Open For Business

How did Wonderboys Cleaning turn RM4,000 in startup capital into a business that makes RM600,000 in annual revenue?

From doom scrolling on Instagram at 2 a.m. to building a thriving cleaning services business, today we dive into Sathya Selvarajah’s journey with Wonderboys Cleaning. Launched in 2019 with just RM4,000 in startup capital, what began as a university side hustle has grown into a full-fledged business generating RM600,000 in annual revenue with strong margins.

With over 500 clients serviced, including well-known names like Kapten Batik and Common Ground, and a partnership with Knight Frank, this episode of Open For Business explores how Sathya started and grew Wonderboys Cleaning, the challenges he faced, the strategies he used to scale, and his plans to expand beyond KL.

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On this episode of Open For Business, we welcome Dino Loh, Director of Swing & Pillows, Malaysia's largest co-living and hotel chain operator. Dino shares insights into the company's recent expansion into Bukit Bintang with the acquisition of five hotels under the Kingston brand. This move strengthens Swing & Pillows' presence in key locations, offering a range of accommodations from entry-level to premium. We’ll discuss how this acquisition positions the brand for future growth and its strategy to dominate Malaysia’s hospitality sector. Tune in for a closer look at the company’s vision for the future.

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Tired of swiping? Swipeless is on a mission to bring back real-life dating through curated, offline activities.

This platform connects singles not through screens, but through shared experiences—think pizza-making workshops, hiking trips, quiz nights, and board game sessions. With about 700 members and growing, Swipeless is focused on enhancing genuine interactions in an increasingly digital world. Founder Shan Li aims to rekindle the magic of in-person connections with a fresh, curated approach.

Shan Li is no stranger to entrepreneurship; she co-founded the successful mum-and-baby e-commerce business Baby Dash, which raised RM2 million through equity crowdfunding in 2017. As a partner at ScaleUp Malaysia and with over 20 years of experience—including 12 years at CIMB—Shan Li brings a wealth of knowledge from both the corporate and startup worlds.

In this episode, we explore the story behind Swipeless, the unique opportunity Shan Li sees in reviving real-life connections, and her journey from corporate life to pioneering new ventures in the digital age.

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Salad Atelier, possibly the first name to come to mind when one craves a fresh and delicious salad, especially when you think of its poke bowls and the joy of customising your own meal to perfection.

As Salad Atelier celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, we speak with the Founder, Dylan Lee, to reflect on a decade of growth and innovation. Salad Atelier has added flavour to the Malaysian food scene with its commitment to healthy, delicious, and sustainable dining. With over 30 outlets and plans to expand to 38 by year-end, Salad Atelier displays the characteristics of perseverance, creativity, and consumer engagement.

In this conversation with Dylan, we follow the journey of Salad Atelier, from overcoming initial challenges to achieving progressive growth, exploring the strategies that have driven its success. We also discuss the importance of sustainability, how Salad Atelier adapts to local tastes, and Dylan’s vision for the future.

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What started as a mission into sonography as a practitioner 15 years ago, has grown into a multifaceted pregnancy care ecosystem, which also includes education and training for aspiring sonographers and mobile apps for parents and expectant parents.

We dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Jezzlyn Siu, Managing Director of Sono Holding. From her beginnings as a sonographer, Jezzlyn has built a thriving enterprise that not only provides ultrasound services, but also educates aspiring sonographers and offers digital tools for expectant parents.

We dive into how Sonobee Ultrasound grew to a network of 61 service centres across Malaysia, capturing a significant share of the market, but also discuss the strategic restructuring that led to the formation of Sono Holding, encompassing three key subsidiaries—Sonobee Ultrasound, Bebee Asia, and Dacas Education—and the synergy between these businesses.

Jezzlyn shares the challenges faced in scaling the business, the strategies employed to expand and maintain their market position, and how the recent investment from Artem Ventures is set to drive further growth. Plus, we'll look at her ambitions for the future of Sono Holding and how the company plans to continue innovating in the pregnancy care industry.

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How can homeowners make the switch to solar energy without breaking the bank?

