No regrets: Gayathiri helping her customers at her stall at the Batu Lanchang market in George Town. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: While many choose to remain in comfortable office positions, others have discovered the fulfilment that comes from managing their family business.
S. Gayathiri, 33, obtained a bachelor’s degree and spent eight years building a career as a tourism management executive.
Then came the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit the tourism sector particularly hard, and she eventually lost her job.
But Gayathiri noticed that business was good when her grandmother was selling vegetables at the Batu Lanchang market.
She began helping out at her grandmother’s stall, eventually taking over the trade, and she has not looked back.
“Even pilots were selling nasi lemak during the pandemic. It was normal.
“Once I started manning the stall, I realised how much better it was to be my own boss,” she said.
Gayathiri said being the boss meant she could close shop whenever she needed to.
However, she also developed a sense of social responsibility as she felt compelled to open her stall during peak hours for those needing to buy vegetables.
“I now work daily and rarely take a day off. I closed the stall for only four days for Deepavali, and even then, customers kept calling to check when we would reopen,” she said.
Due to her years in the tourism sector, ensuring that buyers get a positive customer experience became a priority.
Her own boss: Chew says she likes that she can work at her own pace.
Gayathiri worked out a system for her regulars to order online and began providing delivery service.
“I pack the orders, and either they come to collect them or I arrange for their deliveries. Sometimes, I personally drive out to deliver the orders.
“This has made a huge difference, as many do not have the time to do marketing, and this option has made it easier for them.
“It has also brought in more business as more people prefer to buy online after the pandemic,” she said.
Gayathiri said she still has many walk-in customers, but to ensure that the business keeps doing well, she has to continue with the online orders.
“Once you work for yourself, you cannot go back to office jobs.
“One cannot expect daily profits, but you can make money,” she added.
Gayathiri said her grandmother insisted she contribute to the Employee’s Provident Fund.
“She believes it is important and wants me to have a retirement fund,” she said.
Meanwhile, tailor Chew Peng Peng, who joined her mother’s business when she was 16, said she always knew that one day she would be taking over.
“My mother worked hard to start something, and I want to carry it forward.
“There is a market for stitching and alterations, especially now that people are buying clothes online and always want to make some changes. We have regular customers,” said the 46-year-old.
“If we put in the hours, we can make good money.”
Chew said she liked that she could work at her own pace.
“I can care for my children, as I am not answerable to anyone. I make more money than my mother did, and business is flourishing,” she added.
Chew’s cousin, Chai Li Yin, 24, who has been training for seven years to join the business, said she found the work interesting.
“The craft drew me in, and I wanted to learn it. My parents wanted me to work in a factory, but I do not like the hours.
“The work here is good, and I can make money.
“This is better than an office job, as I have more free time. My working hours are also flexible,” she said.
Chai said while she does not contribute to EPF, she finds other ways to save money.
“I earn more money when I put in more hours.
“I enjoy my work and there is always business, which means I can make extra money,” she added.
