From RM50 A Day To RM100,000 A Month
By Soraya Jamal
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 (Bernama) — Twenty years ago, T. Sundaresan earned his living by selling toys at night markets.
During those days, his daily income was inconsistent, at times reaching only RM50, and on “bad nights” the sum he earned was meagre. Now the 40-year-old Selangor-born has a business chain that gives him RM100,000 a month.
“In Malaysia, it is not that hard to earn money. Even foreigners can come here and toil non-stop to earn money, why then should we find it difficult? ” he asked. “If one is lazy, then it will of course be tough. Where there is a will, there is a way,” Sundaresan told Bernama recently.
Sounds rather easy. The truth is, there is no short cut to success.
SELLING TOYS
At the age when his peers were still seeking direction in their life, the then 19-year-old Sundaresan was earning an income by selling toys at night markets, with a capital of RM300, using his trusted motorcycle.
In the early 90s, Sundaresan expanded his toy-selling business by acquiring a Chevrolet C20 van and added plastic-based products to his wares. Several years later, the nation was hit by the economic meltdown. But this did not deter Sundaresan from moving a few rungs up.
The young entrepreneur then purchased a one-tonne van and started selling pots. “I travelled daily to the factory in Yong Peng, Johor, to collect the pots. I left home at 3am and by 6 in the evening, I was offering them at the night markets in the Klang Valley. That was my daily routine then”, he said.
But Sundaresan did not stop at this point as he wanted to do more. Realising that his neighbourhood, located near the Glenmarie estate and Kampung Saujana, had yet to have any form of public transport, Sundaresan began to ferry school students and other passengers to schools and other destinations.
ENTERPRISING MAN
That was years back. Now Sundaresan is the proud owner of three school buses and a van. He also operates a grocery store.
The father of two has a keen eye for business opportunities. Chancing upon a vacant shop lot located not far away from his grocery store, Sundaresan immediately grabbed at the golden opportunity to expand his business by investing RM80,000 to open a restaurant at the premise.
The eatery, known as “Restoran Ikan Tenggiri,” is doing good business. It is managed by his younger brother Ramesh who is also an actor. Encouraged by the public’s response to his restaurant, Sundaresan spread his business further by operating office canteens and offering catering services.
HARD WORK PAYS
What Sundaresan has now is all due to his hard work. He did it without resorting to taking loans or business financing. The only loan that he has ever taken was for the purchase of vehicles.
However Sundaresan’s success story is not without glitches. His grocery stroe was robbed four years ago. In 2006, the same store was hit by flood, causing him to suffer some RM60,000 in losses.
“I had to start from scratch,” he said. Sundaresan said he had faced and experienced many challenges and difficult situations including getting capital and workers. “It is not easy to get foreign workers. The locals are choosy over jobs. At times I have to ask my children and relatives to carry out the work,” said Sundaresan who also cares for the wife and children of his elder brother who died 15 years ago.
ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE
Sundaresan’s grocery store is open seven days a week, including on public holidays and festive occasions like Deepavali. The only time the shop is closed is when Sundaresan and his family leave for Chennai, India for their annual pilgrimage.
To this day, Sundaresan still drives his school bus despite having 16 workers. “At times, I get sleepless at night, thinking of my business. Patience is a much needed virtue. Sometimes the thought of relinquishing the business did cross my mind, but in the long run, it is really not a solution “, he said.
Sundaresan is rather fortunate as his wife understands his work commitments. “She is a great help. My wife helps to manage my grocery shop when I am busy with other commitments,” he said.
NO SECRET, ONLY HARD WORK
For Sundaresan, there is no secret to his success. It comes only through hard work and tenacity. “We cannot hope for assistance from others as in business we have to be responsible. It is not merely a matter of putting up your money.
“Those who wish to do business must have the commitment and will to work very hard at all times,” he said, adding that a businessman must also be wise and cautious.
They must not be careless and lackadaisical, said Sundaresan.
He said businessmen should also be creative in their ventures. “Do not think that by starting a business today you can be rich tomorrow. There is no shortcut to success,” he said.
Sundaresan has this advice for young entrepreneurs. “You have to be serious in business. It is no fun. If you earn RM10, then is no way should you spend RM12″, he cautioned.
– BERNAMA
