Sabah’s new crop of ‘mompreneurs’ are changing the landscape for all aspiring business owners — especially if you are a stay-at-home mom, torn between devoting your care for your family and chasing after the big dream of entrepreneurship. Thanks to the rise of social media, we can all start our own business empire — starting with that nap-time hobby — and the world, as they say, is our oyster!
Here are three of Sabah’s very own mompreneurs who are proving everyday that your passions have more potential if you let them thrive:
Changgih Designs
https://www.facebook.com/changgihdesigns/photos/a.405482046311556/630304410495984/?type=3&theater
Changgih Designs is the result of two sleepless, passionate moms who dreamed of making cute crafts for their kids during nap time. This thought turned into an idea of capturing pieces of Borneon culture and blending it with present day fashion to design new pieces that celebrate the heritage of Borneo. Because Changgih was founded by two new moms, the founders wanted to give other moms an opportunity to support their families without having to leave their homes, so they decided to produce their items in villages around the Sabah interior division, paying fair wages each time. Changgih Design’s culturally-inspired collections of handbags, wallets, accessories, scarves, and clothing are all made with the utmost attention to detail by artisans in villages all over Sabah. They work with local artisans to come up with designs that are stylish, practical and durable, whilst providing training for new artisans.
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Changgih Designs collection can be found at the AVIIMO home & living concept store, 2-2, 2nd Floor, Suria Sabah Shopping Mall.
Tel: 6012-691 5368
Facebook: @changgihdesigns
Borneo Cocoa Skincare
With the cheeky tagline “happiness on your skin”, former college lecturer-turned-entrepreneur, Nancy Liew founded Borneo Cocoa Skincare With the aim of delivering a range of skincare products that are affordable, safe, all natural and good enough to eat. Founded in 2017, this home-based business banked on using natural Sabah cocoa and coffee products to produce its range of delicious-smelling body scrubs, facial scrubs, lip scrubs and lip balms. According to Nancy, cocoa has been proven to have many amazing health and beauty benefits. This gave her the confidence to launch her own brand of cocoa beauty products, which are fast becoming a favourite amongst local celebrities and makeup artists. For the spunky mother of two, who is one of the many ‘mompreneurs’ on the rise in Sabah, the best beauty products are the ones you can eat. Hence, she had to constantly remind her customers not to eat their lip scrub!
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Borneo Cocoa Skincare Products can be found at the AVIIMO home & living concept store, 2-2, 2nd Floor, Suria Sabah Shopping Mall.
Tel: 6019-589 4930 (Nancy)
Facebook: @borneococoaskincraft
Kandila by Tess
https://www.facebook.com/kandilabytess/photos/a.1151545204957073/2153900654721518/?type=3&theater
Kandila by Tess is a small-scale home-based business which started in 2010. Founded by Maritess Totu-Lee, who is an architect by day, their humble beginning took off when Tess started crafting a customised baptism candle for one of her nieces, as well as a personalized gift favour for Tess’ late sister’s first anniversary memorial mass. From then, Kandila by Tess started creating custom wedding anniversary and baptism candles for families and friends — until word got around and they became a growing business. Today, Kandila by Tess also crafts made-to-order scented candles as well as quirky-themed candles for festivities and special occasions. According to Tess, personalized candles bring a sense of attachment, belonging and remembrance to the owner. We were drawn in creating that connection between the subject and the element together. Kandila by Tess will be coming up with limited Christmas edition scented candles and welcomes personalized candle orders as a gift for loved ones for this coming December 2018.
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Kandila by Tess candles can be purchased at the Jesselton Artisan Market, at Riverson – The Walk, Kota Kinabalu Sabah. For details on future events, please visit their Facebook page @jesseltonartisanmarket.
Tel: 6016-834 7109 (Tess)
Facebook: @kandilabytess.
