Image credit: The Star
OVER 200 pioneering women entrepreneurs, thought leaders and industry experts came together to explore opportunities in the digital realm and discuss strategies for catalysing economic inclusion through cyber security and technological advancements.
Held in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, the recent Accelerate Women Entrepreneurship with Exabytes (AWEWE) 2024 event was aimed at fostering gender equality and empowering women in the entrepreneurial sphere.
It sought to equip women with the necessary skills, resources and support to thrive in the dynamic landscape of online business.
Leveraging Exabytes’ extensive expertise in digital solutions and e-commerce, the programme offered a comprehensive suite of services tailored to the specific needs of women-owned businesses.
The conference, themed “Catalysing Economic Inclusion Through Cyber Security and Tech Advancements”, served as a platform to address the prevailing gender disparities in Malaysia’s technology industry, where women currently represent only 35% of the workforce.
With International Women’s Day as a backdrop, the event echoed the message of “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”, underscoring Exabytes’ commitment to empowering women and fostering a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Furthermore, in a bid to foster entrepreneurship and explore market trends in Malaysia, a panel discussion titled “Empowering Entrepreneurs: Government Backing, Funding Opportunities and Market Trends” convened esteemed industry leaders and entrepreneurs.
Held at Exabytes Event Hall, the discussion provided insights into the evolving entrepreneurial landscape and avenues for growth and support.
Diverse Perspectives
The panel comprised distinguished entrepreneurs including Cult Creative co-founder and CEO Shemaine Wong, MADCash co-founder Musrifah Malek and Origin Bulk Store founder Huay Ping Seet, who brought diverse perspectives and experiences to the table.
Wong, known for her innovative approach to branding and marketing at Cult Creative, shared her journey from adversity to entrepreneurship amid the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Her narrative, infused with determination and adaptability, resonated with the audience as she recounted the genesis of Cult Creative.
“I was previously working with clients like Disney, Nestle and Adidas but when Covid-19 happened, unfortunately, the company shut down,” she revealed.
However, from the ashes of adversity arose Cult Creative, a testament to Wong’s unwavering spirit.
Reflecting on the evolution of her venture, Wong highlighted the pivotal role of platforms like Cult Creative in fostering collaboration and innovation in the digital space.
“Cult Creative started off as a job platform but recently, we pivoted into a creative economy network,” she shared, emphasising the platform’s mission to connect brands, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and agencies with content creators.
Meanwhile, Musyrifah revealed the origins of MADCash based on a vision of financial empowerment and community support.
With a background in law and a passion for social impact, Musyrifah presented her views into the transformative power of entrepreneurship.
“I wanted to see how we could create a system whereby when people give money to donate, the money kind of cycles again,” she explained.
Her vision materialised into a platform aimed at empowering nano and micro women entrepreneurs through entrepreneurship training, seed capital and mentorship.
“Giving money, especially for nano and micro women entrepreneurs alone, is not enough. What they need is support and education,” she added, underlining the importance of holistic support in nurturing sustainable businesses and driving economic growth.
Musyrifah’s astute observations pertaining to the formation of MADCash illuminates the paramount importance of technology and governmental support in shaping the course of this endeavour.
“MADCash started as a fintech (financial technology) company, utilising technology to provide financial services,” she said.
She placed great emphasis on the essential part that government grants play in facilitating the advancement of the platform, thereby underscoring the fundamental importance of partnerships and the acquisition of resources in propelling innovation and generating tangible outcomes.
Musyrifah recollected the exploratory phase undertaken with the objective of assessing the feasibility of the platform.
“The RM3,000 was raised simply to prove a case whether or not you can work, whether or not a donation can be cycled,” said Musyrifah.
She added that MADCash has made collaborative efforts with banks and financial institutions to expand access to financing for underbanked women entrepreneurs. “We are working mainly with women who are underbanked. We are also working with banks as our programme funders,” she said.
The strategic congruence with Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) directive for digital financial inclusion has effectively positioned MADCash as a crucial participant in propelling financial empowerment and inclusivity within the Malaysian context.
The salient facet of Musyrifah’s discourse resided in the accentuation placed upon the triumph and ramifications of MADCash’s endeavours.
“So far, the repayment rate has been pretty good. We have about 80% to 90% success in helping National Women Entrepreneurs,” she shared.
Meanwhile, Origin Bulk Store founder Huay epitomised resilience and perseverance in her entrepreneurial journey.
From corporate life to entrepreneurship, her transition was fuelled by a passion for sustainability and wellness.
“I left corporate about eight years ago. I just felt that I wanted to pursue something outside the corporate world,” she said.
Huay’s journey, marked by determination and vision, culminated in the establishment of Origin Bulk Store, a health food e-commerce venture.
Contemplating her entrepreneurial odyssey, she stated the value of entirely embracing fundamental principles and striving for operational excellence in the pursuit of delivering superior products and cultivating constant trust among consumers.
“Our core values are our guiding principles. We try to embrace them in our end-to-end operation,” she said, highlighting the importance of integrity and authenticity in building a successful brand.
Actionable Insights
AWEWE 2024 attendees were also treated to an array of enriching experiences, including an immersive workshop led by expert Dr Lennie Soo and intimate fireside chats with a successful entrepreneur, Bloom This founder Penny Choo.
The immersive workshop, spearheaded by Soo, proved to be a highlight of the event.
With expertise in personal and professional development, Soo guided attendees through a series of practical tools and strategies aimed at unlocking their full potential. Participants were equipped with actionable insights to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and enhance their skill sets for success in the dynamic business landscape of Malaysia.
During the intimate fireside chats, Choo shared her journey from inception to success, serving as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, offering invaluable insights and anecdotes from her entrepreneurial endeavours.
Through candid discussions and personal anecdotes, Choo shared wisdom gained from the ups and downs of her entrepreneurial journey.
The event, touted as a valuable discussion on entrepreneur empowerment, offered attendees practical tools, strategies and insights for personal and professional development, and a platform for meaningful exchange and networking opportunities.
Supported by the Penang state government, AWEWE 2024 showcased a commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs.
In addition to the event, Exabytes introduced a digital toolkit, featuring essential digital resources valued at nearly RM10,000.
These resources include free search engine optimisation (SEO) analysis, digital marketing workshops, cyber security subscriptions, and more.
Exabytes has been dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs since launching its AWEWE campaigns in 2021.
These initiatives aim to provide valuable resources and create an inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.
Through events like this, Exabytes continues to champion women’s success in the digital economy and beyond.
Source: https://themalaysianreserve.com/2024/05/15/exabytes-empowers-women-entrepreneurs-through-awewe-2024/