By FARAH NADHIRAH MUHAMMAD KHAIRUN
In our current economical state, everyone is struggling to sustain their economic stability. Prices of daily necessities are increasing while monthly income, unfortunately, is still at a constant if not reduced. People are finding ways to expand their source of income. Most of the time the simplest way is to initiate a small start-up.
In this modern age of technology, online businesses are the way to go. Statistics have shown that 91% of online users opt to shop online as it is more convenient, simpler and hassle-free.
These days, you see more and more entrepreneurs gaining their spot in the limelight. In most cases, these entrepreneurs began their journey at a very young age and some even while still in school. While it is still a risk to begin your start-up and studying at the same time, it is also an opportunity that should not be missed if given the privilege.
Taylor's University School of Communication (SOC) student Cheong Bing Tian, 22, said, “I believe it’s a great kick-start to most who want to do things their way and the feel of managing a personal business.”
“It also encourages students to dream big and think out of the box as well as take control of their lives instead of being dependent,” Cheong added.
Cheong started “Boleh Pakai” – a clothing brand of pop culture mixes with a few other friends of the same vision and interest. He finds it is both a struggle and a pleasure to juggle between studies and managing his online business, which is expanding by the day.
“Something about the thrill of having a lot of things to do makes the experience an enjoyable one,” he said.
Besides having to juggle between schoolwork and business, students also get to brush up on their communication and social skills. Initiating your own business while still studying is a win-win situation as you do not just use your time managing your business but you discover and learn new things everyday.
“It is a good exposure and experience for us students. When taking care of a business, I would have to communicate with all kinds of people and it requires a lot of patience and social skills. With that, I am more prepared for the real world”, said SOC student Lau Koyin, 22.
Lau started her own clothing line a year ago because of her love for fashion. Despite not knowing how online businesses worked, what really compelled her to start her own business was when she realized how obsessed her best friend was with online shopping and started learning the tips and tricks of online shopping. As a result, her best friend is now her business partner.
Often students worry about not being able to comply to expectations set by themselves as well as those around them hence they worry they will not be able to meet these expectations.
For Cheong, having a fixed schedule with deadlines and timelines that you abide to is imperative. The balance is what keeps everything at bay.
Lau on the other hand, believes what gives both work and studies a balance is, “Good time management and knowing your priorities but for us students, no matter what studies should always comes first”.
What is more interesting is the fact that International students in TU have also started businesses of their own.
International student Azeem Kathri opened a Pakistani Restaurant named Spicy Kitchen with a family friend in Mont Kiara. Azeem went out of his comfort zone when he started this business, as he knew very little about the food business. However he believed that by starting his own business, it could help him apply what he studies in University and help him prepare himself towards his professional career.
“I believe that students who start their own business will be able to fully flourish the business with the knowledge that they have gained in their studies once they have graduated,” Azeem said.
In order to be able to study and at the same time have the courage to start your own business, support is definitely needed. For Cheong, Lau and Azeem, their parents are fully supportive of what they do – advise and motivational support is also continuously given.
Sometimes, all it takes is for us to get out of our comfort zones in order for us to find things that can excite us. Students often limit themselves to things that are within their control.
Trying something new like starting your own business will definitely be a challenge but something – if it works out – that can produce tremendously amazing results.
Imagine graduating with a degree and an ongoing business already at hand. Just like Cheong said, “Dream big, the sky is not the limit”.
In our current economical state, everyone is struggling to sustain their economic stability. Prices of daily necessities are increasing while monthly income, unfortunately, is still at a constant if not reduced. People are finding ways to expand their source of income. Most of the time the simplest way is to initiate a small start-up.
In this modern age of technology, online businesses are the way to go. Statistics have shown that 91% of online users opt to shop online as it is more convenient, simpler and hassle-free.
These days, you see more and more entrepreneurs gaining their spot in the limelight. In most cases, these entrepreneurs began their journey at a very young age and some even while still in school. While it is still a risk to begin your start-up and studying at the same time, it is also an opportunity that should not be missed if given the privilege.
Taylor's University School of Communication (SOC) student Cheong Bing Tian, 22, said, “I believe it’s a great kick-start to most who want to do things their way and the feel of managing a personal business.”
“It also encourages students to dream big and think out of the box as well as take control of their lives instead of being dependent,” Cheong added.
Cheong started “Boleh Pakai” – a clothing brand of pop culture mixes with a few other friends of the same vision and interest. He finds it is both a struggle and a pleasure to juggle between studies and managing his online business, which is expanding by the day.
“Something about the thrill of having a lot of things to do makes the experience an enjoyable one,” he said.
Besides having to juggle between schoolwork and business, students also get to brush up on their communication and social skills. Initiating your own business while still studying is a win-win situation as you do not just use your time managing your business but you discover and learn new things everyday.
“It is a good exposure and experience for us students. When taking care of a business, I would have to communicate with all kinds of people and it requires a lot of patience and social skills. With that, I am more prepared for the real world”, said SOC student Lau Koyin, 22.
Lau started her own clothing line a year ago because of her love for fashion. Despite not knowing how online businesses worked, what really compelled her to start her own business was when she realized how obsessed her best friend was with online shopping and started learning the tips and tricks of online shopping. As a result, her best friend is now her business partner.
Often students worry about not being able to comply to expectations set by themselves as well as those around them hence they worry they will not be able to meet these expectations.
For Cheong, having a fixed schedule with deadlines and timelines that you abide to is imperative. The balance is what keeps everything at bay.
Lau on the other hand, believes what gives both work and studies a balance is, “Good time management and knowing your priorities but for us students, no matter what studies should always comes first”.
What is more interesting is the fact that International students in TU have also started businesses of their own.
International student Azeem Kathri opened a Pakistani Restaurant named Spicy Kitchen with a family friend in Mont Kiara. Azeem went out of his comfort zone when he started this business, as he knew very little about the food business. However he believed that by starting his own business, it could help him apply what he studies in University and help him prepare himself towards his professional career.
“I believe that students who start their own business will be able to fully flourish the business with the knowledge that they have gained in their studies once they have graduated,” Azeem said.
In order to be able to study and at the same time have the courage to start your own business, support is definitely needed. For Cheong, Lau and Azeem, their parents are fully supportive of what they do – advise and motivational support is also continuously given.
Sometimes, all it takes is for us to get out of our comfort zones in order for us to find things that can excite us. Students often limit themselves to things that are within their control.
Trying something new like starting your own business will definitely be a challenge but something – if it works out – that can produce tremendously amazing results.
Imagine graduating with a degree and an ongoing business already at hand. Just like Cheong said, “Dream big, the sky is not the limit”.