From pitching tents to peddling fish

KUALA LUMPUR: Sani Shamsuddin’s canopy rental business, which he established seven years ago, took a beating after restrictions were imposed on gatherings and functions early last year to stem the transmission of the Covid-19 virus.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity, the 35year-old entrepreneur set his mind on exploring new business opportunities.

A chance encounter with a friend, who had taken to selling fresh fish after being forced to give up his catering business due to the pandemic, inspired Sani to tread in his pal’s footsteps.

Having embarked on his fish retail enterprise last October, he is now able to sell up to 500kg of fish a day.

He even opened a mini-market called Sani Freshmart in Section 7, Shah Alam where he sells a variety of fish, seafood and vegetables at reasonable prices.

“My decision to go into this business was sudden… initially, I had to take my father with me to buy fish supplies from the jetty at Sekinchan (a fishing village in Kuala Selangor, Selangor) as I wasn’t familiar with the different types of fish.”

Since he did not have a shop or site to market the fish then, he sold it to the people staying near his parents’ house in Shah Alam.

The encouraging response he received motivated him to learn the ins and outs of the fish retail business.

He said he plied his trade from his lorry by the roadside in Shah Alam for a few months before opening his mini-market.

Although he was treading on unfamiliar territory, Sani succeeded in adapting himself to the new business routine.

“If you think it’s hard to start a new venture, then go and learn. Don’t be lazy and fearful because whatever it is you do, it will yield results,” he added.