Empire Sushi provides quick service kiosks all around Malaysia.

Medifeet

Medifeet HQ Sdn Bhd was established in 2014 and led by Samantha Peh. It is one of the leading medical health shoe brands in Malaysia with 34 branches throughout Malaysia. Medifeet creates beautiful cushioned comfortable shoes with therapeutic, medical, protective, corrective and supportive features built-in to fix foot problems such as bunions, flat feet, hammer toe, minor uneven leg lengths, badly deformed feet and even posture misalignment. Its shoes are divided into categories such as ready-made, custom-made and semi-custom-made. The custom-made shoes come solely from New Zealand.

Ben’s Independent Grocer

Founded by Benjamin Yong, Ben’s Independent Grocer Sdn Bhd (B.I.G.) was established to be a place for customers to shop and dine. With a total of 7 outlets, B.I.G. sells produce such as seasonal fruits and vegetables from local farms, barbeque needs such as ready-to-grill meats, seafood such as shelled seafood, prawns and fishes, over 200 certified organic grocery products such as natural juices and Malaysian spices, herbs and traditional goodies. B.I.G. also provides social cooking activities, demonstrations and hands-on-workshops for customers to learn new cooking skills and recipes.

The post TOP 10 POWER RETAIL BRANDS IN MALAYSIA appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

In this modern era, businesses from various industries are willing to invest in digital services that will assist them in achieving their marketing goals. Digital services companies will aid clients to upgrade and improve their services by being digitally-friendly. In this issue, Top 10 of Malaysia shares its list of inspiring Bursa Malaysia listed companies (presented in no particular order) that are involved in various forms of digital services. These companies have greatly aided Malaysian people and businesses from various sectors in enabling tasks to be carried out conveniently.           

Datasonic Group Berhad

Datasonic Group Berhad is led by Datuk Haji Hanifah Noordin and it is one of Malaysia’s largest security-based ICT solution providers that always emphasises on the provision of excellent solutions and services. Datasonic is involved in the provision of ICT solutions such as e-Passport, national e-identification cards such as MyKad, comprehensive scalable security surveillance, smart card personalisation (secure ID or chip-based credit/debit/bank cards), customisation of software and hardware solutions, project management, consultancy, R&D and technical consultancy services. The subsidiaries under Datasonic are Datasonic Technologies Sdn Bhd, Datasonic Corporation Sdn Bhd, Datasonic Smart Solutions Sdn Bhd, Datasonic Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Datasonic Innovation Sdn Bhd, Datasonic New Zealand Limited, PT Datasonic Teknologi Indonesia, Datasonic International Sdn Bhd and Datasonic International W.L.L at Bahrain.

GHL Systems Berhad

Led by Danny Leong, GHL Systems Berhad is one of the leading payment service providers in the ASEAN region. It provides top-notch digital payment services and solutions which include mode of payments such as internet and mobile on a sale, rental or transactional basis. The company assists merchants, financial institutions, and telcos by simplifying their distribution, payment and collections needs. It has also successfully established a client base in more than 20 countries. GHL has over 1,000 employees across countries such as Malaysia Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, and Australia.

Dagang Nexchange Berhad

Led by Datuk Samsul Husin, Dagang NeXchange Berhad (DNeX) is one of the leading providers of award-winning eServices for trade facilitation. The company provides eServices for trade facilitation and IT consultancy. DNeX is also making its mark as a reputable company in the oil, gas and energy sector. DNeX is committed to serve as a technology partner for customers in their journey of digital transformation that results from digitalisation that affects various segments in the economy.

Omesti Berhad

Omesti Berhad is led by Mah Xian-Zhen and Gerard Monteiro. The company specialises in digital services such as digital court solutions (an end-to-end court management solution) corporate registry solution, HCM Cloud, accounting and inventory, video analytics, business broadband, ePayment systems, Data As-A-Service Solutions (enabling organisations to leverage and consult regarding data strategy), corporate secretarial services, payroll services, system integration and Cloud Document Management.

Grand-Flo Berhad

Led by Dato’ Yap Fook Choy, Grand-Flo Berhad has established successful data management and collaboration solutions for corporations ranging from fast moving consumer goods businesses to financial institutions, education organizations and even multinational establishments. The company has empowered businesses to manage their data efficiently. By specialising in Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC), it creates the ideal AIDC solutions for its clients’ business needs. Grand-Flo is also known for its ManageSuite solution with a comprehensive range of precision tools that has been proven to increase efficiency and minimise errors in data management. The company also has regional offices in other countries such as China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam.

