Sky’s no limit at Blind Brew

Sky Soong, a 44-year-old visually impaired entrepreneur, runs Blind Brew, a drinks stall in Brickfields, Malaysia. He faces challenges due to his blurred vision, sometimes struggling to locate ingredients, handle equipment, or notice when something has fallen. However, these obstacles have not deterred Soong from pursuing his dream.

With support from Kuala Lumpur-based NGO Persatuan Amal Indah, Blind Brew started operations two months ago, offering coffee, soya bean drinks, jasmine green teas, cendol, and other refreshments. Soong's journey began when he became vision impaired at 17, which led to uncertainty about his future and employment prospects. He enrolled at the Malaysian Association for the Blind's Gurney Training Centre to learn practical skills, such as using a white cane, cooking, and navigating daily life.

There, he also met Foo Yi Xeng, who became one of Blind Brew's co-founders. Blind Brew serves as a platform for Soong to grow his confidence and demonstrate what visually impaired entrepreneurs can achieve. The stall's success relies on Soong's ability to rely on familiarity, repetition, and practice to manage his work. Despite occasional mistakes, Soong remains determined to improve and help people understand the daily challenges faced by visually impaired individuals.

Customers have been generally understanding, providing feedback rather than criticism, which Soong finds gratifying. Despite the unpredictability of business, Soong is committed to continuous improvement through daily practice and perseverance.