In the vast world of business, where attention often gravitates towards massive corporations, there exists another captivating narrative—the tales of local brand founded by young local founders. Fueled by unwavering dedication, ingenious ideas, and a deep-rooted affection for their locality, it’s not surprising to see local brand blossomed into household names. What unites these local founders is their remarkable journey from modest beginnings to becoming hometown heroes, enriching their communities and beyond with their presence. Let’s dive into their inspiring stories and see how these young entrepreneurs and their local brands made it big.
Bask Bear Coffee
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryan Loo, CEO of Loob Holdings and the visionary behind Bask Bear Coffee turned adversity into opportunity. Initially this local brand started with eight physical outlets and planned for 50 more, the Movement Control Order (MCO) disrupted these expansion plans. Undeterred, Loo shifted to a virtual model, leveraging Tealive’s infrastructure for online orders. In just six months, Bask Bear Coffee opened 100 virtual branches, becoming Malaysia’s fastest-growing virtual coffee brand.
At the heart of Bask Bear Coffee’s appeal lies its unique use of gula aren, a palm sugar sourced from the lush mangrove forests of Borneo. Carefully prepared by local farmers over firewood, this traditional sweetener boasts a lower glycaemic index than honey, appealing to health-conscious consumers. Beyond its exceptional coffee offerings, Bask Bear Coffee’s menu showcases innovation with the introduction of the first-in-Malaysia Halal Korean Toasties range. The combination of high-quality dark roast Arabica brews and unique food offerings has helped Bask Bear Coffee capture a diverse audience.
Fueled by its virtual triumph, Bask Bear Coffee has grown to over 125 physical outlets across Malaysia, serving more than 400,000 customers monthly. The shift from online to brick-and-mortar stores was seamless, thanks to the brand’s strong digital roots and loyal customer base. Bask Bear Coffee’s journey exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and innovation, positioning it as a trailblazer in Malaysia’s competitive coffee landscape.
JYNNS
Meet Alan Tan Kim Chai, co-founder of JYNNS, the local brand on the rise for its dedication to improving lives. Alan was born into a large family where he cherished the vibrant atmosphere of every Chinese New Year celebration. The joyful gatherings and reunions during this festive season deeply influenced Alan and his brother, inspiring them to venture into the hamper and gift industry as entrepreneurs, and eventually found their way to holistic wellness. His mission now is to create communities that embrace a holistic approach to wellness that encompasses physical health, mental well-being, and sustainable living.
This local brand dedication to holistic wellness is reflected in the brand’s unwavering dedication to quality. JYNNS team meticulously source only premium ingredients, ensuring each product delivers its full spectrum of health benefits. Innovation is core to their philosophy, driving their continuous efforts to refine and expand their diverse product portfolio. This includes invigorating multigrain beverages, scientifically formulated collagen supplements for enhanced efficacy, nourishing bird’s nest products, and a delightful range of honeys. As the brand expands, its core mission remains steadfast – empowering individuals to lead healthier lives.
Oriental Kopi
Since its establishment in 2021, Oriental Kopi, founded by Calvin Chan, has grown from a single coffee shop to a respected chain with 14 outlets and 2 merchandise stores across Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, and Selangor. The brand’s success is attributed to its dedication to providing an exceptional culinary experience rooted in Malaysia’s rich coffee culture. With meticulous craftsmanship and a selection of premium ingredients, Oriental Kopi’s specialties embody the legacy of Malaysia’s authentic flavours, meticulously developed to offer a delightful fusion of traditional and modern tastes.
At the core of Oriental Kopi’s popularity is its signature item, the Oriental Kopi, made using a meticulous Nanyang-style brewing process with a blend of Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica beans. Alongside this renowned brew, Oriental Kopi is also known for its delicious pastries, including the record-breaking thickest egg tarts in Malaysia, as recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records. From the popular polo bun to the aromatic nasi lemak, each dish showcases Oriental Kopi’s commitment to providing top-notch quality and flavour.
Now, Oriental Kopi sets its sights beyond Malaysian borders, poised to make its mark on the international stage with the upcoming debut of its first outlet in Singapore. Partnering with Singapore’s esteemed Paradise Group, Oriental Kopi aims to bring its authentic flavours and cultural heritage to a new audience in the Lion City. While the exact location remains undisclosed, Paradise Group has assured eager patrons that the inaugural outlet will be strategically positioned within a “prime area.” With plans for a total of eight outlets to be unveiled over the course of three years, this venture marks Oriental Kopi’s maiden overseas expansion, symbolising a significant milestone in its journey towards global recognition.
Inside Scoop
The journey of Inside Scoop, another local brand that we can be proud of, embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication of its founders, Edmund Tan and Lim Shiew Li. Leaving behind their corporate careers as an investment banker and actuary, respectively, they ventured into the world of artisanal ice cream with a clear vision. Recognising a gap in the market for brick-and-mortar stores crafting their own unique flavours, they set out to create a brand that would redefine the ice cream experience in Malaysia.
Starting from scratch, Lim honed her ice cream-making skills through dedicated training, ensuring that every scoop of Inside Scoop’s creations exudes quality and craftsmanship. In 2013, their first store opened its doors in Bangsar, offering 16 flavours that quickly became customer favourites, including the iconic Durian and luxurious Valrhona Chocolate. With each scoop, Inside Scoop’s reputation for exceptional taste and warm service grew, leading to the expansion of their stores across Malaysia.
What sets Inside Scoop apart is its deep connection to the local community. As a homegrown brand, Inside Scoop understands the Malaysian palate intimately, crafting flavours that resonate with the diverse tastes of its customers. This localise approach has enabled Inside Scoop to carve out a niche in the market, standing out amidst the presence of larger competitors. With Farm Fresh Bhd’s recent stake acquisition, Inside Scoop’s journey enters a new chapter, leveraging the strengths of both companies to further enhance its presence and offerings in the ice cream sector.
Christy Ng
Christy Ng‘s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a renowned shoe designer is a testament to her unwavering determination and entrepreneurial spirit. Starting with odd jobs as a teenager and persisting through college by selling shoes at night markets, Christy’s resilience propelled her forward. Her transition from selling others’ shoes to designing her own stemmed from a desire to address a gap in the market for comfortable yet stylish footwear, particularly tailored to the needs of Asian women.
The journey into custom footwear began when Christy received a unique request from a bride in North Carolina. Seeking shoes for herself and her bridesmaids, the bride reached out to Christy after discovering her brand online. Recognising the lack of options that catered to her specific needs, the bride’s request marked a turning point for Christy, propelling her into the realm of bespoke footwear. This opportunity not only showcased Christy’s ability to meet individualised demands but also laid the groundwork for her expansion into custom shoemaking.
Christy’s journey soared to new heights when she won the prestigious Alliance Bank’s Bizsmart SME Innovation Challenge in 2013. This significant victory pushed the local brand boundaries even further and fuelled the development of a 3D design tool for custom-made shoes on the website. Through support from the Cradle Fund, Christy strategically enhanced her online presence using targeted marketing efforts, establishing herself as a trailblazer in the footwear industry. Christy Ng’s story serves as a compelling testament to the transformative potential of perseverance and unwavering dedication in realising one’s aspirations.
From small beginnings, they have grown and expanded, becoming legends in their communities and beyond. As these local brands continue to thrive and innovate, they set a powerful example of how local brands can achieve remarkable growth and make a lasting impact. By continuing to support and celebrate these local businesses, we contribute to a vibrant and diverse marketplace that benefits us all.
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