Dataprep Holdings Bhd

Dataprep Holdings Bhd is led by Mohamad Sabir Mohamad Sabri and the company is an IT service provider that offers a full range of ICT services to clients from various industries such as the government, education, telecommunication and financial services and products. Among its services provided are enterprise servers, storage consolidation and virtualisation, Cloud computing enablement, data centre, network integration, ICT security solutions, product lifecycle management, customer premise equipment, ICT outsourcing services, payment solutions and services, multi-vendor support and ICT service management.

Heitech Padu Berhad

Led by Harris Ismail, Heitech Padu Berhad offers innovative and integrated ICT infrastructure solutions based on reliable and cost-effective technology. Its services include IT infrastructure solutions, system integration and application development. Besides, Heitech also focuses on areas such as our national security by inventing PintarID, an Identity Management Solution that covers the process from registration to issuance of ID documents. It is also capable of producing smart documents with the latest security features and embedded biometrics information which are fully interoperable and compliant with international standard. Meanwhile, in the area of healthcare, Heitech developed the Hospital Management System, a system that integrates all processes and transactions such as registrations and appointments under one system.

Mesiniaga Berhad

Led by Datuk Wan Mohamed Fusil Wan Mahmood, Mesiniaga Berhad is one of Malaysia’s leading ICT solutions providers and integrators. It is a multi-platform business solutions provider that provides a range of IT solutions and services which are supported by many internationally renowned technology companies. Its services provide the building blocks, management capabilities and security for any IT infrastructure. Among the products and solutions provided by Mesiniaga are Cloud computing, network services, security solutions and software development.

Theta Edge Berhad

Led by A. Shukor S.A. Karim, Theta Edge Berhad is a subsidiary of Lembaga Tabung Haji and one of Malaysia’s pioneer Information Communication and Technology service providers. Theta provides information technology solutions such as products and software implementation, telecommunication engineering services and civil works, mobility solutions, green energy consultant services such as energy management, facilities management and green technology and also system integrator services.

Digistar Corporation Berhad

Digistar Corporation Berhad is led by Mejar (K) Datuk Wira Lee Wah Chong and the company offers numerous digital services such as broadcast technology that includes television and radio broadcast system and playout and transmission automation system, information technology such as local area network and wide area network, telecommunication technology such as professional sound reinforcement system and firemen intercom system plus audio and visual technology such as manual or motorized projection screen and video or data projection system.

The post INSPIRING DIGITAL SERVICES COMPANIES IN MALAYSIA – THE TOP 10 appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

Joshua Chin established his company, Linear Channel Sdn Bhd and worked with Microsoft unlimited potential program with a noble intention to serve the middle to low income communities. This innovative founder shares with Top 10 of Malaysia on how he put his ideas to work and the unique creation of Smart Rental. 

Joshua Chin has established his business since 1999 and it has been growing steadily until today. Starting with a capital of only RM5,000, the former 2-time taekwondo world champion has come a long way and has even managed to strike a deal with Microsoft to work with his company. “We specialise in selling refurbished PCs, laptops and electronic equipment. Our business mostly caters to the middle to low income groups as well as SMEs and micro businesses.”

In trying to serve the middle to low income segment further, Joshua has come up with a new business development programme dubbed, Smart Rental. “We started Smart Rental last year where a PC and Notebook rental program as low RM48 per month. We came up with a new concept which was to incorporate funding roadmap, business model, channel, marketing and talents,” says Joshua.

Smart Rental is a computer and laptop rental service that allows anyone to have a laptop with the added back-end service during their contract period and with this people will have less hassle when purchasing a new laptop or computer. The great advantage of this scheme is that one does not have to go through credit checks in order to be legible for it. “Anyone is able to afford a laptop or a computer through our RENTAL package. The duration of the contract usually ranges between 12 to 24 months although the company will collect a three-month advance rental.”

Joshua considers his joint venture with Microsoft to reach out to the B40 group in a remote area in Teluk Intan as one of the biggest experimental milestones his company has achieved.  “About 95% of the 130-household paid up the 12 months rental programs. There were on board with the packages we provided where they will get to have a computer for RM68 per month, inclusive of e-learning and e-content. Seeing that we are able to serve them within our capacity, we felt really good,” says Joshua with a smile.

Joshua hopes to expand his business across the South East Asia region where he can introduce Smart Rental to countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. “That is my plan for the next 5 to 10 years. We are building the necessary infrastructure now, and if we can successfully build a brand and bring Malaysians a whole new way to experience owning a computer, we hope to bring the same experience to the South East Asia region too. That is what we plan to achieve.”

