Food Truck Entrepreneur: Digital Marketing and Online Transition Helps To Retain Customers
Welcome back to an all-new Head’s Up. In collaboration with Satu Creative, we are bringing you the journey of food truck entrepreneurs who share the challenges they face and what it takes to overcome and strive ahead.
For this issue, we are featuring Nur Azreena Binti Sulaiman, Founder of Dahlia D'corner Chicken Porridge who shares with us the importance of making the right pivot and how Satu Creative is helping her business to be more sustainable in a post-pandemic world.
But just before you go on to read her thoughts, we have several announcements from key industry players.
Till our next issue, stay safe and stay healthy!
News & Announcements
ScaleUp Malaysia announces its Top 20 Companies for its 3rd Cohort
Growth stage accelerator, ScaleUp Malaysia announced the selection of the Top 20 Companies for Cohort 3 which it announced in August 2021. The team evaluated over 200 applications not just from Malaysia but also attracted startups from as far as the United States of America, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan and Egypt.
Joining ScaleUp Malaysia for Cohort 3 are two international Venture Capital firms, Quest Ventures and Indelible Ventures. The 20 selected companies will each be on separate tracks and will work closely with each Venture Capital firm.
The companies selected for the Quest Ventures track are: Jazro Tech, MADCash, Traitily, GuruInovatif, SpareXHub, Nanka, Vireserve, Open Academy, Hav., PantangPlus, J8 Autism, Graze Market, WeGo, Wa Sushi and Biztech.Asia.
Indelible Ventures, a US based fund with a mandate to invest in Malaysian B2B startups, has selected 5 companies to be a part of its track which it believes have the potential to scale at an international arena. Kevin Brockland, Managing Partner said, “These companies have shown that they can build potentially world class products and are at an inflection point. I look forward to working with them to put Malaysian based scaleups on the radar regionally and globally.”
The companies selected for the Indelible Ventures track are: Midwest Composites, Howuku, Q3 Payments, GoCloud and Neptrix.
In January 2022, 10 companies will receive offers for investment of RM250,000 to continue their growth journey with ScaleUp Malaysia, Quest Ventures and Indelible Ventures.
Solarvest Introduces Solarvest Innovation Lab
Solarvest has introduced its Solarvest Innovation Lab to encourage innovation and promote entrepreneurial spirit.. Depending on what stage you are at, the programme offers Seed Fund and Accelerator Fund, along with mentorship and a variety of other benefits.
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝟑𝟎 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏, submit your idea to https://lnkd.in/gY98hMub now!
Inviting all startups and students to participate in the ASB101K Southeast Asia entrepreneurship competition!
Hosted by the Asia School of Business, they aim to address current market challenges and opportunities through innovative technology-driven solutions.
Register by Dec 1st and compete to win MYR101,000. More details at www.asb101k.com
How would you describe 2021 as an enterprise and what were some of your highlights?
The year 2021 has been quite challenging. When many entrepreneurs were unable to operate due to COVID-19, we were fortunate to some extent as F&B businesses were allowed to open under strict SOPs.
How did you pivot in the face of the challenges posed by the pandemic?
As an entrepreneur, we must always be prepared no matter what the challenges may be. I try to think positively and adhere to all the rules that have been set by the government to ensure everyone’s safety.
What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges?
My advice to fellow entrepreneurs is to keep a positive mindset and attitude. A good entrepreneur possesses grit and we should not be too quickly discouraged whenever things don’t go as planned. Pick yourself up and never give up. When one approach doesn’t work, we should try something else.
On the digital front, how have you adapted? And what was the outcome like?
The support from Satu Creative through the Maxis eKelas Usahawan programme, has helped me and fellow entrepreneurs to shift my business online. Adapting digital marketing taught by Satu Creative coaches has enabled me to reach and acquire more customers.
In the upcoming Budget 2022, what sort of initiatives/policies should the government undertake to better help Malaysian enterprises?
I suggest our government support entrepreneurs by providing more grants, interest-free financing and rental discounts for business premises.
How has Satu Creative aided you as an entrepreneur to get through these hard times and what was the outcome like?
Satu Creative has helped me to sustain my business through programmes such as the Maxis eKelas Usahawan and INSKEN Industry Business Coach. The guidance offered by the coaches has contributed to my business going strong despite the current challenging business environment. We are open for business and continue to provide employment opportunities. Dahlia D'corner Chicken Porridge is now expanding our business model to include licensing as a new source of income.
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