DEBAK: Four years ago, Amy Syuhaida Tio from Kampung Bungey Hilir here was a full-time housewife but she is now a businesswoman.
“My determination to contribute to my family income has finally paid off. I am now making a profit from selling food products,” she said.
The 40-year-old mother has been making snacks for sale since the end of 2017. She makes nine different varieties including Honey Beans, Sweet Spicy Beans, Spicy Rempeyek, Popia Sambal and Muruku.
“I cook, pack and deliver them myself. I started my business after I noticed several of my neighbours were selling snacks. Besides that, cooking is my hobby.
“I learned to make the snacks from my sister. I’ve refined what I’ve learned and succeeded in making snacks that appeal to everyone’s tastes. The snacks I produce and sell have received positive feedback from my customers. They claim my snacks are tasty.” she said.
Among Amy’s best-selling snacks are Rempeyek Berempah and Muruku.
“On average, I can earn RM100 per day. Sometimes, I earn more than RM200 and sometimes I earn nothing at all.
“However, sales have gone down for more than a year because of the restricted movements due to Covid-19,” she said.
Recently, Amy began actively using the postal service to send her snacks to customers in other parts of Sarawak and Malaya.
The mother of four has begun accepting bookings for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Gawai Dayak celebrations.
She said many people did not order anything because they assumed there might not be any celebration at all.
On competition in the snack industry, Amy said, “It’s something you cannot avoid.
“Since there are so many other entrepreneurs here, I must use technology wisely. I have my online websites.
“I used to look for buyers, but now I have our own agents. I have nine regular customers who will buy the snacks to sell in their respective stores.”
Amy hopes that her business will continue to expand in the Sarawak and in Malaya.
She said she once received help from Saribas assemblyman Mohammad Razi Sitam in the form of kitchen tools, containers, pans, etc.
Amy ended her interview by thanking God for the blessings in her life.
Pan-fried peanuts mixed with some special herbs emit great aroma and make excellent snacks. 
Sweet-toothed people should find these caramelised peanuts chopped up into even-sized chunks a delight.