The post A MASTER IN THE WORLD OF TECH  appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

Wilson Low founded Wilstech IT Smart Solution with the aim and passion to provide IT related services to customers. In an interview with Top 10 of Malaysia, Low shares about the importance of IT in this current generation and the services his company provides.

12 years ago, Wilson Low could not have imagined himself starting his own IT company as he has no experience in IT. However, it proved to be not a hindrance for Low when he established his own company in 2016. “After I graduated, I worked in customer service and slowly got involved in operations. In 2016, I set up Wilstech IT Smart Solution enterprise, while still working with my earlier company,” says Low. Initially, the company dealt with supplying hardware, workstations, and laptops for only government sectors and corporations. “We moved our focus to websites, applications and systems after receiving numerous requests from customers.”

Low credits the success of his company to the collaboration he has with his partner. Low’s experience in operations is the key to better understand his clients’ wants and needs. “Not many people understand IT languages, so we need to use layman terms to guide and show them how we can solve their problems,” says the bubbly Low.

The company now builds customised websites, mobile apps, operating systems and more, depending on customers’ requirements. “We don’t have our in-house products, because we are a software house. So, we cater to requests that are software-based. Besides, we also provide office measurement solution for all the SMEs and also help clients install firewall for offices or schools.”

Wilstech has come a long way from being a 1-man team to their current 12-people team. Last year, a branch was set up in Johor Bahru as most of its clients hail from Johor and Singapore. “We were trying to set up another branch in Penang but had to put the brakes on it due to the pandemic.” Low adds that they are trying to penetrate into the Indonesian and Taiwanese markets. They also look forward to set up offices in the northern and eastern part of Malaysia. “IT is very important and we are also looking into AI technology as it should be the next big thing in Malaysia. That’s my 5 to 10 years’ plan. My final goal is to get my company listed,” says the visionary Low.

The post AN ENTREPRENEUR’S VISION appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

Albeit many would assume a 23-year-old entrepreneur to be a greenhorn in the business industry, Celine Ng, however, defies the odd and rose to the top. In a recent interview with Top 10 of Malaysia, Ng shares her journey on how she started embarking on the path to establish her successful company.

For Celine Ng, age has never been a hindrance to achieving success. At just 23 years of age, she is already a successful beauty entrepreneur making her mark in the nation while also expanding her wings overseas. “It wasn’t an overnight idea and it took us many months of reflection, research and finding the right production house before we manage to pull it off,” reminisces Ng.

According to Ng, she started her business because she wanted her brand to be a shining star in the industry and her company certainly adopts a brand-conscious approach. “We wanted to help more customers to get better income, experience our product quality and also to cure skin-related problems.”

“Our product uses the latest technology in the industry, which is the Microneedle Treatment Technology. The traditional micro-needling treatment uses fine needles to create hundreds of tiny, invisible puncture wounds on the top layer of the skin, whilst our microneedle invisible mask delivers the same result as a normal micro-needling treatment,” says Ng.

Ng believes that the quality of their products contributes to the success of the company. While there are many challenges to tackle in the process of improving the quality of their products, they overcame it all with resilience and patience. “If we hadn’t prioritise quality as the mainstay of our products, I can confidently tell you that our brand would not be where it is today.”

The Bare Skin brand has managed to bring in millions in sales and the company has expanded its services to nearly 10 countries within a year since inception and has definitely made its mark at an international level. “Our 3^rd product will be launching soon and it’s something to look forward to,” says Ng enthusiastically.

“I want our brand to be the best in Asia and simultaneously, to be able to help customers solve their skin problems. My vision for the next 10 years is for our brand to be irreplaceable, and it will be associated with quality and luxury.” Ng also hopes that in 3 years, their team will increase to some 1,000 people, consisting of people who wants to achieve financial freedom. “If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down.”

The post DREAM BIG AND FLY HIGH appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

While we are accustomed to seeing Hollywood actors with millions of fans worldwide donning designer suits and fancy dresses during a red carpet event, we tend to overlook the fact that we, too, have our very own local talent. We certainly have incredible and talented actors who are on par with international artistes. In this issue, Top 10 of Malaysia shares its random list of the nation’s most inspiring actors whose achievements one can be proud of.

Fattah Amin

Besides starring in many telemovies, TV series and films, Fattah Amin has also released several hit songs, such as Paling Sempurna. He also has his own business such as his own eatery, Meatcartel and his own fashion line, Fattastic. Having almost 4 million followers on Instagram, it made him an ideal candidate as ambassador for brands such as Shell Advance, Police Eyewear, Maybank, Toyota, OPPO and King Koil.

