In the world of entrepreneurship, accessing the right insights can be a game-changer for aspiring business leaders. That’s why Malaysia and its evolving business landscape is home to a diverse group of influencers who offer invaluable perspectives and strategies. These thought leaders range from seasoned entrepreneurs with decades of experience to innovative rising stars making waves in different industries.
Their unique approaches to business, along with their personal journeys and success stories, provide a rich source of inspiration and practical advice. In this article, we’ll talk about the lives and insights of six Malaysian business influencers. Their experiences and advice are tailored for entrepreneurs looking to navigate the complexities of the business world. Therefore, these insights aim to help individuals achieve their own success.
1. Dato’ Sri Aliff Syukri bin Kamarzaman
Dato’ Sri Aliff Syukri bin Kamarzaman is a Malaysian entrepreneur with a career spanning various industries. His work includes contributions to entertainment, hospitality, and also cosmetics. He began his entrepreneurial journey at the age of seven, selling pickled fruits and other small goods while living with his grandmother in Sabak Bernam, Selangor. His dedication and early start laid the foundation for his later success.
Today, he is known for founding Dherbs Holdings, which is popular for its cosmetic line. He is also recognized for his investments in Sugeh Resort Janda Baik, As Hijab, and Anthon’s Leather. In addition to his business ventures, Aliff Syukri is also an accomplished actor and singer. Hence his diverse talents demonstrate his versatility and significant influence across multiple fields.
2. Josephine Yap
Josephine Yap is a Malaysian entrepreneur and the founder of Fondest, a fashion brand popular for its dedication to body positivity and sustainability. With a vision to revolutionize the fashion industry, Josephine has crafted a brand that designs garments to flatter and celebrate women’s curves.
Her goal is to ensure that women feel both confident and beautiful. Josephine’s commitment to environmental responsibility is evident through Fondest’s eco-friendly practices. These practices include avoiding plastic packaging and offering reusable bags.
3. Vivy Yusof
Vivy Yusof is a Malaysian entrepreneur known for co-founding FashionValet and The dUCk Group. A graduate of the London School of Economics, Vivy launched FashionValet, an e-commerce fashion platform, in 2010 with her husband, Dato’ Fadzarudin Shah Anuar. The company has evolved into a multi-million dollar enterprise with a strong presence across Southeast Asia.
Vivy also co-founded FV Group, which includes the modest fashion brands dUCk and Lilit. Her ventures have expanded into beauty with halal cosmetics, and she aims to establish her brands as global leaders in modest fashion. Vivy is also a popular social media influencer, author of the book “The First Decade,” and has appeared in the reality show “Love, Vivy.”
4. Claire Tan
Claire Tan, a former flight attendant turned entrepreneur, discovered her passion for bagels during her travels to New York. Amidst the lockdown, she began experimenting with bagel recipes, which led to the creation of her own bakery café, Grumpy Bagels. Located in an abandoned house outside a commercial area, the café required innovative marketing to build brand awareness.
Claire used her creativity by documenting the renovation process and her journey as a café owner on social media, avoiding traditional marketing expenses. Her content went viral, resulting in long queues at her café. Despite receiving expansion offers, Claire has chosen to focus on improving the quality of her bagels before scaling her business.
5. Malik Hairuddin
Malik Hairuddin is a Malaysian entrepreneur whose journey from losing everything to achieving success is both remarkable and inspiring. After experiencing a significant downfall and starting over as an office cleaner, Malik rebuilt his career from the ground up. With a background in mechatronics and a relentless curiosity, he dabbled in various ventures, including blogging, printing services, and selling pendrives and also men’s clothing. Eventually, he realized the importance of a solid foundation in business.
Learning from his past failures, Malik founded MySyarikat in 2021, a tech company designed to simplify HR management for businesses. Today, MySyarikat’s cloud-based software supports over 10,000 small and medium businesses across Southeast Asia. It manages payroll, taxes, leave applications, and more.
The company has become one of Malaysia’s top HR management system providers. This success demonstrates Malik Hairuddin’s resilience and commitment to building a sustainable business.
6. Wan Nur Syaira
Wan Nur Syaira is a Malaysian entrepreneur and also a social media influencer popular for her minimalist fashion sense and captivating travel content. As the founder of SAOI, a rebranded iteration of her former venture WNS Studio, Syaira has established a fashion brand that emphasizes essential, everyday pieces. Moreover, SAOI features a modern, off-duty model style that reflects her commitment to contemporary fashion.
SAOI is known for its timeless designs and meticulous craftsmanship, offering contemporary allure through minimalist aesthetics. Therefore her entrepreneurial journey reflects a commitment to combining style, functionality, and sophistication. She aims to provide her customers with pieces that enhance their everyday lives while embodying her vision of elegance and practicality.
All in all, these influencers provide a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Their experiences highlight the importance of adaptability, creativity, and dedication in achieving success. If you’re looking to maximize the power of influencer marketing for your own business, visit us to book a brief consultation. Let us help you navigate this industry and connect with the right influencers to elevate your brand.
