Rasida Binti Raj Mohamed has bagged Woman Entrepreneur of the year

Rasida Binti Raj Mohamed has bagged Woman Entrepreneur of the year

• July 15, 2022

My name is Rasida binti Raj Mohamed from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. I’m the Co-Founder & Managing Director of Hamras International Sdn Bhd. I have completed my Bachelor of Computer Science from Coventry University UK in year 2004. I have been married since 2002 and blessed with 3 girls. My husband works abroad while I have chosen to stay back in my homeland. I believe that our quality of education is better for my kids. I must admit that it has not been an easy journey as I am required to juggle many roles from driving my kids to school back and for doing household chores. To make matters worse as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic hits the world and Malaysia including its economy was in lockdown. Unemployment as well as restriction in travel was driving us to the point of depression. In addition to that, the fear of not being able to see my husband again was devastating. But before things got worse, my husband’s brilliant idea to revive my entrepreneurship has set things back on track. He believes that I have had a good track record in the past in managing my father's Import & Export business for 20 years.

However, despite having mastered distribution and trading skills I simply have reached a ceiling point in my father’s company. I have this dream of setting up my own business one day and I couldn’t achieve that here.  So, I came up with this idea to start back the import and trading business but this time on a different product that is Dates & Nuts. At first, I focused only on Dates from the Middle East. Slowly but steadily went into trading. Later I expanded my role as distributor, wholesaler and retailer for dates and dates syrup from all over Middle East. All praises to God, my effort was paid off and I am grateful that my children and husband were supportive throughout.

On October 2020, the inauguration of Corporate operational office under the business name Hamras International Sdn Bhd took place. At that point in time we only marketed 3 types of Dates and Dates syrup from the Middle East under own brand and packaging. The Inauguration of Corporate Office ceremony were greeted by close family and friends while observing covid-19 restrictions. The amount of hard work and efforts that I had put from setting up the office to launching products was immense. Few months has passed since then before I decided to introduce Arabic Premium Quality Products. It was not that easy to import, introduce and supply the new products to Malaysian Market. Believe me, the competition was intense. Alas I believe hard work will definitely pay off. While waiting for the above business to pick at its own pace I ventured into food and beverage (F&B) under the names Hamras Bakester and Hamras Cafe. We were lucky to have introduced the above business at the time when demand for such food were high but we were unique too as we have introduced home-cooked, healthy Arabic food in the menu.

At the same time, I have started to recruit bakers within my community to support small-time but delicious pastry business for Hamras Bakester. With their support the status of my company has been elevated. Suddenly our products became the talk of the town. I believe that is because we do not compromise on the quality of cakes and cookies as they are freshly made upon order. All our ingredients are premium but sold at very reasonable price and delivered to their door step. All praises of GOD willing, in future we plan open a bakery and our highlight will be signature suji rich cake and other best-selling cookies. On the other hand, Hamras Café has generated us a lot income too. I mainly sell healthy Arabic and western dishes. I have put in a lot hours in cresting delicious recipe with customer’s satisfaction in mind. I ensure that portion is big and that I deliver a good service my customers. This café is home-based and I sell through online platform using food delivery partners. We have received great feedback from customers with repeat orders multiple times. Orders will start piling in from 8 in the morning till 10 at night. Due to  high demand I have plans to open a food outlet in the near future.

All my 3 businesses were greeted warmly by my customers. Handing all at one time is not easy, but I keep telling myself that after the rain there will be sunshine and that my hard work will definitely be paid off.  I am even more happy to note that members of Hamras family keep growing by the year which started off as a sole proprietor business. I am planning to bring on more projects too in future in line with my customers’ demands. I think it is worthy to note that being able to establish and run 3 business all within a year is no easy feat.

I am looking to expand more outlets in trading, bakery and F&B business for the coming years. My aim is to bring my company to greater heights. To further enhance my company’s reputation, we have also introduced our very own merchandise such as tote bags, masks etc. I am planning to bring on more projects too in future. Realising the fact that ups and downs is a norm in business I shall sail through this sea of uncertainties with strong faith and believe in the Almighty.

I’m extremely excited, proud and such a great honour to be receive double recognition award as Women Entrepreneur of The Year Award & Inspiring Personality Award from WOMEN ICON POWERED BY TIMES WOMEN. These awards will spur me to achieve more success and make my community as well my country proud. I also believe I would be the role model & inspiration to all the beautiful ladies out there to rock the world. My willpower, strength & courageous make me to come up to this level.

So, we women are not aimless, we can become strong, powerful & beautiful if we keep trying to achieve something in life.

I would like take this opportunity to thank The Women Icon team for recognizing me to obtain these awards for my hard work. I’m grateful to hear that I am on the right track.

My achievements

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx_dHPo4YLo – Hamras Official Ad Part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWXXP_Yo0_I – Hamras Official Ad Part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TIs04Y02o0 – Hamras Growing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19k7OpGjFA8 – Hamras Achievements

Instagram – @hamras_trade , @hamras_bakester , @hamras_bakester

Facebook – Hamras International Sdn Bhd

Thank you & Regards

Rasida Binti Raj Mohamed
Managing Director – Hamras International Sdn Bhd, Malaysia.