Blurb from the author: I've heard of social enterprises that use and train the B40, be it through barista training or crafts, but this was the first time I've heard of a company that did this by sewing. I was curious about how it all started and how it empowers B40 women and had to look for answers.
In mid-2018, Sue Yii managed her first startup called Royale Demure, a platform that essentially functions like a fashion production house and helps crowdfunding designers to launch their fashion lines.
But then she came across an operational problem with the platform. Many manufacturers work with a minimum order quantity, but Royal Demure designers didn't need such large orders.
So she found independent tailors who could sew small, large orders, and somehow the news of this job opportunity spread.
Finally there was
a group of women from the B40 community who wanted to do more jobs from
Royale Demure, but there wasn't enough demand to go around.
Photo credit: Komuniti Tukang Jahit
Given this gap, Sue Yii then introduced a new range of products that would require larger bulk orders, which in turn would offer these women more job opportunities.
Then Komuniti Tukang Jahit (KTJ) was founded, a social enterprise to build, strengthen and create jobs for this sewing community of B40 women.
“By designing and designing
KTJ would be able to help these homemade gifts
Tailors earn a more lucrative extra income while they take care of the house and
Children, ”she said to Vulcan Post.
Appreciation for
your work
Sue Yii doesn't do both
Startups alone; Teck Hooi joined her shortly after her start and gave him his
Experience in the fashion industry at KTJ to strengthen his business and
Supply chain.
He is also a qualified one
Accountant, so he takes care of KTJ's finances and business strategies
also.
Photo credit: Komuniti Tukang Jahit
I remember the early ones
Days ago Sue Yii said her tailors only sewed clothing designs, which was not the case
as fast-moving sales items that flew off the shelves.
But when the demand started
Decrease and supply began to increase, she knew that they had to do something. "In particular
When we found out what we were actually doing, it was called “impact development”. "
She added.
Today KTJ is accredited
Social enterprise recognized by the Ministry of Entrepreneurship Development
& Corporations, Malaysia as a unit to empower single women to stay at home
Mothers, single mothers and disadvantaged women.
"That will allow us
Contact larger companies as they see accreditation as confirmation of
our work, and we can provide products / services in a trustworthy manner, ”said Sue Yii
said.
Innovation is a constant
KTJ has expanded since then
its offerings and now classifies its products under the gift industry.
Photo credit: Komuniti Tukang Jahit
Corporate gifts, tourist souvenirs, makeup holders, household decorations, duffle bags, premium bows, ties – you name it, and KTJ can probably sew it.
The list goes on and on
Sue Yii even said, “As long as it can be sewn, we'll do it
Challenge to produce it or to innovate into a whole new product for ours
Customers. We redesign products, redevelop them and adapt them to our customers. "
Needs and brand direction. "
KTJ provides the B40 women with materials and Sue Yii and Hasnaa (Operations Manager) overlook design and product innovation, but the tailors are still actively trained to be R&D specialists.
Photo credit: Komuniti Tukang Jahit
"As beneficiaries, we empower them to be part of the team," said Sue Yii.
"We also have a reward
based system where, when your product is selected to be reproduced by our customers,
The tailors would receive a commission and fee to train other members to sew
and take the order together. "
An example of this was
during the past Chinese New Year when one of their tailors, Kak Haida,
decided to use some of their fabrics to create an Ang Pao bag that
could be used in 3 ways.
Photo credit: Komuniti Tukang Jahit
KTJ received an order for 700 pieces in less than 3 days, while production took only 1 week.
"This order alone
managed to create jobs for 7 tailors and Kak Haida was instant
rewarded as head coach for this project. She also received a commission for
your efforts, ”said Sue Yii.
The cost of social
responsibility
In addition to the reward
KTJ ensures that 30% of their sales go to the B40 tailors
Wages regardless of the different profit margins of each product whose price is
decided by Teck Hooi.
by the way
Sue Yii pointed out that this is one of her biggest challenges.
"If we approach the potential
Customers, some of them will compare our products with imported premium gifts (e.g.
like from China), and our products will never be able to compete with yours
Costs."
Photo credit: Komuniti Tukang Jahit
Their solution was to simply educate them about the social impact KTJ is causing and hope that these companies consider buying from them as a socially responsible thing.
Companies with CSR funds can now use their funds to create employment opportunities, and in return receive corporate gifts made exclusively for their customers.
Yap Sue Yii, co-founder of Komuniti Tukang Jahit.
"The ability to share
Their good story and their CSR efforts are also evident in the product giveaway itself.
and the story card that comes with the product, ”added Sue Yii.
KTJ plans to add a touch of personalization in the future as well, adding the names and faces of the tailors behind each sewn item to give them a sense of ownership.
At the moment, they will continue to create jobs for the B40 by expanding their reach to other countries, and Sue Yii hopes that they can build a sustainable business model to support the movement.
"We plan to develop and develop other materials besides the fabrics, and hope to develop a number of products that can represent the country," she concluded.
ultimately: I'm glad Sue Yii saw the opportunity to make the "solution" a real deal so the B40 women they employ can have a steadier stream of extra income. The fact that they also recognize these women's skills (by involving them in research and development, rewarding them accordingly, and giving them a sense of ownership of their creations) is the cherry on top.
- You can read more about other social businesses here.
Selected image source: Komuniti Tukang Jahit
