A blessing for entrepreneur who embraced change

KUALA BERANG: “It does us no good whatsoever to complain or be bitter when things are not going our way. We only waste precious energy, if we resist, get angry and give in to grief over all that we have lost,” said entrepreneur Mohd Rizduan Mat Lela.

Mohd Ridzuan, 31, and his friend Saiful Hakim Rozmi, 26, learned that the hard way when their wedding planner business suffered after the Movement Control Order was imposed to curb the spread of Covid19 infection.

The business partners, both from Felda Jerangau Barat, Ajil, Terengganu, were faced with financial constraints when most of their clients had to cancel their bookings for wedding functions which had been scheduled from March to December.

“When the MCO was announced in March, our world crumbled. Over 30 of our customers called to cancel their booking for wedding decorations and bridal outfits.

“We had to bear losses of RM2,000 to RM3,000 per customer for the bridal outfits as these were specially tailored.

“Of course we felt down in the dumps when our savings had depleted. We have our personal commitments too and we had to save our money on food,” Mohd Ridzuan told Bernama when contacted.

Not wanting to give up, Mohd Rizduan, who also had an interest in the world of culinary arts, decided to venture into the marinated mutton business in April, as a new source of income.

“I had always enjoyed cooking and in my younger days I used to bake and sell cakes.

“I got this idea of selling marinated mutton after my friends and I ate grilled mutton at a stall which we found was way to expensive. The servings were not worth the price,” he added.

“As the dish is a favourite among many, I decided to make it affordable for everyone,” Mohd Ridzuan said adding that he sells the marinated mutton at RM40 per kilogramme.

To make the marinated mutton tender and tastier, Mohd Rizduan said he has his own concoction of ingredients including several types of sauces and spices.

He now sells and promotes his products via social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, catering and delivering the products to customers from Dungun, Kuala Trengganu, Marang, Hulu Terengganu and Kemaman.

“At times, change comes bearing gifts. In a way the MCO had been a blessing. Customers who miss eating lamb chops in restaurants are now turning to marinated lamb chops to enjoy them at home with their family, as many still choose to stay home despite the recovery movement control order.

“Following the MCO we need to play by the new rules, position ourselves right, and take personal responsibility for our future,” he said adding that 15kg of marinated mutton were sold daily.

When more restrictions are lifted, Mohd Ridzuan said, he might go back to his wedding planning business and sell marinated mutton as a side income.