Shaheizy Sam

His major breakthrough was when he was cast as the lead in TV3 CEREKARAMA “PA’E”. However, his leap to stardom began when he starred in Bohsia-Jangan Pilih Jalan Hitam (2009). Since then, he has starred in a few Malaysian blockbuster films such as Jangan Pandang Belakang Congkak (2009), Evolusi KL Drift 2 (2010), Polis EVO (2015), and Polis EVO 2 (2018).

Bront Palarae

Born Nasrul Suhaimin, he is more well known by his stage name, Bront Palarae. In 2005, he received a scholarship to attend a short Language and Culture course by the Italian government where he overstayed and subsequently toured the country for a few months. Palarae was the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF’s My Promise To Children Campaign and in 2012, Palarae joined the AQSA2Gaza11 Emergency Relief trip to Gaza he focuses on helping the people of Palestine affected by the Gaza-Israel conflicts occurring that year.

Pekin Ibrahim

The youngest of 6 siblings, he first started out as a worker at an A&W restaurant. He attended auditions for roles in dramas and movies while still working at the restaurant and landed roles as supporting actors. His most notable movies are Bunohan (2012), Hantu Kak Limah Balik Rumah (2010), Apokalips X, Ophilia (both in 2014), Munafik and Mat Moto: Kami Mat Moto Bukan Mat Rempit (both in 2016); which earned him many awards.

Syafiq Kyle

Born in 1992, Syafiq is well-rounded as he is an actor, a host as well as a model. He is also a former contestant of Hero Remaja alongside Fattah Amin, where he won second place in the competition. Having a Diploma in Film, Theater and Animation, Syafiq made his breakthrough through his role in Tanah Kubur (2012-2014).

Zizan Razak

Hailing from Terengganu, Zizan was the runner-up in the first season of Raja Lawak and came in first place in Maharaja Lawak. He has also starred in several prominent films such as Kapoww!!: Atoi The Ajaib Boy (2010), KL Gangster (2011–2013), and Polis EVO (2015–18). Besides that, the talented Zizan is also a successful entrepreneur, launching his own brand of clothing line: R-nab.

Johan As’ari

Johan gained fame after starring in Juvana (2013), where he was scouted after appearing in Penunggu Gunung Raya, the first movie he acted in. He also appeared as a contestant on season 1 of Fear Factor Selebriti Malaysia. Johan’s first role was in television series Penunggu Gunung Raya and in 2016, he starred in the drama, Mr Tanda Soal as the lead role.

Rusdi Ramli

Rusdi is the son of veteran Malaysian actress, Norlia Ghani. His father, Ramli Ismail, or more popularly known as Ramli Kechik starred in P Ramlee’s Do Re Mi (1966). Rusdi was named after the film, Doktor Rusdi (1970) by P. Ramlee in commemoration of the friendship between his parents and P. Ramlee. After being in the acting scene for many years, he is now a director, having directed movies such as Mr. Stalker… Saya Cintakan Awaklah! (2017) and also Misteri Maria (2018).

Aaron Aziz

Aaron Mustapha bin Aziz is a Singaporean actor and singer currently based in Malaysia and is largely known in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore. He started his acting career in Singapore in 2001 where he was cast in Shahril in Cinta Bollywood (2001–2002). He also appear in the sitcom Phua Chu Kang in season 6. In 2004, he migrated to Malaysia and begin his acting career as an assisting character in Haryati (2004). His most notable film appearances includes Evolution KL Drift (2008), KL Gangster (2011) and Ombak Rindu (2011). On 16 December 2017, he was awarded the Darjah Kebesaran Mahkota Pahang Yang Dihormati (Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang) by Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang, which carries the title Dato.

Syamsul Yusof

Syamsul is a Malaysian actor, film director, screenwriter, model and singer. He is the son of famous director Yusof Haslam and has an older brother, who is also actor and director. Syamsul got his start as a child actor in 1998 when he starred in a film directed by his father, where he played a minor cameo role. He was trained by his father in directing Gerak Khas where he also an actor for few episodes. In 2007, Syamsul directed his first feature film, Evolusi KL Drift where it was well-received upon its release, catapulting him into several other directorial endeavours. Some of his works include Bohsia: Jangan Pilih Jalan Hitam (2009), KL Gangster(2011), and Munafik (2016).

The post Top 10 Male Actors in Malaysia appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

Adverse circumstances have never dampened the spirit of this enterprising young man. Despite facing adversities in life, Trisen Tan, founder of Your Earning Group Sdn Bhd’s life took a turn for the better when he met his mentor. In an interview with Top 10 of Malaysia, Tan shares about what inspired him to start his company and also the services it provides.

