TEKUN National Helps Entrepreneur’s Vision

7 May 2025

PENAMPANG: In the bustling world of entrepreneurship, finding the right support can be the crucial difference between a dream remaining just that and blossoming into a thriving reality. For Albert Vincent, a Penampang-born entrepreneur with a passion for design and events, TEKUN National has played a significant role in fuelling his ambitious ventures.

Albert Vincent, a man with a diverse portfolio spanning travel, fashion, and event management, is a testament to hard work and dedication.

Born in Penampang, his educational journey saw him progress from local schools like SK Moyog and SMK Datuk Peter Mojuntin to achieving higher education abroad, holding a Bachelor's in Tourism Management and a Master's in Business Administration from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia. He furthered his academic pursuits with a PhD in Psychology Management from Monash University in Melbourne.

His entrepreneurial spirit ignited over 15 years ago with the establishment of "House of Dresses," a venture that began while he was serving in the aviation sector in Selangor. This early foray into the fashion world quickly garnered recognition. Albert's talent as a designer has been acknowledged on various platforms, including securing 2nd runner-up positions in amateur designer competitions in both Singapore and Bali in 2012.

He was also appointed as a designer for the evening gown segment of Miss Campus World 2013 finalists and consistently placed in the top 7 of the Sodop Unduk Ngadau Contemporary designer competition, ultimately winning the coveted title in 2015. His creative work has even graced international stages, with an invitation to showcase his collection in Manila in 2023. More recently, his contributions were recognised with the prestigious Bintang Kinabalu award in 2023.

Beyond fashion, Albert is also the Director of Tripo Travel Sdn Bhd and the founder of AO Event Management, showcasing his versatility and drive. Currently, his team consists of two full-time staff and four part-time employees, a structure that allows for flexibility in managing his diverse businesses.

Albert's journey with TEKUN National began in 2013. Over the years, he has accessed loans from the government entity, starting with a modest RM5,000 and gradually increasing the amount. While he couldn't recall the exact years of each loan, he estimates having borrowed a total of approximately RM40,000 to date. These funds, he explained, were primarily utilised to purchase essential materials such as garments and sewing items, crucial for the operations of his businesses, particularly "House of Dresses."

When asked about his experience with TEKUN Nasional, Albert was unequivocally positive. "TEKUN Nasional is a very good option especially for those who wanted to look for loans with very low interest," he stated, emphasising its significant benefit for aspiring entrepreneurs.

He firmly believes it's a "huge help for entrepreneurs who are starting their business" and enthusiastically recommends it to young individuals venturing into the business world.