Passion for baking leads to successful business
KUALA LUMPUR: A passion for baking 24 years ago has grown into a multimillionringgit export business for 55yearold Johorean Yo Bee Kiow whose cookies are now enjoyed in about 20 countries.
Born in Kundang, Muar, she started baking from young after being influenced by her father who was a good cook.
“I sold my first batch of cakes when I was 18. Then, in 1992, I decided to open a factory in Ledang, Johor, to export traditional Chinese peanut cookies to Hong Kong,” she said.
She was attending an SME dialogue session at the Secretariat for the Advancement of Malaysian Entrepreneurs, in Wisma MCA here yesterday.
Yo, who is founder and managing director of Ever Delicious Food Industries Sdn Bhd, said her business grew and her “Just Cookies” brand was now selling in Asean countries, China, Taiwan and the Middle East.
“I wanted to open a second factory and was introduced to the Chinese SME Entrepreneur Fund, managed by MCA’s Kojadi, last June.
“It was from this fund that I was able to get a loan to help set up my new factory in Telok Mas, Malacca,” she said.
She employs 180 workers and hopes to export her cookies to more countries, including India.
Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said that RM67.45mil had been disbursed to 345 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) since the entrepreneur fund was launched by the Prime Minister in June last year.
“Almost 100% of them said the loans had helped with cash flow to cushion the impact of the Goods and Services Tax which was implemented last April, and with expanding their businesses,” he said.
Dr Wee, who is in charge of SME affairs, was speaking at a press conference after the dialogue session that was attended by 16 SMEs.