This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on June 27, 2022 - July 3, 2022

Founder/CEO, Aerodyne

EOY 2020 Malaysia

1. Tell us about your experience being part of the EOY programme.

Winning EY Entrepreneur of The Year 2020 and the technology category as well was a really unexpected surprise. I didn’t know who nominated me, and went into the programme feeling nervous and anxious.

I am a highly competitive person and normally wouldn’t enter anything unless I’m ready and have a fair chance of winning! I quickly googled and looked at the past winners.

I felt really challenged and asked myself, “Am I ready for this? Should I wait a few more years?” Turns out it was a very thought-provoking and inspirational journey!

2. What did you uncover about your own journey as an entrepreneur through the process?

It reaffirmed my belief that purposeful and authentic leadership is fundamental to success. This is the ‘North Star’ to guide us through turbulent times.

My journey was rough and it was through sheer grit and determination that we were able to solve so many challenges along the way. And every time we close the chapter on a major challenge, we rise to the next level. Purposeful leadership attracts like-minded talents and that adds to the core strength. Clarity of vision is where we are going and mission is the how-to. I learnt how others went through the same thing.

3. How do you feel Malaysian enterprise owners will benefit from being part of this annual initiative?

Going through this programme gives a refreshing perspective — not just while preparing the data set needed, but also through the various interviews and sharing. It inspires you to look into the purpose and structure of your organisation and yourself as an entrepreneur.

It was an inspirational journey for me to learn about others, too. The questions that are asked during the judging process and the traits that are celebrated provide a good self-reflection for anyone’s entrepreneurial journey. There is plenty to learn. And the validation you get is something you will cherish for a lifetime.

CEO, Asia Pacific University of Innovation & Technology

EOY 2021 Malaysia

1. Tell us about your experience being part of the EOY programme.

It is gratifying to belong to a select group of achievers when one is shortlisted and selected to participate in this prestigious annual EOY programme. Although initially daunting due to the multiple stages of the assessment process, I felt that the stringent shortlisting criteria and intensive interviews by local and global industry peers and previous award winners are a testimony to the rigour and high standards of the EOY Award programme. Being selected in the Master Category and representing Malaysia as the overall Malaysian Award winner was truly a double honour that I least expected.

2. What did you uncover about your own journey as an entrepreneur through the process?

The award process affirmed my view that determination, drive and tenacity helped me (with the aid of my team) pull through several challenges to become what we are today — a leading technology university with more than 12,000 students, including students from over 130 countries around the world.

Learning about the entrepreneurial journey and successes of other entrepreneurs provided a checkpoint for my own journey. I endured challenges in my entrepreneurial journey, no different from other entrepreneurs, particularly during the economic and business crises of the past. And being selected to represent Malaysia at the World EOY event in Monaco was truly an honour which is a capstone to my entrepreneurial journey.

3. How do you feel Malaysian enterprise owners will benefit from being part of this annual initiative?

The EOY programme is an ideal platform for entrepreneurs to benchmark themselves among global industry icons. Why not let your peers tell you how you have fared all along your entrepreneurial journey through their input, both in a local and global context?

Knowing your peers through networking opens up a world of knowledge and opportunities that you may not be aware was possible before. Connecting and networking with your entrepreneurial peers is inspirational. It is also an opportunity to reflect on one’s own entrepreneurial journey and reaffirm the initial intent and purpose, and how it may have benefited the community and country.

Founder/Group Managing Director, Hyrax Oil Sdn Bhd

Woman EOY 2002 Malaysia

1. Tell us about your experience being part of the EOY programme.

Based on my personal experience as Woman Entrepreneur of the Year back in 2002, or even today as one of the judges since 2005, I can tell you the programme has given me excellent credentials, which are recognised globally, and opened up so many doors for me to enhance my career, expand my business network and be connected with business leads.

It also helped to sharpen my entrepreneurial skills, from being innovative to risk-taking and being market savvy, and owning and managing a business.

2. What did you uncover about your own journey as an entrepreneur through the process?

My focus on my early entrepreneurial journey led to just me and my business well-being. This was a lonely experience and it didn’t help my business grow as fast as I expected. I’ve since changed and now continually make time for others. I look for opportunities to assist people and serve. This not only makes me feel better about myself but helps my business, too. Through goodwill, more businesses and people are drawn to you when you help them.

3. How do you feel Malaysian enterprise owners will benefit from being part of this annual initiative?

It is widely accepted that entrepreneurship is a driver of innovation and the economic growth of a nation. Therefore, this EOY programme which is actively promoting entrepreneurship as a way of accelerating economic development will definitely encourage Malaysian enterprise owners to be more innovative, adaptable to market and technological changes, which in turn will give them the opportunity to grow personally and become all-round professionals in the business arena of tomorrow.

CEO, Karex

EOY 2016

1. Tell us about your experience being part of the EOY programme.

It was an honour to be nominated as Malaysia’s representative at the global EOY gathering in Monte Carlo. I have since continued my involvement with the programme as a mentor and judge, where I have had the privilege of selecting winners and passing on my experience to nominees of this storied award.

2. What did you uncover about your own journey as an entrepreneur through the process?

Listening to how other entrepreneurs were able to overcome their respective challenges faced in building their businesses always gave me ideas about how to improve our business at Karex. Although each entrepreneur’s journey is unique, passion and innovation were always common themes. It reminds me that my journey as an entrepreneur is just beginning and that I still have many more ideas and a long way to go in evolving as a leader.

3. How do you feel Malaysian enterprise owners will benefit from being part of this annual initiative?

Everybody who participates in this programme stands to benefit from the opportunity to speak and interact with different business owners from around the world. Understanding how different cultures and ideas drive solutions to problems definitely helped us to further push the culture of innovation within our organisation. Moreover, it is a unique opportunity to present the success and business savvy of Malaysian entrepreneurs to the rest of the world.

We spoke to executive director, APEC Secretariat and long-time judge of EOY Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Sta Maria, on how she feels being part of the initiative. She describes it as a rewarding and enlightening experience.

“You are given the opportunity to interact directly with the entrepreneurs to hear their stories, learn of their journey and challenges. You see how your work intersects with theirs and how, as a policymaker, your decisions affect their work, their lives. You have the opportunity to take the information and make better informed decisions,” she says.

During her time as a judge, Sta Maria has also learnt a lot about the tenacity and grit of Malaysian entrepreneurs.

“They are a resilient lot,” she says. “Theirs is a journey fraught with challenges from various levels, from personal to structural, from access to capital and skills to navigating policies and regulations, from challenges at the national level to regional and international. Still, they persevere and push on. It might not be obvious to them, but they play a major role in keeping the economy going.”

As such, she says, all eligible entrepreneurs will benefit from being part of this comprehensive and unique programme.

“They get an opportunity to tell their story, to be in the national eye. The exposure and interaction with other entrepreneurs help in expanding their own network and learning as they grow their business.”

The Edge is the media partner of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Malaysia 2022

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