Challenges of an entrepreneur

9 September 2024

By AVV

PENAMPANG: Limpis Lawansin is an intrepid entrepreneur with extensive experience in selling her wares at the Tamu, or rural market.

This 47 year-old, started her journey into this commercial activity in 2015, as a source of livelihood, embarking with a strong will to succeed in this field.

Hailing from Kg. Mandalipau Papar, she sells bananas, pineapples, and various vegetables.

"During fruit season, I sell fruits like tarap, rambutan, langsat, cempedak and many others," she shares.

"In two acres of land, I grow food plants such as bananas, pineapples, pandan coconuts, durian, and a bit of vegetables as well as sweet potatoes, lemongrass, and pepper."

"As a seller, I face various challenges, particularly related to profit and loss. There are times when my wares don’t sell out completely, which can be disheartening."

"When I have surplus items, I make it a point to deliver them to those in need, such as the Montfort vocational school in Kinarut and the home for the elderly in Purak."

"This not only helps reduce waste but also supports my community. If the surplus is minimal, I often engage in barter trading with friends at the market, exchanging goods in a way that benefits us all. This practice fosters camaraderie among vendors and helps ensure that nothing goes to waste."

"Initially, I started this business by borrowing RM5,000 from TEKUN in 2010 to open a retail shop in Papar, but it only lasted a year. However, I worked hard to repay it and paid fully by the end of 2010."

"I borrowed RM10,000 from TEKUN to start a Class F contractor business, which is still ongoing. However, during the MCO/COVID period, my license faced significant operational constraints. As a single mother of four children, all of whom were in school with the youngest only three years old, it became incredibly challenging to manage my children's needs while tending to the farm and marketing agricultural products."

"In terms of projects, I've primarily focused on small contracts under RM20,000. Managing finances for my family, especially for my school-going children, has been tough, as I juggle the responsibilities of both mother and father on my own," Limpis who is the seventh of 11 siblings in her family.

"Despite the many setbacks I've faced, I remain determined to continue in this business."

Additionally, she serves as the PDM head of the Ovai United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), further demonstrating her commitment to the community and her entrepreneurial spirit.

"My hope is to be empowered and strengthened by God in raising my children through their education, and I wish for them to succeed academically despite our challenges."

"For young aspiring entrepreneurs, my advice is to embrace the journey of business without fear. It is through facing challenges that we learn to innovate and improve, enabling us to build something better than before, even after encountering setbacks."

As long as they remain resilient and open to all possibilities, they will navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship with confidence.