BEYOND THE BOWL: CIK YAH’S BUSINESS EVOLUTION AND TRAININGS’ IMPACT

Abstract

This case study explores the entrepreneurial journey of Cik Yah, the founder of Khairiyah Corner, a local food business in Perlis, Malaysia. It highlights her transition from an informal food vendor to a structured business owner through participation in various entrepreneurship training programs. These include MyJANA, MARA initiatives, digital tools workshops, and hygiene certification training provided by the Ministry of Health. The study examines how these trainings enhanced her skills in business planning, financial management, digital marketing, and operational capacity. It also identifies key challenges she encountered, such as limited restaurant space, staffing constraints, manual bookkeeping, and difficulties in managing online orders. The case further explores how targeted training interventions contributed to her decision-making, confidence, and ability to scale her business. The findings emphasize the importance of continuous learning, coordinated support from multiple institutions, and digital literacy in empowering rural women entrepreneurs. Cik Yah’s experience offers valuable insights for policymakers and training providers working to strengthen grassroots businesses through inclusive and adaptive learning strategies.