Founder, Desa Bumi

“When we started the company, our main goal was to provide micro-renewable energy to meet the needs of the Dayak Deah community in Desa Adat Liyu. Tourism was the main driving force of the economy. We wanted to enable the community with renewably sourced energy to elevate existing attractions, eventually bringing in more tourists.

Our challenge was to implement it in a way that did not disrupt the existing culture and lives of the inhabitants. So we opted to implement solar cell technology with cells that were locally sourced and produced. This decision helped us successfully meet all of our goals.”

Founder and executive director, Hopes Malaysia

“The main challenge my team and I face at Hopes Malaysia is limited financial resources that support our outreach to more beneficiaries. Funding is crucial for our online and offline awareness campaigns and for our sustainable farming projects. There are many rural Sabahan families who are deeply impoverished and lack access to help, yet show keen interest in joining our sustainable initiatives for their livelihoods.

We constantly reach out to corporate companies to seek collaboration on CSR projects that enable us to support more beneficiaries. Long-term funding is crucial for any organisation. This is the struggle we constantly face and we hope to take more steps forward to overcome it, eventually enabling us to expand our sustainable footprint in Kota Belud, Sabah.”

Read more: The conservationist who is protecting Malaysia’s marine mammals

Founder and CEO, Limitless Lab

“As a female entrepreneur, I face several challenges. More often than not, gender is the reason I am undermined and not taken seriously, limiting my access to funding. Balancing work and family is also seen as a disadvantage.

When my mom passed away in 2020 due to Covid-19, I had to step up and assume the role of primary caregiver of my seven-year-old sister. Trying to juggle running the company and its growth, while learning how to parent a young child was probably one of the biggest challenges I encountered in the last 18 months.

Aside from this, we had to navigate how to seamlessly transition from a full online setup to hybrid work for Limitless Lab. Employees were initially unwilling to return to the office. In small stages, we were able to adapt and encourage our team to report at least once a week in person, as we have seen how face-to-face meet-ups have been instrumental to increasing employee engagement and emotional connection in the team.

Read more: Sundance winner Kayla Abuda Galang on the pressures of being an Asian-American filmmaker

Co-founder and CEO, PressPlay

“Before achieving professional and personal success, I faced numerous obstacles and difficulties. One major hurdle was losing my entrepreneurial drive and feeling more like a professional manager than a true entrepreneur. This led to burnout, confusion and feeling lost.

During the pandemic, I watched WeCrashed, a movie that deeply resonated with me. It tells the story of the rise and fall of co-working company WeWork whose financial valuation reached US$47 billion in 2019 before it crashed as a result of an unsustainable business model. The film helped me rediscover my passion for entrepreneurship and I started to make clear plans and goals. This has given me more confidence and motivation to achieve greater success in the future.

I realised that the path to success is full of challenges, but by staying true to our beliefs and intentions, we can overcome any obstacles to achieve our goals.”

Founder and CEO, Half The Sky

“One of the most significant challenges for me was trying to balance the demands of my business with the responsibilities of being a new mother. Running a startup is a full-time job and caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. I had to figure out how to manage my time and energy effectively so that I could be present for my child while also growing my business.

To overcome this challenge, I relied on the support of my team and husband. I communicated openly with them and ensured that they were aware of changes in my schedules. My husband provided invaluable support by helping with childcare when needed. I also prioritised my time and energy based on what was most important. This meant learning the power of saying no to certain commitments and delegating tasks to other team members when necessary.

Finally, I improved my time efficiency by optimising my work schedule. For example, I blocked out specific time slots in my calendar for focused work and avoided multitasking as much as possible. I also leveraged technology tools and automation to streamline my work processes. This helped me reduce the time spent on administrative tasks.”

Co-founder and chief growth officer, Globish

“The main challenge that I faced in the last 18 months was not work-related, but a personal one. I experienced a serious injury while bouldering, which resulted in two broken leg bones that left me unable to walk for several months.

This was a struggle for me because I thrive being around people. I enjoy being at the office and interacting with my team. Not being able to carry out my normal activities caused me to feel isolated from my work and colleagues. This disconnect negatively impacted my motivation and well-being. Unwillingly, I was forced to take time off work to focus on my recovery and rehabilitation. This involved physical therapy and rest. The support of my loved ones helped build my mental health. 

During my recovery, the tipping point was adjusting my mindset to find new ways to stay connected and productive. This included participating in virtual meetings to stay updated on projects and finding little ways to contribute to the company. Ultimately, the experience taught me the importance of resilience and adaptability. I could not have done it alone, and I am grateful for the support of my colleagues and loved ones during this difficult time.”

See more honourees from the Gen.T 2023 List.

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