KUALA LUMPUR – In a suburb in Ampang, Selangor, a social enterprise known as Komuniti Tukang Jahit (KTJ) is transforming the lives of B40 women, including single mothers and housewives.
Stich by stitch, these women are putting their tailoring skills to good use, sewing their way to a sustainable income and financial independence — all from the comfort of their homes.
The initiative allows these women to supplement their household income while balancing family responsibilities.
Their products, which range from simple items such as lanyards, name card holders and sleeves to laptop pouches and corporate merchandise, have even penetrated the global market, said KTJ founder and chief executive officer, Yap Sue Yii, 32.
Mother as inspiration
Yap drew her inspiration in setting up the KTJ from her mother, Ng Yin Mei, a 65-year-old housewife whose hands-on nature and dedication to charity work left a lasting impression on her.
"My mom is very hands-on and loves do-it-yourself projects. When I was young, she always took me along when she did her charity work,” Yap told Bernama during an event to celebrate KTJ’s fifth-anniversary.
Inspired by her mother's efforts to help other women boost their income, Yap saw the potential to create opportunities for those she affectionately calls "kakak-kakak" (sisters) to earn extra income while balancing their household responsibilities.
Empowering women one stitch at a time
At its core, KTJ’s mission is simple: empower women by giving them a way to contribute financially to their families.
"When KTJ started, we did not know exactly what we wanted to do, but we knew we wanted to empower the B40 community.
"We realised that many of them had sewing skills, so we decided to secure corporate orders for them, and upskill them with the right training,” she added.
The training is conducted in-house, where the team assesses each tailor's abilities and craftsmanship.
If a tailor is proficient in sewing name card holders, she might be trained to make more complex items like pouches or laptop sleeves, which offer higher earning potential.
From a small group of five women when it first started in 2018, its members have since increased to over 340, with around 50 to 60 tailors actively involved at any given time.
Many have achieved significant financial gains, with some earning up to RM35,000 over several years with KTJ, Yap said.
Corporate collaboration driving social impact
KTJ’s success is largely due to its strong partnerships with corporate clients, who account for 80 per cent of its sales.
Yap said these clients typically request unisex, lightweight products —such as lanyards, cardholders and laptop sleeves—ideal for events and corporate gifts.
The enterprise has also expanded to international markets, receiving orders from countries like Singapore, Japan, and Dubai.
"Our clients love that these items are easy for international delegates to take home. We work hard to stay competitive. If prices are too high, clients cannot support us long-term, but if they are too low, we cannot sustain the community,” Yap said.
She noted that balancing profitability while maintaining the social enterprise's core mission is an ongoing challenge.
Crafting the future
The social enterprise aims to achieve RM1 million in sales by the end of this year, said Yap, who is optimistic about reaching the target, emphasising that KTJ is ambitious and that they aim to grow and gain recognition.
She said KTJ has also set its sights on expanding to more international markets by the third quarter of next year.
In line with the growing demand for sustainable products, KTJ is exploring the area of upcycling to align with corporate environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) goals.
Yap envisions transforming unused materials into functional items, such as corporate merchandise, to further KTJ's sustainability mission.
When asked about KTJ's future, she shared her vision of establishing KTJ as a global brand, offering handmade products to markets around the world.
"Our products don’t have to be exclusively Malaysian. They can reflect themes from different countries while still supporting local communities,” she said.
Creating lasting change
KTJ’s impact extends beyond providing side income, offering B40 single women and housewives the chance to gain financial independence, boosting their self-esteem and giving them a sense of purpose.
The ripple effect spreads across their families, with children witnessing their mothers contributing to the household income.
"For many of these women, it’s not just about the money. It’s about being able to say, ‘I did this. I earned this.’ It changes how they see themselves and how their families see them,” Yap said.
With a clear focus on empowering women and building a sustainable business model, KTJ is paving the way for more women to achieve financial independence -- one stitch at a time. - BERNAMA