Everything was smooth sailing for Trisen Tan until he reached 16 years of age. “My parents divorced when I was 16. My exam results were unfavourable and the only ambition I had was to be a barber or a mechanic,” reminisces Tan. “My sister enrolled me to study at Multimedia University (MMU Melaka) and I met some university mates who transformed my outlook in life.”

Tan worked part time but struggled financially and he grieved while pondering on the bleakness of his future. “Miraculously, I met my mentor and he taught me that the secret of success is through hard work and having a platform to begin with,” says Tan. “This is my 10^th year with Prudential.”

In 2014, Tan spent his savings to set up an office in Ipoh. After discussing with his mentor, they decided to call it Your Earning Group Sdn Bhd (YEG). “Our insurance agency currently has around 70 to 80 full-time agents and our motto encompasses the ‘3Ds’ which are “Dream”, “Discipline” and “Desire”. We have a system called “Eagle System” where we monitor our agents’ performances and we teach them by using our “SHARK System”, which stands for skill, habit, attitude, recruitment and knowledge,” says Tan.

For the past 5 years, YEG has been selling medical and retirement plans. “Now, we are also providing the licensing for asset management and also services for wills, trusts and family insurance. In addition, we also do business insurance between directors,” says Tan whose 5 to 10 years’ plan include establishing a YEG office in every state in Malaysia. “We have offices in Ipoh, Teluk Intan, Setiawan, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Johor Bahru and Kuching. We are targeting to have new offices in Penang and Kedah.”

The post RISING ABOVE THE ODDS appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

In an interview with Top 10 of Malaysia, Karl Kelana and Dr Diyana share about their brand, DOCTOx, which became well known in the local as well as in the global market.   

DOCTOx is a cosmetic brand consisting of a wide range of skin care and make-up products that are well known for its quality ingredients used. Founded by Karl Kelana and his wife Dr Diyana, the DOCTOx brand is well known by many people in the nation, especially after the initial opening of a few premises and kiosks in AEON.

“The collaboration with AEON is a stepping stone for us to go further in the industry. Having said that, we are committed to our online platform where the business model is much simpler, easy and fast. It is not difficult to stay with old and new customers as technology is just at your finger tips,” says Karl, a graduate of RMIT University and The One Academy.

DOCTOx’s presence in the local and global market is expanding rapidly. This is reflected in the growing number of customers from various backgrounds within four years of its inception. In 2019, there are about 150,000 customers, hailing from as many as 30 countries, who have frequented their website.

“The trump card of our products is definitely the material and the brand, DOCTOx itself. Whenever someone spots our products, he is sure to be able to identify us. Karl played a major role in organising marketing strategies and bringing out the uniqueness of DOCTOx whilst I am utilising all my knowledge and experience from my medical years and applying it to our products’ development,” says Dr Diyana, or more fondly known as Dr Dya.

While other cosmetic manufacturers prefer ‘beauty at an affordable price’ factor to attract their customers, DOCTOx leans toward ‘beauty, health and affordability’ with a 2-in-1 feature, which is ‘wear and care’. In fact, Dya is not one to shy away from offering beauty consultation to her customers.

The main ingredient of their products is imported overseas before they are specially designed and formulated. All DOCTOx products are safe to use as they are approved by the Ministry of Health (MOH), certified safe by the Health Science Authority (HSA) besides being halal.

“Though we know that there are numerous cosmetic brands in the market with their own charms and selling point, we take it as a healthy competition where we can use it as a source of reference for our own product improvement. In fact, we often take note of the development of leading cosmetics products from abroad as a source of inspiration,” says Karl.

On the other hand, Dya has high hopes for DOCTOx. “By God’s grace, we look forward to our brand being on par with Estee Lauder and other international cosmetic brands in 5 year’s time. Let DOCTOx be known as a Malaysian pride and we want our community to be the one to confirm the quality of our products and be most satisfied with them.”

The post EXPANDING THE FRONTIERS OF SUCCESS appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

Defying all odds, Kenneth Leong is proud to prove that with a strong will and determination, one could change one’s social status in life and be successful. In an interview with Top 10 of Malaysia, the enterprising Tan shares about Interlight Technology’s services, the challenges faced and also his plans for the future.    

Kenneth Leong has been carrying the world on his shoulder for as long as he can remember. Coming from a poor family and being raised by a single parent, he felt that it was his responsibility as the eldest son to look after the welfare of his family. “This drove me to look for opportunities every day. I also live by one principle: our life has no assumptions, only consequences and results.”

