Was grateful to be able to be at this inspiring event that took place in MYDIN USJ Subang Jaya today. The closing ceremony of the Ibu Nakhoda Hidup 2018 today features 15 selected mumpreneurs with their amazing background and stories on their journey in their small medium enterprise business from home. Apart from these, they are now looking for 5 more mumpreneurs to be on board this programme (application ends 31st July 2018).


Today's highlight was also the "Pledges" board that is open the public to write in their suggestions or feedbacks on how these mumpreneurs can further enhance or improve their business. I literally wrote suggestions for all of them as I advocate on supporting homemakers because I have a special feature page just for them on my web and also helping to admin several Facebook Groups myself, I realize some moms are unaware of all these support that is happening out there that could be of benefit to their small business from home.


The Ibu Nakhoda Hidup programme went on a nationwide tour to 10 MYDINs since it started earlier March this year. The programme co-organized by Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad (MYDIN), Procter & Gamble (P&G) and NGO-Pertubuhan Pembangunan Kendiri Wanita and Gadis (WOMEN:girls); saw growth and improvement from participating mumpreneurs across Malaysia throughout this programme.


This programme started 3+ years ago on May 2015 and had over 400 mumpreneurs applicants and more every year. This year alone a month before the closing ceremony today, they have received up to 150 applicants from mumpreneurs across Malaysia.

"When it first started, we at MYDIN were very excited, because we get to build a programme that resonates with a majority of MYDIN's customers - mostly mothers, who are venturing into business and entrepreneurship. It's also a great way to create a network of mumpreneurs who can help one another improve in their businesses. Like me, prior before joining MYDIN, I used to run a school daycare centre myself and I have personally felt the difficulty that most of these mumpreneurs are facing; That's why this programme is also to tell all mumpreneurs out there that you are not alone in this journey." said by Datin Wira Dr. Hajah Siti Hawa Mohd, Director of MYDIN.


P&G has spent almost more than RM200,000 worth of products from these mumpreneurs along the way and during 2015 to 2017, RM300,000 was raised to help these women in their businesses.

"Despite the ups and downs of economic situation in the world and this country, this has been one of our dear programmes, which have not only changed the lives of the mother entrepreneurs that we have found and selected, but also the people working behind this programme, and how thet view life and the values they have within themselves.- Teoh Gaik May, General Manager of P&G Malaysia"

For the past 2 months, RM0.05 cents was collected with every sales of P&G products across MYDIN outlets nationwide and in total, they have collectively managed to raise RM106,078.55 that was presented in cheque form by Datuk Wira (Dr.) Haji Ameer Ali Mydin, Datin Wira Dr. Hajah Siti Hawa Mohd and Ms. Teoh Gaik May, General Manager of P&G Malaysia to the President of WOMEN:girls, Ms. Low Ngai Yuen. This amount will be further used to improvise, enhance and support the 5 new mumpreneurs that will be selected this 2018.


This programme itself has garnered many support from organisations such as Tekun Nasional (Selangor), Kelab Usahawan Selangor, Hijrah Selangor, Women Entrepreneur Network Association (WENA) and Giat MARA (Johor) through roadshows and on-ground engagement.


This programme is really a game-changer especially for working mothers from home with their hidden talents and skillset that can be leverage to build their own business of their own. Especially with support from these amazing corporate companies, you don't just get the exposure but you can even learn from one another through the journey. For MYDIN, being a part of this special programme, allows them to have more offerings and choices to their customers in a variety of products and even opportunities for these mother's to have a successful business as well.


It is not just about support though monetary form, but it's the whole journey altogether that this programme can offer. A journey for these mumpreneurs to step up and be a role model, an inspiration to other moms out there, to venture into their own field of expertise and how to further expand their business. Hoping that these mumpreneurs would be able to get more opportunities and be empowered to make changes in their life and living through this programme as well.


From all of the 15 alumni of the Ibu Nakhoda Hidup programme, today's 2018 closing ceremony were joined by all five 2015 ibu, Ibsatulhaily Ibrahim, Rozaih Asman, Farah Izyan, Ratna Adnan and Tengku Norhaslinda; 2016 ibu, Mazleen Mahmood and Rohaiza Selamat and 2017 ibu Azizah Ahmad, Haimisah Mahli and Anita Othman.

"Success of the mumpreneurs is subject to how big or how small and most importantly what these mumpreneurs define success to them. It is not a one-off journey but it is a journey where we meet and talk with these mother entrepreneurs all around Malaysia, as we get to understand the issues and challenges faced by them in making their passion in business happen; And this is the most important part of the programme. The ability to understand, adapt and improve the opportunities that we have within our programmes that could help them get through their issues and overcome their challenges. We look forward to expand this programme that would not just benefit the mothers but also the entire family as a whole." said by Low Ngai Yuen, President of WOMEN:girls.


Applicant selections are based on basic questions then WOMEN:girls community will go on-ground to understand and speak to these mumpreneurs to understand them further. As said by Low Ngai Yuen, "the measure of success is not based on how much they earn but how they feel doing what they are doing."


Winners for Ibu Nakhoda Hidup every year will receive opportunities in terms of branding, business as well as enhancement in machinery and equipment to bring their business to the next level which is funded from the Hulurkan Harapan Fund established since 2013 generated through purchase of P&G products in MYDIN to support social causes and initiatives championed by P&G.


I was grateful to be able to get my face caricature by the amazing talented local cartoonist Azha Hamid "Aloy" who was started his amazing career through "Bakat Kita" column under "Gelihati" magazine and shortly after his skill was further improvised and enhanced further as he was drawing for "Gila Gila" Magazine for the cartoon "Sidek". It was a really quick caricature too! Didn't even take 10 minutes.
If you would like to participate in the Ibu Nakhoda Hidup 2018 selection rounds, please register here: