Couple see strong business growth by selling hampers with a difference
Two years ago, the couple took their business to even greater heights by producing hampers containing food products that are synonymous with the state.
KUANTAN - Any gift hamper would bring joy to the recipient, but a married couple in the hamper business believe that a distinctive content would make the recipient feel even more special.
The couple -- Siti Sulekha Zakaria, 36, and her husband Rosmani Sapi, 42 -- did not start out selling hampers, distinctive or otherwise.
Instead, they used to operate a stall selling keropok lekor (fish crackers) and once a week, trade baked tamago (omelette) at a farmers’ market here to support themselves and their two children, earning about RM3,000 a month.
Their fortunes began to improve after they received an offer from the Kuantan City Council about eight years ago to relocate to the Bazar Serambi Teruntum Complex -- a tourist destination -- focusing on Pahang’s traditional food products as well as snacks such as chips, traditional delicacies and nuts.
"My husband and I checked out the location, which is popular with tourists seeking food products as gift items and craft products. Since we started trading there, we have managed to change our family’s fortunes,” Siti Sulekha told Bernama.
Their business, Mim Rizqi Enterprise, saw encouraging response at the complex.
Then two years ago, the couple took their business to even greater heights by producing hampers containing food products that are synonymous with the state.
"We usually see hampers that feature biscuits and fruits, but in order to offer something different and make the recipients feel even more special, we decided to create hampers containing Pahang’s iconic cuisines such as sambal hitam, gula kabung (palm sugar), dodol gula kabung (palm sugar-based confection) and keropok keping ikan tamban (fish crackers), as well as small and medium industry products like chips,” she said.
This decision increased their monthly income to five figures, boosting the duo's earnings by 50 per cent annually.
Siti Sulekha said that they receive orders for more than 80 gift hampers monthly from individuals, government agencies and private firms. The hampers are priced from RM50 to RM300 each.
On the hampers’ preparation, she said customers can choose what products to include, and if the order is large, it will take longer to prepare.
"A lot of our income comes from the sale of these hampers, especially as the Aidilfitri celebration approaches. At that time, I would be extremely busy preparing the hampers,” she explained.
Siti Sulekha described the foray into the hamper business featuring Pahang specialities as a fortunate move for the family, which has now grown with an additional child.
The couple have also opened a second shop at a different location -- Jaya Gading -- early this year to increase sales further.
Siti Sulekha, who originally hails from Selangor, said that by utilising Pahang products, they have been able to spread the wealth with local entrepreneurs who supply the products. The suppliers are from Jerantut, Lipis and Pekan, among others.
The couple also promote their business through social media including TikTok and Facebook.
"People everywhere are fond of quality products, in addition to hampers that are neatly and carefully prepared,” she asserted. - BERNAMA