As entrepreneurs dealing in branded phones started opening their own retail stores, Leong’s career as a phone dealer ended up becoming a bottleneck for him. “That was when I left my job and started doing LED business. I started building my relationships and connections in China and subsequently, started the business from small LED screens and eventually moving on to the big screens,” reminisces Leong.

Interlight Technology was founded almost 10 years ago and it has come a long way since its inception. Leong credits the success of his company to the devotion and trust that his team has in him. “The team consists of dynamic members from the ages of 18 to 50. I believe that everybody will have something valuable to contribute. We are open to receiving feedback from anyone regardless of their age and experiences because we can improve and improvise from there.” Leong added that by prioritising transparency in the office and being open-minded, the company can grow faster. “At the end of the day, everyone has a similar goal,” says Leong.

A decade ago, digitalisation was not a trend. According to Leong, it was hard to survive back in those days. “People today still use banners and buntings and in order for our business to persist, we need to slowly alter the perception of our clients.” Leong added that though their company is not a big corporation, it does have a large client base. “This all stems from the fact that the clients have faith in our products and we have excellent communication and rapport with them. Furthermore, we have our own stocks in the country so we do not need to rely on suppliers. We have built up a very good name and reputation for ourselves.”

Leong plans to expand his business to 3 other countries soon – Myanmar, Pakistan and Cambodia. “Talks of cooperation are already underway and we will definitely concentrate on expanding our business in these 3 countries in the meantime.”

The post MANIFESTING A DETERMINATION FOR SUCCESS appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

From basking under the hot sun while sweating profusely, to sitting in the comfort of your own home playing video games, gaming has come a long way to its current standing in the world today. Esports is paving the way for many young people in the nation to show their mettle in this new arena of sports. In this issue, Top 10 of Malaysia shares its list (presented in random order) of the top 10 companies in the country that are involved in the esports business industry in polishing young talents.

MyGameOn

MyGameOn places its focus solely on gaming and esports, but with a local twist. Having a wide array of activities, the company covers events, carries out game reviews as well as player interviews and establishing media partnerships. It has work with government bodies such as the Kementerian Belia & Sukan (KBS), Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). As it strives to continue growing esports and gaming, it aims to bridge the gaming communities, from being casual gamers to a corporate brand.

eGG Network

eGG Network has come a long way to become a gaming and esports platform after starting out as a channel on Astro. By offering 360° marketing services and tournaments organisations, game publishers, tournament owners and advertisers are able to engage with esports large fanbase in the Asean region. eGG Network is broadcasted in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Myanmar.

Techninier

Techninier is an internet company based in Malaysia, and it focuses on South East Asia region. The company aims to improve the lives of consumers and small businesses in South East Asia with the help of technology. It assists communities to connect with municipal governments, digitalized public assets as well as helping passionate gamers to connect and compete in the digital realm.

Battle Arena

Being one of Southeast Asia’s biggest esports club, Battle Arena is equipped with 110 PCs with the highest- level specifications currently available in the market, making it possible for customers to experience an ultimate lag-free, highest resolution gameplay on their 17,000 square feet vicinity that can house up to 400 people. Battle Arena aims to provide a supportive environment where ambitious gamers can polish their skills and kickstart their career in esports. Intending to change the perception of esports as a career, the company aspire to create awareness about esports and the possibility of a sustainable career in the industry by hosting multiple gaming events and thus changing the way esports is viewed.

Blitzone Café

Founded in March 2006, Blitzone Cafe has set its sight on giving back the best to its customers through services and a wide array of products. Its customers are able to keep up and get in touch with the latest games provided and plus point cards and starter packs in the market to meet customers’ demands. Players are also able to participate in exciting events and challenging activities.

Geek Fam

Established by Keat and Joseph in 2016, Geek Fam is rising to becoming one of the most well-known names in the competitive field of Asia’s esports scene. The journey started by sending its Dota2 team to the ESL One Genting, making it into the finals of Phase 2 Qualifiers. What followed is the constant invitation for Dota2 tournaments such as the Kyiv Major and Epicenter. After the initial success with the Dota2 team, the company continues to recruit skilled players for various games that includes Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG and PUBG Mobile. Motivated to play hard and be one of the world’s top esports team as well as establishing themselves a top brand, Geek Fam’s founder is always involved with the team’s progress to further improve its performance.

LEVEL UP Inc @ Komune

LEVEL UP MY is a one-stop centre for all things games-related in Malaysia and Southeast Asia region where it provides information for all the latest happenings in the game industry. The company also serves as a platform for those wishing to collaborate or get into the Southeast Asia game industry while serving also as a communication platform for all players in the games industry to connect to the industry. LEVEL UP aims to be a healthy and thriving games industry eco-system in addition to connecting the game community together by encompassing every part of the industry.

