A flair for mixing and blending
INTAN Shafinaz Halim certainly never thought that her struggles with dry and chapped lips would lead her to start a business.
When she was pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance degree at Warwick University in Britain years ago, the cold weather was harsh on her lips.
The 44-year-old businesswoman used to visit local markets selling artisanal products to buy lip balms to protect her lips from the cold.
But she only thought of making her own remedy when a friend introduced her to essential oils about three years ago. As she wanted to share its benefits with her family and friends, she made a lip balm with peppermint essential oil. It was her first successful foray into creating her own products. “It was very exciting and I was so proud of myself,” she recalls.
It piqued her interest in formulating her own recipes and making her own remedies.
She jokingly adds that she might have inherited this natural flair for mixing her own concoctions from her paternal great-grandmother who was a well-known apothecarist in her kampung in Perlis.
Intan has diligently honed her intuitive knowledge by learning as much as she could about the different health benefits of natural ingredients.
Instead of attending classes on how to make skincare products at home, Intan relies on her resourcefulness and scours the Internet for recipes and ideas.
“Information on the Internet is easily accessible and there’s so much to learn. Being in this community with other artisans is an enriching experience, and I treat what I am doing as a learning curve,” says Intan who shares her products with family and friends to get their feedback.
Positive response encouraged Intan to start thinking seriously of selling her homemade remedies to a bigger audience. In February 2015, she established Serasi.
With the encouragement of a good friend, Intan participated in a bazaar two months later to test the market. The feedback she received inspired and motivated her to continue building her Serasi brand.
Despite juggling a full-time job heading a Human Resources and Accounts department and being a mother of three, Intan is still passionate about developing Serasi.
She believes there are customers who could benefit from her handmade products, made with “honest, raw ingredients.”
Intan also hopes to promote the benefits and goodness of these natural, chemical-free ingredients.
Serasi’s products are made from local ingredients as well as those she buys from abroad, such as unrefined shea butter from Ghana and calendula and lavender from the United States.
Eventually Intan hopes to focus fully on her newfound passion, and encourages other women to start their own projects and turning it into businesses.
“Age is just a number! I say go for it, with lots of love, passion and enthusiasm.
“Ideas are endless, you can do anything!” she concludes.