| Rokiah Mahmud |
ON THE second day of the Baraka Festival, which is currently ongoing at the Tarindak D’Seni Hall of the Brunei Arts and Handicraft Training Centre, there were a number of local entrepreneurs participating in the three-day event seeking opportunity to expand their business knowledge as well as to meet their customers in person.
As most of the local vendors started their businesses online using the current trend of social media via Facebook, Instagram, blogs and others, some of them have successfully established their own online businesses and are well-known for their selling brand.
One of the local vendors participating in the Baraka Festival was Afiqah binti Abdullah, General Manager of TudungPeople Brunei. Learning that she has no business background except spending most of her study years behind the lab as her major is Science, Afiqah has that determination to achieve success and opportunity as an entrepreneur after graduating from university.
“Alhamdulillah, this is our first participation in the Baraka Festival.
“The response from the crowd was so impressive. The demand for Muslimah wear in the Sultanate is very astounding, so that is why we are eager to bring in some brand from other countries to be sold in Brunei,” she said.
Local and international vendors at the Baraka Festival. – PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
Zee Zaini of Bokitta Hijab Brunei speaks to the Sunday Bulletin
Fashionable shawls for sale at the Baraka Festival
Afiqah binti Abdullah (C), General Manager of TudungPeople Brunei and her friends
“Muslimah wear is rising now due to awareness among Muslim women in the country.
“We started small, selling most of our products online, but since the demands are increasing, we decided to approach our customers via a booth and so on.
“The material of our product is of high quality and we are selling at affordable prices which could be purchased by all levels of income.
“Insya Allah, in the long run, I plan to sell our own design,” she added. Another local entrepreneur participating in the festival is Bokitta Hijab Brunei.
In a brief interview, Zee Zaini explained that their exposure is from active participation through booths, expos and online businesses.
After seeing success, Bokitta Hijab Brunei has managed to open up their own boutique so that their collections can be easily purchased and visited by customers especially for those who love to wear Bokitta hijabs.
Bokitta hijabs are among the numerous brands that are selling easy and ready-to wear collection of hijabs especially for those looking for pin-less yet stylish shawls.
In asking how to encourage more youth to actively participate in entrepreneurship and selling their own brand, Zee Zaini explained that start from small capital, offer affordable prices and at the same time be patient as some may encounter challenges and obstacles before they attain their success.
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