By Izzud deen Redzuan
Balancing grade and other commitment can be quite difficult when youre studying and doing other things at the same time in the university. Yet, many students have started to run business as well while studying.
The obvious reason is either they want to make some extra money or just because they want to develop entrepreneurial skills that would be valuable and beneficial for future career.
However, some entrepreneurs may learn the hard way. They have to run a small business just because they are facing financial problems such as without scholarships or financial support from family.
How do they get started? They said they got fund raised from family members, friends or received a loan. People will be pleased to help you when they know that you would refund the money borrowed sooner or later.
The other benefits are, if the business becomes successful, you might find you dont need to look for a job when you graduate and even if you do, youll have a source of income while youre on job-hunting.
What should you do if you really decide to start a business? Here are some useful tips and guidelines:
- Think about your skills. If you can repair computers or phones, or youre good at arts or crafts, or youre excellent chef or  good at baking cake, thats a good starting point.
- Risk is an important part of business and dont be afraid to fail.
- Seeks a business partner. Sharing the workload will help you to get more done, probably quicker, too.
- Avoid pouring your student loan into an idea that might not work out. Thats the worst.
- Find your customers and make networks. If youre selling things, you could use social networking like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If youre offering a delivery service (a taxi), then you must have transport! A car. Printing service is also a good business, as photocopy shops in IIUM are quite a distance from Mahallah.
- Keep a careful record of the money you take and spend on your business. Otherwise, you may run a business without giving you any profit at all.
- Running a business and keeping up with your studies, this combination will be exhausting. Understand your limits and stop the business for a while especially during study weeks and examination period.
- Bear in mind, study would always be the priority!
Still wondering what business you should do? None, seriously! Let me trigger some more for you, how about building a website, translate a document, be a photographer, do tutoring and a computer trainer (e.g. Adobe Photoshop or Vegas Pro).
The Joker once said in Batman: The Dark Knight 2008,”If you’re good at something, never do it for free.
Here are some examples showing successful young entrepreneurs among students of IIUM. Let’ pray that their business is going to take off and be sustained. And they, being truthful in doing business.
1. Projek Mata Ikan
Owner of instagram shop is Sister Fatimah Az-Zahra Mohamad Sukri from Taiping, Perak. She is selling Monopod, Lens 3in1, Shutter and Custom Casing at affordable prices. Now, shes studying under Sociology and Anthropology Department and she lives in Mahallah Asiah.
œI started business with a capital of about RM300, then I gradually increased the stocks and reached about RM1000. However, the business has stopped for a while until next semester since my grandfather passed away and I needed to keep my grandmother accompanied, Fatimah said during an interview. May Allah give her rewards and blessings.
2. The Precious Pumpkins
An instagram shop run by Sister Nor Hidayah Razali from Kuliyyah of Education and her cousin.
œWe started our business by selling scarfs and dresses “with capital of around RM1000-RM1500. Gradually, we expanded our wings and started to sell phone accessories like Lens 3in1, and phone covers. We also sell products from United Kingdom since my cousin is studying there. Â Now, Alhamdulillah we have achieved our target in which we got five times more from the capital. Nor Hidayah said.
Currently, Lens 3in1 is on sale in lowest price. Clearance stock guys!
3. Mochiochi
Managed by a beautiful sister from the Department of Communication, Siti Zulaikha Shawaludin, this instagram shop is still new and keeps growing. Sells bath and body hand sanitiser and its holder all the way from Los Angeles. LA peeps, dont miss it. The hand sanitizer comes with variety of fragrances.
I started with a fund of RM1000 and the targeted customers are IIUM students. Surprisingly, I also received feedback from Borneo which is good. Thanks to friends who are posting a review of products on social networking sites.
It’s not only about being hygiene but some students bought this hand sanitiser because they are attracted by the cute packaging and lovely scents. Coming out soon, products will be updated with new scents and new sanitiser holders with special promotion.
4. Dxtrict_22
It’s a class business run by Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Designs students. Nur Farah Ahmad and her 19 classmates started this business for purpose of studying. They share their creativity to collect funds for heritage subject. For a start, each of classmates will contribute RM10 (RM200 in totals) to run this business.
‘Totebag has now become trendy among students due to its easy to carry around and flexible. To add, their customers are pleased with the designs and services. If they receive plenty of orders, they will gather for a day to settle their sale and finish it within that day. Therefore, it wont disturb their studies. Good work guys!
‘Superheroes’ is currently the newest design. The design can be either custom-made or fixed. The prices are also affordable at around RM15 to RM35. Find them on Instagram now!
5. Goshsuperblicious
Inspired by Ilham Natira Md Jefri. Shes a Political Science student and lives in Mahallah Hafsah.
Peanuts Lip balms and Hersheys chocolate. Its a great combo for girls and its original from USA. With RM800 for starter, the business is grow gradually and the lip balms come with a variety of flavours. Some of the lip balms are specific for certain age and its surely sweet. Grab it now while stock lasts! The prices are from RM5-RM20++.
6. Transporter
A cab service for IIUM students particularly and its run by Wan Amir Amirul, a Political Science student.
Transportation service is around IIUM campus and up to KLIA using Proton Waja. This service is only available during long semester because he usually works part-time during short semester. He lives in Mahallah Bilal and Kuala Lumpur.
For some locations, the fare is even cheaper than taking a normal taxi. Its your freedom to choose and the prices are as above.
7. Laptop Services
Very popular these days. Many of us save our important data or assignment in the laptop or notebook but when problems occur its a nightmare to the students and the worst ever happen to them.
In some cases, they need to ˜format the laptop because of virus attack. Some need to change the keyboard, some need to replace LCD and many more. This errors cant be done by anyone especially us, who’s only know to start and shut down the laptop.
Brother Mohamad Hamzi Zaini is famous among students of IIUM and his service is well received by others. The price is reasonable and its done within a maximum of two hours.
It’s good to start your business now and having experience in business can help you become a successful manager one day. Always remember that a successful business nowadays starts small.
The choice is yours. Good luck and thank you for reading.
Photo taken from Republika