Baristas thanked BEEP plus for assistance

29 March 2024

By Nabalu News Journalist

PENAMPANG: In the bustling world of coffee, where passion meets creativity, two baristas decided to embark on an extraordinary journey that would forever change their lives.

This is the heartwarming tale of Badariah Abdullah Sani, 37, formerly from Lahad Datu who partnered with her husband Syed Mohd Nazri Abdul Hatta, 38, to open a quaint little coffee shop.

Nestled in a cozy corner of ITCC shopping mall in Penampang, their coffee haven, named "Le Doux Coffee," offers an intimate space for coffee enthusiasts to indulge in the art of coffee.

With a seating capacity for 15 people, this charming establishment is solely dedicated to serving the finest brews.

To sweeten the experience, they have partnered with a talented acquaintance who supplies them with a delectable array of pastries and cakes.

Badariah and Syed’s journey began when they went to train as Baristas in the renowned Santola Cafe. As they pursued their barista certifications, their shared passion for coffee and undeniable chemistry led them to a profound realisation: they wanted to create a space where their love for coffee could flourish.

Drawing inspiration from their certification programme at Santola, they set out to transform their dream into a reality.

It was not a walk in the park for the couple as they had to renovate the outlet to exude a cosy and inviting ambiance. The interior reflects a harmonious blend of rustic charm and contemporary aesthetics, with warm wooden furnishings, every detail, from the carefully selected lighting to the comfortable seating, crafted to ensure that customers feel at ease as they enjoy their coffee.

The renovations and their equipment cost them a whopping RM60,000 but they pushed on with unwavering commitment.

It was therefore a relief for them when their application for BEEP Plus assistance was approved. The amount RM13,890 would go towards their rent and innovations, Badariah said.

“We are so grateful for BEEP plus as this assistance will help us tremendously,” she said adding the efforts of the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative Datuk Ewon Benedick’s effort to ensure that entrepreneurs in Sabah and Sarawak could have assistance from BEEP was commendable.

In thanking the Minister, she stressed that such assistance was a great source of encouragement to her and her husband.

She was sure that many other entreprenuers would be greatly encouraged and grateful for such assistance as it could help them boost their business in many ways.

BEEP Plus, under SME Corp Malaysia, refers to the Bumiputera Enterprise Enhancement Programme (BEEP) that aims to create and develop competitive, resilient, and dynamic Bumiputera Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through integrated assistance.

SME Corp Malaysia, as a Central Coordinating Agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative (MEDC) formulates overall policies and strategies for SMEs and coordinates the implementation of SME development programmes.