Merdeka or Independence Day celebration this year will be even more meaningful for two Malaysian MSMEs that emerged as the Grand Prize winners of Lazada Malaysia’s Gayamu, Caramu (GMCM) Contest 2023. The contest was open to local entrepreneurs onboarded on Lazada under the fashion category, selling clothing assortment and accessories on Lazada’s Marketplace.
The Grand Prize winners were two new online stores on Lazada – Hasbella and Studio 623 and each of them received cash prizes of RM20,000, as well as RM1,000 worth of Lazada Sponsored Solution (LSS) advertising credit, Free Shipping Maximum (FSMax) subsidy for one month, along with one-month free access to the Customer Engagement Management (CEM) tool, exclusive traffic and exposure for new sellers on Lazada app, new products uploading assistance and hands-on support from Lazada University.
The founders of Hasbella are an Ipoh-based dynamic husband and wife duo – Hassaidi Hamid, formerly an engineer and Sashabila Iberahim, a PhD graduate and previously an engineering lecturer. When the pandemic hit, they made a life-changing decision to take advantage of digital commerce and explore selling goods online. When they heard about the GMCM Contest earlier this year, they decided that it was the perfect time and a golden opportunity to enter the contest upon registering as a Lazada seller, they decided to make the most of it and started selling kids’ clothing and Muslimah wear, including headscarves and accessories.
“Winning the Grand Prize is a validation of our resilience and tremendous hard work. We started out as a home-based micro business and now we have our own warehousing facility, along with a team of staff to run the operation. Our focus and business model are 100 per cent eCommerce and we are grateful that ‘Hasbella’ – our online store on Lazada – is thriving and continues to grow. Our secret to success is identifying the right products for the target market, and offering them at an affordable price point that would intrigue the customers to come back again and again. Moreover, we leverage Lazada’s Mega campaigns and tactical sales to reach out to a wider customer base all over the country,” said Hassaidi.
According to Studio 623 co-owner, Bosco Low, “Our strategy is to focus on in-demand streetwear and casual apparel, offered at jaw-dropping prices as low as RM8.90 and various assortments below RM20. A majority of our customers are male; however, we are delighted to discover that many female customers are also buying products from our online store, especially hoodies, jackets and oversized t-shirts. This goes to show that any online store on a user-friendly eCommerce platform like Lazada is accessible to everyone, all across the country.
“For us, this is a massive advantage and an opportunity that we will continue to maximise. Although online business comes with its own set of challenges, my fellow co-founder and business partner and I are determined to keep going and find ways to be more profitable. The success of other Lazada sellers have also inspired us and we know that if they can do it, so can we – Malaysia Boleh!”
Both Bosco Low and Studio 623 eCommerce Manager, Aiman Faiz have been online shopping enthusiasts, and that encouraged them to make the digital leap and start their online business on Lazada, as they realised that digitalisation is the key to success for micro businesses. Their insight into consumer behaviour, the type of products that customers are commonly looking for and consistent effort in finding the right supplier across Asia, have contributed to their success.
For a spark of inspiration and to discover more about Malaysia Boleh! MSMEs and local entrepreneurs who have taken the digital leap and built their online business with Lazada, check out the successful seller stories on the Sell With Lazada microsite. Also, watch this video to find out more about the winners of Gayamu, Caramu Contest and the story behind the journey.
Malaysian MSMEs and local entrepreneurs who are interested to start selling on Lazada can easily sign up and enjoy the Marketplace seller benefits under Lazada Malaysia New Seller Package (NSP) 2023. Various e-learning materials, workshops and value-added content are also easily accessible for free on Lazada University website, including week-by-week ‘New Seller Guide’ live steam, ways to ‘Fulfill Orders like a Pro’, how to unlock Milestone Rewards, ‘Deep Dive Into Your Business Data’, and many more. Sellers may also join the Lazada MY Seller Community on Facebook, and follow Sell with Lazada MY – YouTube, Sell with Lazada MY – Facebook, Sell with Lazada MY – TikTok, and Lazada University MY – Instagram.
Source: Lazada Malaysia
