| Danial Norjidi |
SINCE its inception in 2008, the Business Micro Grant Scheme under the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP) has helped establish a total of 136 micro businesses in the country.
The YEDP is part of the Youth Development Resources (YDR), an initiative established in 2008 by the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) as a company limited by guarantee and is fully funded by contributions from corporate sponsors without government funding.
One business born of the programme is Syarikat Hananishah Enterprise, a home-based tailoring company run by Hananishah binti Haji Tahiruddin, who has emerged as a business owner from humble beginnings.
Hananishah, 45, was among the 2013 batch of recipients of the Micro Business Grant Scheme. She was introduced to the YEDP through the Community Development Department. Under the programme, she was given a micro grant of $2,000 by BEDB in the form of equipment in 2014 to help her start up her tailoring business.
As a participant of the YEDP, Hananishah underwent a series of workshops aimed at increasing participants’ knowledge and skills in running their own micro businesses successfully and to be sustainable and financially independent.
Hananishah with some of her work. – PHOTOS: DANIAL NORJIDI
Hananishah giving a demonstration with the equipment that the micro grant helped fund
She was taught how to prepare a proper business plan for her to understand and manage her business better, as well as how to market her products more effectively and serve customers better. She was also taught how to manage her business financial resources through the setting up a proper accounting/book-keeping system.
Prior to opening Syarikat Hananishah Enterprises, she worked with various tailors, learning the trade, mastering the craft and establishing her own style.
She now has her own business, which offers tailoring services, beads and fashionable clothing. She has also gained good traction, having endeared her customers to the company’s services.
The third born out of a family of 12 siblings, Hananishah operates her business from her home at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Flat at Jalan Padang Tasek Lama. She is the first in her family to have set up a successful business.
She has served 500 customers and her business continues to see steady growth. Her average monthly revenue currently amounts to B$1,700-B$1,800 a month in sales.
Looking forward, Hananishah plans to open up a boutique, showcasing her own brand of Muslimah clothing designs under her own designer brand, ‘Hana Nishah’, as well as rental of wedding gowns.
She has already begun prototyping ready-made Muslimah wear with her designer brand, which she plans to sell online and at her boutique.
She shared that what her business does well is listen to and meet customers’ specific requirements and offers quality tailoring.
Sometimes, she said, customers have more than one fabric and are unsure what fabric to use for what part of a dress. What Syarikat Hananishah Enterprise offers is consultation and assistance in deciding how to best utilise various fabrics.
The BEDB has said that it will be assisting Hananishah in her expansion plans, which include applying for a supplementary grant for her additional equipment requriements as well as linking her up with the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources and banks to access financial resources.
Sharing some words for other budding entrepreneurs, she said, “My advice to youths is to not give up easily and always be prepared to deal with many challenges. The world of business has its ups and its downs, and we must be patient.”
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