Mother’s Determination Turns Home-based Soursop Venture Into Growing Business
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- When her child was diagnosed with eye cancer, Zai Suhana Mohd Tap, 44, faced the difficult decision of leaving her job to become a full-time caregiver while finding another way to support her family.
Her child’s treatment and care came first, but the need to earn a living also remained.
A small business making durian belanda (soursop) beverages eventually offered a way to balance both responsibilities. Starting from home in 2017, Zai Suhana learned to process the fruit and prepare drinks for sale, producing just 50 to 100 bottles at a time.
Her first customers came from the local community. As orders increased, what began as a modest source of income started to show potential for something bigger.
“I never expected the response to be so encouraging,” she recalled.
Today, her company, Zaieys Global Resources, produces approximately 3,000 bottles a month. Its beverage range has expanded to include original, honey and lemon flavours, while online sales have helped her reach customers across Malaysia.
The progress has brought new possibilities for her family. It has also required her to learn how to manage a growing business.
Turning demand into sustainable growth
As expansion comes with its own overhead cost, access to funding and practical business guidance became an important next step for Zai Suhana.
In 2022, through Bank Muamalat Bhd’s iTEKAD programme, she received financial assistance to purchase equipment, increase stock and expand production capacity.
iTEKAD Entrepreneurship assists low-income microentrepreneurs to strengthen their financial management and business acumen towards generating sustainable income.
Alongside that assistance came mentorship, business coaching and guidance on entrepreneurship and marketing. These helped her look beyond fulfilling daily orders towards developing the business further.
“The ideas and guidance shared with me helped me view my business differently. I applied many of those lessons and it has helped my business continue moving forward,” she said.
Zai Suhana went on to diversify her range beyond bottled beverages, introducing other soursop-based products, including tea and processed fruit products. A broader offering gave her more ways to serve customers and generate income.
Her experience illustrates a challenge familiar to many small business owners. Having a product people want is an important beginning, but sustaining a business requires resources, skills and the confidence to take the next step.
Halal certification opens new opportunities
With guidance from Bank Muamalat, Zai Suhana also obtained halal certification for her business in 2024. The achievement marks another important step in her efforts to strengthen customer confidence and reach a wider market.
The support has helped her build firmer business foundations, from increasing production and diversifying her products to meeting certification requirements.
Bank Muamalat president and chief executive officer Datuk Khairul Kamarudin said helping entrepreneurs strengthen their ability to earn was central to the programme’s purpose.
“For entrepreneurs balancing business with family responsibilities, the opportunity to earn a sustainable income can make a meaningful difference. Through iTEKAD, we combine financial support with practical business guidance to help participants strengthen their operations and build a more secure livelihood.
“Zai Suhana’s progress reflects her determination and willingness to learn. Our role is to help her build on that effort, with support that responds to the needs of her business as it grows,” he said.
With the halal certification secured, Zai Suhana now hopes to expand production and bring her products to more customers nationwide.
-- BERNAMA