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Home-based entrepreneurs rue the pandemic

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Siti Kamisah operates her business from home.
BY UMIE SYAZWANIE MOHD

KUCHING: The prevailing Covid-19 pandemic has immensely impacted the economy, and home-based business owners are not spared.

In a poll by New Sarawak Tribune, they shared about the many challenges they faced while running their business during this difficult period.

Some expressed delight for being able to continue their businesses despite having to tackle a myriad of problems in order for their businesses to stay afloat.

Fazdhil

Fazdhil Mu’ Azam Jamil, who has been selling cheese and chocolate cakes from his house in Limbang for about a year-and-a-half now said the pandemic has resulted in poor business.

He said he faced difficulties in getting supply of raw materials such as chocolate for his cake-making.

“I have to place an order through my cousin in Miri because chocolate from the local market in Limbang is getting more expensive,” he said.

Rohayatushima

Rohayatushima Jamain, who also runs a home-based bakery in Kampung Sebuak in Padawan, said she had to limit her deliveries to only nearby areas as many areas were under the enhanced movement control order due to the rising positive cases in the areas concerned.

According to her, she started the business about a year ago after she decided to quit her permanent job as a production operator at a Taiyo Yuden factory here.

“The first time when the movement control order (MCO) was implemented, the standard operating procedures (SOPs) were very strict and resulted in slow business. Then, we don’t dare to make deliveries in areas that are quite far away. Luckily, we still manage to make deliveries to areas around the town and manage to make some profit to cover our expenses,” she explained.

With no clear end of the pandemic in sight, she said her only hope was that her business could still grow albeit slowly, adding: “I planned to reconfigure my sales strategy to increase revenue”.

Ifazira

Ifazira Mahedi, who owns a home-based spa and bouquet business in Kampung Sebandi, Asajaya, Kota Samarahan, said while she welcomed customers, she is also worried about the risk of exposure to the virus.

“It’s a tough decision to make while at the same time we have to strictly adhere to the SOPs.”

She said business had gone from bad to worse as the number of people being infected by Covid-19 continues to rise.

“Fortunately, I still manage to get the business going, especially in the delivery of bouquets which helps to cover my expenses. I hope the situation will soon get back to normal when more people have completed their vaccination,” she added.

Melina

A home-based cosmetics business owner in Kampung Quop near here, Melina Kimura, who also runs a women’s clothing business, said sales are inconsistent as most people do not need new outfits as they are staying at home most of the time.

Melina, who had been running the business for two years, however, said she is fortunate that she still has customers who ordered from her.

“My cosmetics business is seriously affected but people still make orders for clothing. Hot selling are pajamas and casual clothes for home use,” she added.

Kadariah

Home-décor business owner Kadariah Marsan in Taman Samarindah, Samarahan said her biggest challenge was to deliver the goods to her customers.

Kadariah, who started the business about a year ago, said many of her customers are staying in areas that had been placed under the MCO.

“We have no choice but to hold on to the goods and this seriously affects our income. But, I am not giving up and will continue to find ways to grow the business,” she added.

Jonathan

Jonathan Ranggo Junior Edward, who sells pork burgers from his house in Kampung Annah Rais, Padawan since five years ago, said there is a drastic drop in customers.

He hoped the pandemic situation would be over soon so that his business would be back to normal.

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