Founded in 2022, Okapi Solar is on a mission to make solar power more accessible to homeowners by offering financing solutions that eliminate the high upfront costs typically associated with solar panel installations. Okapi buys the solar panels first, and then leases it to homeowners.

Zhern Yung and Christopher, both with backgrounds in banking and engineering, share their journey of leaving the corporate world to venture into entrepreneurship. They discuss the challenges and opportunities they’ve encountered in the solar energy sector, and how their experience has shaped Okapi’s approach to financing.

Okapi Solar’s financing plans are designed specifically for landed residential properties, allowing homeowners to install solar panels with zero upfront payment and fixed monthly lease payments over a period of up to 10 years. The co-founders delve into the company’s business model, the balance between raising and deploying funds, and the importance of evaluating customer creditworthiness to maintain a healthy business.

As Okapi Solar targets financing 100 residential solar energy systems per month by the first quarter of 2025, Zhern Yung and Christopher also discuss their future plans, including scaling their operations, expanding partnerships with solar installers, and much more.

Tune in to learn how Okapi Technologies is lowering the barrier to solar power adoption, and what lies ahead for this innovative startup.

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We talk to Harith Aqil, the founder of LOOKOO, a local F&B startup that’s set to change how we think about doughnuts with their unique twist—doughnut balls. Inspired by his time in Melbourne, Harith launched LOOKOO in 2022 with the help of his childhood best friend. Their delicious doughnut balls have quickly gained popularity, available not only in their physical store but also through food delivery platforms like GrabFood, Foodpanda, and ShopeeFood.

We discuss with Harith about his journey from the 9-5 world to the entrepreneurial path, exploring the motivations behind starting LOOKOO, the challenges faced in the F&B industry, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for the brand.

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In a world dominated by smartphones and tablets, is there still room for a premium stationery and notebook brand?

As Mossery celebrates its 10th anniversary as a full-time business, we sit down with Jun Lim, co-founder and CEO of Mossery, to explore the brand’s evolution from a pet project among graphic design students to a homegrown stationery brand with an international presence.

We delve into Mossery's unique journey, discussing the founding story and early challenges, the brand’s design philosophy and working with illustrators and designers across the world, and how these collaborations have helped Mossery grow its presence beyond Malaysian borders. These collaborations have helped Mossery stand out in a crowded market and appeal to a global audience, with 85% of its sales coming from international markets, particularly the United States.

Beyond that, we also explore how and why the company is adapting its business model to meet evolving consumer demands, with Jun sharing that Mosery will be shifting to a B2B focus. He also provides a glimpse into the company’s financial strategies, including bootstrapping the business and managing the logistics of customised production, and he shares his vision for Mossery’s future in both digital and physical spaces, including potential strategic partnerships and plans for further expansion.

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Founded in 2015 by a group of friends united by a passion for fitness and a commitment to healthy living, Soluxe Nutrition emerged from a shared desire to redefine the world of nutrition. Dissatisfied with the artificial-laden products that dominated the market, these long-time fitness enthusiasts embarked on a mission to create an alternative that not only supports optimal health but also stays true to the power of natural, plant-based ingredients.

What began as a small startup with a single focus on premium pea protein has blossomed into a journey of growth. Soluxe Nutrition now offers a range of 11 protein varieties and a superfood green, all developed with meticulous attention to quality and sustainability.

Today, we speak with the Co-Founder of Soluxe Nutrition, Wilson Quah, about his passion, perseverance, and pioneering spirit that have propelled Soluxe Nutrition to what it is today in the health and wellness industry.

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With his 20 years of experience in the rubber industry, Steven founded Geomax Rubber in 2018 with the aim to revolutionise the footwear industry by upcycling rejected nitrile gloves into eco-friendly soles and shoes. The company has developed an effective method of converting rejected nitrile gloves into high-performance eco-friendly rubber compounds, leading to the creation of their unique product line under the brand Solewell. Their offerings include safety shoes, sandals, boots, and soles.

Today, we dive into the past, present, and future of this venture, including their unique value proposition, the challenges faced, and their ambitious plans ahead. We’ll explore what led Steven down this very specific path, the partnership with recycling industry players Andrew Siah and Danny Lee, and their expansion into new market segments like women’s footwear and school shoes.

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