Sky’s no limit at Blind Brew

Sky Soong, a 44-year-old visually impaired entrepreneur, has opened Blind Brew, a drinks stall in Brickfields, Malaysia. Despite challenges such as blurred vision and difficulty finding ingredients or equipment, Soong has gradually learned to work around these obstacles at his new venture. Originally from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Soong began experiencing blurred vision at the age of 17, which led to uncertainty about his future and employment opportunities.

He enrolled at the Malaysian Association for the Blind’s Gurney Training Centre, where he learned practical skills like using a white cane, cooking, and navigating daily life. Through his experiences, Soong met Foo Yi Xeng, who became one of Blind Brew’s co-founders. Supported by Kuala Lumpur-based NGO Persatuan Amal Indah, Blind Brew offers coffee, soya bean drinks, jasmine green teas, cendol, and other refreshments.

Soong emphasizes that his stall is about more than earning an income; he aims to help people understand how blind people live and foster empathy. Running the business has required repetition and familiarity to remember ingredient locations and maintain consistent drink preparation. While mistakes still occur, Soong is committed to improving and growing his confidence daily.

Customers have been understanding, offering feedback rather than criticism, and Soong finds joy in receiving positive feedback about his improvements. Despite business unpredictability, Soong remains dedicated to turning up, practicing, and continuing to learn and grow at Blind Brew.