Small Capital No Barrier for Shamsiah in Building F&B Empire

Shamsiah Shaikh Husin has transformed a modest passion for food and a small initial investment into a thriving food and beverage empire over the past 15 years. Her company, Star Mealz Sdn. Bhd., now spans food production, supply, and catering, demonstrating significant growth from its humble beginnings.

Initially focusing on producing traditional pastries, cakes, and bread, Shamsiah identified a strong demand for traditional kuih as a key opportunity. This led to a gradual expansion, with Star Mealz now actively involved in food supply, product manufacturing, and catering services. She also continues to develop her Rumah Pastry brand, which specializes in baked goods and traditional pastries, recently securing halal certification.

Reflecting on her journey, Shamsiah attributes her success not only to her passion for food but also to a strong desire to elevate traditional Malaysian pastries, ensuring they remain appreciated by current generations. She also acknowledges the crucial support from her staff, family, and customers as vital drivers of her business's expansion.

However, the path has not been without its hurdles. Shamsiah has navigated intense industry competition, rising raw material costs, workforce management, and the complex process of obtaining halal certification. These challenges were particularly acute in the early stages when the business relied on limited personal funds and semi-manual production processes. "At the initial stage, we had our own capital and the amount was limited. So, we had to expand the business gradually according to our capabilities," she stated.

To overcome these obstacles, Shamsiah focused on streamlining management systems, ensuring halal compliance, and enhancing product quality. The halal certification process demanded thorough documentation, procedural adherence, and consistent operational control. "Halal certification requires comprehensive compliance in operations. After obtaining it, we received better support from hotels and food industry players," she noted. This certification has boosted customer and business partner confidence, opening doors for market expansion.