Kota Kinabalu: After years of dedication to the media industry, Jennifer Tugun Michael took a bold leap into the world of entrepreneurship, turning her passion into a thriving business.
Her journey led to the creation of Ferherneo, Sabah’s very own sunscreen brand – born out of her love for the outdoors and a desire to fill a gap in the local market.
Now 31, Jennifer has been an avid adventurer since the age of 19, spending countless hours exploring the breathtaking islands of Kota Kinabalu, including Taman Tunku Abdul Rahman, as well as the stunning waters of Semporna.
However, during her many sun-soaked excursions, she noticed a glaring absence. There was no locally made sunscreen brand. Recognising this as both a missed opportunity and a chance to contribute to Sabah’s booming tourism industry, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
With Ferherneo, she not only aims to protect the skin of fellow outdoor enthusiasts but also hopes to boost Sabah’s economy through a homegrown product that reflects the state’s natural beauty and vibrant culture.
She said most of the sunscreen products available at island jetties in the state are international brands like Banana Boat (United States) and Sunplay (Japan).
“My product is waterproof and specifically designed for outdoor activities in island areas, especially in Sabah and Borneo. But it’s also perfect for everyday use,” said Jennifer, a “sumandak” (young lady) of Kadazan descent from Penampang, during an interview with Bernama.
A graduate of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang with a Bachelor of Communications, Jennifer previously interned at Bernama’s Sabah Bureau before diving into entrepreneurship.
She said It took her nearly two years to bring her vision to life and develop her very own sunscreen brand.
“The biggest challenge was finding a local factory that could produce a high-quality, competitive sunscreen. It has a modern texture, which is a liquid cream. The production cost was also quite high,” she shared.
Her sunscreen stands out not just for its sun protection but also for its modern liquid-cream texture, which offers additional benefits.
“Unlike traditional sunscreens that only shield the skin from UV rays, mine also moisturizes and brightens both the face and body,” she added.
Since its launch, Jennifer has sold over 200 units, marking a promising start for Sabah’s homegrown sunscreen brand.
Customers can find Ferherneo on Facebook (ferherneo_official) and TikTok Shop (ferherneohq), where she continues to expand her reach.
As a Tekun Nasional-mentored entrepreneur, Jennifer takes pride in ensuring that her product meets industry standards. Ferherneo sunscreen has been registered and approved by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, giving consumers confidence in its quality and safety.
One of its standout features is its impressive waterproof durability, lasting over 40 minutes – making it a perfect choice for outdoor enthusiasts, especially those frequenting Sabah’s coastal areas.
Explaining the meaning behind the brand name, Jennifer shared that Ferherneo is a fusion of personal and regional identity: “Fer” comes from her nickname Fefer, “her” represents female entrepreneurship, and “neo” is inspired by Borneo, paying homage to her roots.
When asked about her motivation for venturing into business, she said she wanted to challenge herself by creating something new and opening up opportunities not just for herself but for others.
“I wanted to break away from the usual mindset of relying on a single income or depending solely on government jobs.
“I also want to take on this challenge to prove that entrepreneurship can be a viable path to success and financial stability,” she explained.
Jennifer said young Sabahans shouldn’t feel the need to seek jobs in the peninsula just for better opportunities or higher income.
“Instead, they should create their own opportunities right here in our home state,” she told Bernama.
Jennifer admitted that she initially faced a lack of support from some family members, who held a more traditional mindset that graduates should secure jobs in the government or private sector rather than take risks in business.
“I truly hope the government will support young entrepreneurs like me who are producing local products and recognise this sunscreen as a new Sabah product. I also hope the people of Sabah will embrace and support this product,” she added.
