Monday June 18, 2012

The right mix for rojak seller

KLANG: When M. Shanmuga Dasan opted to quit his steady job in a Japanese company more than a decade ago to run a small business, he knew of the big risks involved.

But he has never looked back since, saying sayonara to his job as a maintenance worker in 2001 to set up “base” in Taman Eng Ann here.

“I was earning RM2,000 a month for 11 years and never got any increment. But the company taught me a lot.

“However, I was struggling to make ends meet after buying a house and car,'' the 45-year-old said at his rojak stall.

Shanmuga, a Form Five dropout, said he summoned the courage to quit his job after his brother suggested that he open a cendol stall to cope with his rising expenses.

“When I got married in 1990, RM2,000 was enough. But when the family expanded, I began to face financial difficulty. I did not like my wife working, so I decided to take up my brother's advice and set up a cendol stall with my wife,” he said.

Shanmuga said business was initially slow but he persevered and saw things picking up after six months.

He then added rojak to the menu, and it became an instant hit with his customers.

“My earnings are enough to pay for my children's education and the best part is that I am my own boss,'' he said with a smile.

Shanmuga has three children aged 15, 17 and 20, who take turns to help out at the stall.

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