KUALA LUMPUR: Hard work and perseverance, together with support from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, have helped many small and medium enterprises launch and grow their businesses.
Nor Rezan Mohamad Noor, 69, decided to take a leap of faith in becoming a herbalist after his retirement from his position as chief health inspector with the Penang Municipal Council.
In 2006, his 2-year-old grandson was being bitten by mosquitoes, but the family could not use chemical-based aerosols due to the grandson's sensitivities.
"My father decided to try and come up with a mosquito repellent made of natural ingredients. He developed a 100 per cent natural product that did not contain synthetic chemical preservatives.
"He was very particular in his research, testing repeatedly until he perfected the formula. He worked with herbs that could weaken and repel mosquitoes," said Uniq Manufacturing Sdn Bhd marketing and communication director Eza Feizaty Nor Rezan.
Eza Feizaty, who is Nor Rezan's daughter, said this led to the birth of 'Bye-Bye Nyamuk', one of Gramp's superstar products.
Chief executive officer Mohamad Reza Fikry Nor Rezan said his father was very particular about the quality of the products, preferring to keep production small and he initially sold his products only to their closest relatives and friends.
"He was always on a quest to look for product improvements. He would read medical journals, findings and research on herbs you can find in the country or anywhere around the world to see how they work together.
"He believed that these herbs should have synergies to work together. So the research and development process involved several herbs mixed together to create a formula," he said.
Nor Rezan decided to commercialise his products in 2016.
"Right after we registered our products with the ministry, the officers told us that they were having issues with foul smell in their office. We let them try our products and they were very happy with the performance of the products.
"During one of the exhibitions organised by the ministry in Johor, we managed to speak to some Singaporean consumers who told us that they were having issues with lizards.
"Our father, the natural problem-solver, decided to go through the whole process of research, trials and error, and that is how we got 'Bye-Bye Cicak', a natural lizard repellent."
Gramp's Asia products are sold at more than 200 stores nationwide and the products have also reached Singapore. Consumers can buy Gramp's Asia products from its website, www.grampsasia.com.
The brand has over nine products and focuses on tackling common household issues. They also won the Gold Award in the Mihas Awards 2019 for Most Innovative Non-Food Product.
Another family business driven from personal experience is Inas Global, which produces detergents for household use.
Inas Global director Noraziza Usman said the company received a lot of guidance and training from the ministry after the company decided to commercialise its products in 2016.
The company is known for its famous 'Sabun Cempaka' and 'Sabun Ros', which are multipurpose detergent soaps that can be used to eliminate stubborn stains.
"We came up with the idea to sell detergents to tackle stubborn household stains on fabrics or car interiors after we heard complaints from our friends and family members.
"As we are also parents who faced the same issues, we took our time to conduct the research and development process and come up with the best formula," she said.
Noraziza said after her company was registered with the ministry, it was offered a helping hand almost immediately.
"They helped us with marketing, rebranding and more. They offered us plenty of platforms to exhibit our products, such as the 'Buy Malaysian Products Campaign', Halal Fest expo and much more.
"During this Covid-19 pandemic, we suffered around 45 per cent of losses. However, with the ministry's help, especially in marketing our products, we have seen a steady growth in our sales.
"We are also happy to be endorsed by the ministry, because we know they are very strict with their product standards," she said.
Inas Global products are sold over social media platforms and e-commerce platforms, such as Lazada and Shopee.
The ministry has helped many companies weather the pandemic by helping them transition to e-commerce.
Marhas Trading general manager Mardhiah Lin Abdullah, 55, said the 'Buy Malaysian Product Campaign' under the ministry's initiative has helped its business pick up during the pandemic.
The company is famous for its range of PakCHIPS that are fruit-based chips, including Honey Jackfruit chips, Crispy Banana Cracker and Pumpkin Chips.
"We received the ministry's assistance, including grants for product packaging, training and we were even invited to join the 'Citarasa Malaysia' programme held nationwide in 2018.
"After we commercialised our product, the ministry helped us supply our stocks directly to hypermarkets, petrol stations, halal marts and a few shops in tourist attraction spots.
"Since Covid-19 hit us, we experienced a drop of 70 per cent in sales at our physical stores. However, we decided to start selling our products via e-commerce immediately.
"Our business started picking up when the Buy Malaysian Product campaign was reintroduced in July."
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/11/645453/helping-homegrown-businesses-thrive