KITAMEN Resources Sdn Bhd

Driven by the movement of esports and digital lifestyle, KITAMEN designed niched talents around familiar things in Southeast Asia. Since inception, the company has taken multiple projects to establish with affiliates and business partners from private and government sectors. While creating a market for technopreneurs and consumers who trust in the capability and quality of Malaysian products and services in the esports industry whether locally or internationally, the company also wants to create a working environment that encourages people to push their limits to constantly produce better experiences for its customers.

Sunsuria Esports Sdn Bhd

A subsidiary of Sunsuria Esports, M8HEXA esports Hub at Bell Avenue represents the first-of-its-kind mobile gaming esports hub by combining co-working and co-gaming environment in Malaysia. The company was founded by a group of young and talented individuals who strive to expand gaming industry in Malaysia and nurture young gamers to realise their full potential. Besides providing comfortable spaces to gamers community as well as small-to-medium enterprises to aid them in their journey, the company also enables young talents to carve their career paths in esports industry.

Magnus Game Studio

Magnus Game Studio was founded in 2017 by two brothers with a big dream, which is to create games that are loved by fans all around the world. Today, the company has about 40 people under its wings and they are all passionate about making great games. Magnus has a collaborative working lifestyle as it believes that merging fun and work will create an open as well as progressive environment.

The post Top 10 Esports Biz Companies in Malaysia appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

MyPapillon, a hijab brand that has caused a stir in the local market, have hijabs with a sui generis design that captures the attention of many. The materials used are also comfortable to the touch and Haslinda Md Isa, proprietor of MyPapillon has set her sights on fulfilling the wishes of a Muslim woman who wants to look unique and charming.

MyPapillon is inspired by the French word ‘Papillon’, which carries the meaning of ‘a butterfly’. Synonymous to a butterfly, it bears soft and colourful features, which Haslinda would then include on each design of the hijab she produced.

“The advantage of MyPapillon is that we offer an extensive collection of hijabs suitable for occasions such as dinner, engagements and weddings. In fact, some are not shy to style our collection as a work cover in the office. Our first exclusive limited-edition series features intricate luxurious accessories and fine craftsmanship from skilled MyPapillon tailors,” says Haslinda.

The idea of incorporating French-style elements was not done on a whim, as Haslinda made good use of her experiences when she was in Paris. Having a Bachelor of Hotel Management from Strasbourg as well as Masters from Institut Vatel Paris, her love for fine art inspires her to research more.

“In the field of hospitality, all the decorations and designs come in various forms. My interest for fine art and luxury increased particularly when I was studying for a master’s degree in France, I would often go to luxury boutiques in Place Vendome and around Paris. It inspires me even though many a time I would just be looking into the boutique from the outside only,” she says with a laugh.

Despite her busy schedule as a lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara Shah Alam, Haslinda remains committed to her business. The mother of two children wisely divides her time by not mixing affairs on campus, office and home. Everything is done in stages.

The 45-year-old entrepreneur also credits her husband, Mohd Rizal Ahmad Dawami for pushing her to succeed. According to Haslinda, her husband is not only a business guru who gives her a lot of guidance but also a good friend to her.

“Alhamdulillah, my husband who is the backbone of the company helps a lot because he himself has more than 10 years of experience in business of different fields. We both have a symbiotic relationship whereby we help each other and successfully complete projects for MyPapillon,” she adds.

The post UNFURLING A DREAM – AN ENTREPRENEUR’S CREATIVITY AND PERSEVERANCE appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

Enterprising duo, Dr Michael Ong and Dr Terrence Teoh are founders of 1 Doc Holding Sdn Bhd, one of Malaysia’s biggest multi-award winning skin centres. The co-founders share with Top 10 of Malaysia on their journey in establishing One Doc and their aim in introducing an entirely new concept of skin aesthetics to customers.

“I graduated from the University of Melbourne with a medical degree and in 2008, I decided to work in Singapore as the country was much more medically advanced during that period,” says Dr Terrence Teoh. “I worked there for around 9 to 10 years as a family doctor and a general practitioner. After 5 years, I ventured into the field of aesthetics. I worked in Singapore as an aesthetician for 4 to 5 years and returned to Malaysia for another 2 years.”

