Kota Kinabalu: Bisnes Orang Muda, an integrated development programme for youth entrepreneurs, has paved the way for a group of budding enterprises in Sabah to unlock their potential.
The initiative, carried out across Sabah, is a collaboration between Yayasan Petronas and Impact Malaysia, a strategic catalyst agency under the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Under the programme, a total of 50 entrepreneurs were selected to undergo coaching and advanced workshops on business development, business modelling, and entrepreneurship.
With their newly acquired skill set, they participated in the Urban Tamu bazaar held recently at Riverson, here.
The programme was an eye-opening experience for Kelvin Dale, one of the 50 entrepreneurs, who runs a laundry business. Interestingly, Kelvin, who is from Ranau, uses his own fabric fragrance, one which has caught the attention of many of his customers.
“Before this, I would only sell my product to my existing customers. The Bisnes Orang Muda programme encouraged me to market my product outside Ranau. Thanks to this, I was able to bring my products to Kota Kinabalu for the first time,” he said.
To Kelvin, the Bisnes Orang Muda programme nurtures the business acumen of young entrepreneurs so that they always stay on the right track.
It made him believe that, with the right knowledge, the impossible can be turned into the possible.
Stella Jones, who sells bosou, a traditional preserved Kadazandusun dish made from fermented fish, echoed Kelvin’s sentiments.
She shared, “I gained valuable knowledge from the programme. I learned about financial management and online marketing”.
The programme has enhanced Stella’s online marketing skills, as evidenced by the surge in her sales through Facebook and TikTok.
As such, she encouraged other youths, especially those who may be struggling in finding employment, to take a leap of faith and start their own business, as platforms such as Bisnes Orang Muda are available and ready to help.
Stella started her business back in 2015 and has never looked back.
With the recipe passed down by her parents, she is determined to preserve and popularise the bosou cuisine among the younger generation.
Felizia with their products at the Urban Tamu bazaar.
Felizia Dourus, an entrepreneur who sells sinulamba, a traditional garment from the Kadazandusun community in Kiulu, has also enjoyed a spike in her business after her stint with Bisnes Orang Muda.
“The programme has broadened my knowledge, especially in terms of financial planning and marketing.
Here, I learned how to market my product and expand my business,” she said, adding that her booth received positive response during the two-day bazaar.
