Stitching Dreams: From Adversity to Entrepreneurial Success Fourteen years ago, Mah Ali began her tailoring venture in the quiet town of Sungai Udang, Melaka. As a breast cancer survivor and mother of three, Mah’s story is one of resilience and determination. She started with a single sewing machine purchased using her savings and gradually built her business, MA Jarum Emas, into a trusted name in the community. Stitch by stitch, her small enterprise grew, providing her livelihood and enabling her to give back to society. Over the years, Mah trained and mentored four budding entrepreneurs, passing on her skills and creating opportunities for others. Mah’s dreams took a significant leap when she learned about the Bank Islam’s iTEKAD Microfinancing Programme (iTEKAD) BangKIT through the Kumpulan Usahawan Asnaf Melaka. Having never received financial aid for her business, she was overjoyed when she was awarded this financial support. The funding was a stepping stone for Mah to transform her small tailoring shop into a one-stop tailoring centre. “Managing this business has never been easy, especially during the pandemic when customer numbers dwindled significantly. However, my battle with cancer and overcoming the challenges have taught me to never give up, even on the toughest days. I applied the same mindset to my business. Each obstacle made me more determined and enabled me to learn and grow,” said Mah. Through iTEKAD’s financing support, Mah invested in an embroidery machine, enabling her to offer services such as name and logo embroidery and accessories for official uniforms. The new capability facilitated MA Jarum Emas to expand its market and customer base including the armed forces. “Bank Islam’s advisory and financing assistance has opened doors for me. Now, with better equipment and steady demand, I am achieving something I could only dream of. Alhamdulillah, my small business is growing and I am creating a better life for my family,” she adds. Mah’s journey exemplifies how iTEKAD catalyses entrepreneurial efforts, fosters empowerment, and drives community and economic growth. 83 w w w . b a n k i s l a m. c o m 01 02 03 04 MD&A – STRATEGIC REVIEW 05 06 07 08 09
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