On the other hand, Dr Michael Ong graduated from University of Malaya in 2012 and completed 4 years of doctor’s training in a government hospital. “During those 4 years, I discovered a deep passion and interest in aesthetics so I took up some courses on aesthetics. I met Dr Teoh in Singapore and we shared the same vision. Therefore, One Doc was established in 2016 with the goal of being the number one skin centre in Malaysia,” says Dr Ong,

“We now have 16 outlets in Malaysia and we plan to set up one more centre in September. We have also diversified our treatments from face treatment to hair growth,” says Dr Teoh enthusiastically. “Our initial goal was to provide non-invasive treatments for pimples, pores, pigments and scar problems with no side effects. We are the first one-stop Pico Skin centre that provides facial treatments for all skin problems. About 2 years ago, we established our treatment centre called Hair Doc and we provide effective treatments for scalp problems and hair loss,” Dr Ong adds.

One Doc’s mission is to provide the best solution for all types of skin problems by constantly doing research and development (R&D). “We invested a lot in R&D in order to upgrade and improve our treatments. We started out with basic skin treatments performed by technology that have been around for 8 to 9 years,” Dr Ong excitedly says. “Now, we brought the first Pico Skin technology from Korea and used it for treatment in our centre. We are now the biggest Pico Skin Centre in Malaysia.”

“We take pride in the values we have in our company. The first is transparency. We are very honest about our treatments and its pricing. All treatments and pricing are similar in every centre. Second is maintaining professionalism. We ensure that all staff, including consultants and therapists are professionally trained by doctors. The staff also undergo examinations to ascertain that they have sufficient knowledge and could perform satisfying skin treatments on customers. Lastly, we are extremely result-oriented. We will gather the feedback of clients and staff on the results experienced in order to ensure that we are able to deliver effective and expected results for our clients,” says Dr Ong.

One of One Doc’s best treatment products is One Doc PicoPulse  the latest patented skin treatment technology which is still considerably new in the Malaysian market. “Ever since we introduced PicoPulse to the public, it is now a well sought-after treatment option in the market for treating various skin conditions,” says Dr Teoh. “We are only using lasers approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Our machines are also formulated specifically based on One Doc’s protocol,” Dr Ong adds. “As our machines are purchased from Korea, they are catered for Koreans’ skin type. With our protocol, we are able to use it on South East Asians’ skin condition.”

“We plan to expand our outlets to smaller cities such as Melaka, Kuantan and Kedah,” says Dr Ong. “One of the biggest challenges we faced was during the Movement Control Order (MCO) due to the Covid-19 pandemic as we were not able to perform our treatments without physically meeting clients. However, we are grateful that we have no staff turnover since the company was established,” says Dr Ong who also shares that during the lockdown period for the past few months, One Doc only sold products online and did not earn any profit but they still needed to support their staff, pay rental and fulfil other financial commitments. Dr Teoh adds, “As we have many branches, we are thankful that our company survived financially.”

The company sets strict key performance indicator (KPI) for their staff and rewards those who achieve them with flying colours. “We need to ensure that clients are comfortable and our staff are aware of their responsibilities and duties,” says Dr Teoh. “As our team members comprise mainly of young people, we are laid-back and fun to work with.” On the other hand, Dr Ong believes in being accountable and responsible at work. “We set a target revenue and everyone in the corporate hierarchy has a KPI,” says Dr Ong.

With the presence of many competitors, the doctors ensure that One Doc would always remain the best by improving and planning a step ahead in purchasing new machines to remain as the leader in the market. “We have to research, think and plan ahead in order to always be the number 1 in Malaysia,” says Dr Teoh. “What inspires us the most is the fulfilling results obtained by our clients.”

“Our plan is for One Doc to keep expanding new outlets and also be a listed company. We also hope to have 20 outlets by next year and also provide treatments for slimming, an area which I’m interested in,” says Dr Teoh who also plans to set up an academy where he can recruit, share his experience and teach students who are interested in medical aesthetic treatments.

Dr Teoh values his family time, “I’m a family man and I’ll return home straight after work ends. Only occasionally, I’ll head out with my friends. As my children are still young, I try to spend more time with them. It is difficult to balance my work and professional life as my job also requires me to travel around Kuala Lumpur and to other states.” “Successful businessmen spent most of their time doing business and they never stop working hard. They will even be at work during the weekends. It is the same with me as I will bring my wife and kids to the outlets and when I’m free, I’ll spend quality time with them,” says Dr Ong with a smile.

“My advice to young people who are interested to start an aesthetic business is to be unique and to think of their own selling point in order to stand out. They would need to know their direction in setting up the business,” says Dr Teoh while Dr Ong advises youngsters to dream big and don’t be afraid to fail. “We took up the challenge in setting up the company and finally we have achieved success. Thus, taking a step out of one’s comfort zone and embracing challenges is vital if one wants to garner success in life.”

The post A SUCCESS THAT’S MUCH MORE THAN SKIN DEEP appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.