Couple finds success in soya-based products
From running a small business from their home kitchen in Pasir Gudang, a couple here are now proud owners of soya-based products that are available in several districts in Johor.
Noraini Ismail, 36, and her husband Mohd Fazri Mohd Saimi, 36, started off by selling soybean drinks and tau foo fah when Fazri, who worked at the port in Pasir Gudang, was offered a voluntary separation scheme (VSS) by his employer in 2011.
“At that time, the world felt dark for a while. We had only been married for three months,” she said.
Their small-and-medium enterprise (SME) now includes soya-based products and a food truck, jointly owned by the FN Maju Enterprise label.
It was launched yesterday by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the member of parliament for Pagoh.
With some money from the VSS payout, Noraini said she and her husband bought a soybean processing machine and attended courses offered by the Air Hitam Agriculture Office.
“Initially, I was nervous. I had no prior experience in running a business. With the guidance of the Air Hitam Agriculture Office at that time, our business took off. After more than a year of operating from home in Pasir Gudang, we decided to move to Felcra Bukit Kepong to expand the business, as my husband is a son of a (Felcra) settler.”
The couple received guidance and financial assistance from various government agencies, such as the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation.
Now, apart from selling soybean drinks and naturalflavoured tau foo fah, their company also markets tau foo fah with honeydew melon, strawberry and banana flavours as well as ice-blended soya. Next, they plan to market their dried tofu
(fuchuk), tofu pieces and cincau. The couple now has seven agents in several districts in the state, including Johor Baru, Muar, Batu Pahat and Kluang.
Their products are sold at farmers’ markets and food truck sites, as well as through direct deliveries.