No one can buy experience

"THE first three months of the business, I had no money," says Bahrumnuddin Jaili, 26, who runs Rock Paper Scissor Enterprise at The Mall with business partner Naqiyah Dato Isaaq, 23.

"I had to sell things at a cheaper price to introduce my potential customers to me and my shop. Up to six months, I was not making as much as I was earning in my previous job," says Bahrum who worked as a financial consultant at one of Brunei's banks before venturing into the business world.

"A lot of people were commenting at what I was doing, taking the risk, losing a job and starting my own business. But it is my rice bowl now and I worked for it," he recalls.

Bahrum got the inspiration to take the plunge in business during one of his travels to Thailand and Japan to compete in in-line skating. There he met young budding entrepreneurs.

"It really motivated me, these guys were young, had money, had their own brand," he says.

Bahrum started off with a tight capital he had saved for two years during his working days at the bank. The first six months were a struggle, but with good marketing strategies, he managed to pull through.

When he started he also surveyed other similar shops, their products and prices.

"I do not want my products to clash with what they sell here. I wanted my products to be different," he emphasises.

"I was new to the business world then, I was faced with difficulties such as the immigration tax at the airports when I brought in my new products, learning the language of my suppliers. I had to learn, but now I am here," he adds.

After about three months of opening sales offering discount price, he increased the prices slightly.

"They noticed straightaway of my change in price but with good customer service and good products, I found that they wouldn't mind paying an extra $3," he says.

It also helped that he had prior experience in customer service from his previous work as a financial consultant.

"I did have the knowledge of customer services and how to close deals as well as marketing strategies."

Establishing a relationship with customers helped in creating a regular customer base.

"I ask for their contact details, keep them updated with my products, ask for feedback from them on my products, give them the best customer service."

He also has working experience in operating a retail franchise shop from Jakarta, which opened in Brunei, selling branded surf clothing. He stresses that getting experience and exposure in a business environment in any area you would like to venture in is important.

"I worked at City Surf Sdn Bhd as a senior supervisor, me and the boss carried out research to test the market, it was unsuccessful," he recalls.

Brunei may be a small market "but I think with good marketing strategies you can cope with it", he adds.

Bahrum now looks forward to the daily first-sale-of-the-day.

"When I come in the morning, the first sale will determine my day, everything usually flows naturally after the first sale. Since I have moved to this floor, I have not encountered zero sales."

Before moving to the second floor of The Mall he was occupying a corner of a friend's business on the top floor of the mall in Gadong.

The shirts, clothing, shoes and accessories he sells are from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Taipei and Singapore.

"My shirt dealers in Bangkok, Malaysia and Singapore update their designs every week. I bring in only very few of each design," he adds.

Bahrum and Naqiyah get busy every payday season when they are able to earn four times their usual.

"Having a partner comes very handy, when either me or her go travel there is someone to look after the shop. We both can also pick clothing for both men and women," he says.

Partner Naqiyah is currently in China to survey goods.

His shop sells mostly t-shirts for both men and women, fancy cardigans and accessories with a 'retro' or 'old school' feel to it. Bahrum is currently moving towards the 'Indie' look as well as the young professional sharp look for work.

Bahrum says entrepreneurial awareness among the young in Brunei is low.

"They are not willing to take the risk, they tend to just want to lead an easy life earning a fixed monthly income, especially those with high education background."

"I do not have a fancy education background and I can work at the bank earning $1,500, but it does not give me much satisfaction," he adds.

His advice to those with entrepreneurial ambitions to gain the working experience in whatever business area that interests them, to gain know-how.

"For capital, you can apply or get a loan and the naturally born rich will have the money to start.

"But no one can buy experience," says Bahrum.

The Brunei Times