DESPITE the economic downturn, Hai-O Marketing Sdn Bhd has managed to nurture several Malay entrepreneurs to success in the competitive direct selling industry.
Through its 100,000 members with 95 per cent of them Malay and Bumiputera, the company has showed that it is still possible to succeed despite the tough economic conditions.
Spirit among the members is high and they want to achieve success on their own efforts, said Tun Musa Hitam, co-chairman of the Malaysia-China Business Council.
"They see success staring at their faces. Without government assistance, without any incentive or subsidy, they can succeed. Given the opportunity and their competitive spirit, they can succeed," he said recently when interviewed after attending the Hai Diamond Night event.
Hai-O, with 75 per cent of its revenue from the direct selling business, was among the 13 Malaysian companies which made it to the Forbes Asia's fourth annual "Best Under A Billion" list.
This was the second successive year that the company was in the list.
To help the entrepreneurs, Hai-O provides guidance in planning, marketing and product sales as well as incentives like Umrah and holiday packages.
Musa said that many did not know that majority of the successful Hai-O entrepreneurs are teachers and housewives.
"The success of the company came from the active involvement of housewives, and the women community in particular," he said.
Among them is Siti Rohana Yusoff, a crown diamond manager who has been in the business for five years and now earning a monthly income of five to six figures.
"At the start I did it in my start due to my busy schedule as a teacher. After a year and a half, I saw the prospects were good and decided to stop work and do it full-time," she said.
According to Rohana, the economic slowdown has not affected her business and she has also received many requests to become entrepreneurs like her.
She said the qualities needed to succeed in the business was patience and determination never to give up.
Another entrepreneur Samiah Parman said she personally tried the products offered by the company before deciding to enter the business.
"The products were effective and my success started with the marketing strategy," she said.
Hai-O is now ready to spread its wings, looking at neighbouring Indonesia.
Group managing director Tan Kai Hee said the company expects to open its Indonesian branch by the end of this month and has targeted to register 5,000 members in the first six months.
"We will provide an opportunity for free registrations to attract more people. In addition, we will hold several workshops to introduce our products," Tan said.
To expand its business in Malaysia, the company planned to launch new products in the skincare, health food and household categories, he said.
Asked whether Hai-O was keen to explore other markets in the region, Tan said the Malaysian and Indonesian markets still have big potential for growth.
"We are committed towards nurturing our entrepreneurs. At this point, the Hai-O entrepreneurs have shown an encouraging performance," he said. -- Bernama
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