A tough Raya, a livestream and a fresh start with banana chips

Muhammad Akram Shairi and his wife, Siti Farhana Masud Hayati, found themselves in a tough financial situation after their clothing business faced cash-flow problems last year. With nearly RM400,000 in losses, the couple barely had RM60 to offer their relatives during Ramadan. To avoid their relatives, they pretended to be busy frying banana chips in their backyard, leading to an unexpected chain of events.

Through a TikTok livestream, the couple received a massive order for 30kg of banana chips the first day and 60kg the next, prompting them to hire an additional helper. They understood the importance of learning from their previous mistakes and decided to grow their business gradually, closely monitoring their cash flow. Today, Nekyahh Kerepek, their banana chip brand, operates in Parit 6 Tebuk Pulai, with a daily production of around 200kg of chips and a team of 14 employees, aged between 24 and 66.

Farhana, 26, emphasizes the value of older workers who have years of experience in food preparation. They share their methods and knowledge with the couple, contributing to the brand's success. The employees also enjoy their work by meeting friends during breaks, even arriving early for Subuh prayers. Akram, 32, highlights that employing older residents and single mothers provides them with a less strenuous income opportunity. This social aspect of the workplace has become an essential part of the venture.

Production encompasses preparing raw ingredients, peeling bananas, frying, and packing the finished chips. Akram mentions that sales now bring in over RM130,000 a month, depending on demand and the availability of raw materials. However, they remain cautious about rapid growth, especially after their previous venture's failure. To secure a steady supply of banana chips, the couple has planted over 2,000 banana seedlings in Kampung Gajah, Perak.

The plantation not only protects their production but also ensures the business's stability for the employees who now rely on it for work. Akram stresses that learning from past mistakes is crucial, as the business's second attempt is far more sustainable and well-planned.