Women entrepreneurs share honest insights on risk, resilience and reinvention at Sinar Daily’s She Means Business
In Malaysia alone, recent studies also showed that over 21 per cent of SMEs in Malaysia are currently women-led.
KUALA LUMPUR - Two inspiring Malaysian entrepreneurs, Inari Jewellery founder Eva Woon and Lax and Lay Retreat co-founder Mardhiah Latiff shared heartfelt reflections on their journeys of courage, creativity and perseverance during Sinar Daily’s She Means Business live panel session held earlier this evening at KLGCC Mall.
The session, hosted by Sinar Daily and moderated by Girls4Girls Deputy Country Lead Fildzah Zulkifli, explored what it truly takes to build a business grounded in purpose, authenticity and resilience.
Both Eva and Mardhiah offered an intimate look into the personal challenges and pivotal moments that shaped their entrepreneurial paths and ultimately defined their success.
Opening the session, Fildzah highlighted the growing presence of women-led enterprises and their proven impact.
“Research from Boston Consulting Group has shown that female or women-led startups generate 10 per cent higher cumulative revenue in the last five years.
“In Malaysia alone, recent studies also showed that over 21 per cent of SMEs in Malaysia are currently women-led.
“Now, despite all that, women entrepreneurs face significant unique challenges, one of them is the fear of failing to start a business,” she said.
For Eva, Inari Jewellery was born out of persistence after two earlier ventures in the same field.
“Inari Jewellery is actually my third venture in the jewellery business. Many people perceive it as an overnight success because of what they see on social media, but the truth is far from that.
“What they do not see are the struggles, setbacks and emotional hurdles that came before.
“It took me about a year of therapy to work through my fear of failure, the constant ‘what if’ that comes with starting something new. Nothing is ever guaranteed in business.
“One day things might go well and the next, unexpected problems could arise that you simply have to deal with,” she said.
Eva shared that it took numerous therapy sessions and many tears before she reached the mental strength needed to take that leap.
In the end, she realised that not trying at all would leave her with greater regret than any possible failure.
Meanwhile, Mardhiah reflected on the early days of Lax and Lay Retreat, explaining how courage and adaptability were crucial to their growth.
“In entrepreneurship, I have always believed in Steve Jobs’ philosophy of ‘stay hungry, stay foolish.’
“No matter how much you think you know, the real lessons come only through action.
“Preparation is important, but overplanning can hold you back,” she said.
She also spoke about the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in Malaysia, saying that 2025 looks vastly different from when she began in 2021.
At that time, the coffee industry was shaped by a very different environment; Starbucks remained the dominant force and Zeus had yet to grow to its present scale.
“The barrier to entry in business today is much higher. When we launched during the pandemic, people were generally risk-averse, which in some ways worked in our favour.
“It allowed us to take the leap when others were hesitant and that courage became one of our greatest advantages,” she added.
The evening also featured perspectives from audience members who shared how the session had inspired them.
Mahsuri Shark Gallery Chief Executive Officer, Mahsuri Sharkawi commended the initiative for its authenticity and meaningful focus.
She described the event as inspiring, highlighting how it celebrated women by providing a platform for young entrepreneurs to share their journeys, the challenges they have encountered, and the personal growth that came from those experiences.
“I also noticed how the younger audience was paying attention, eager to learn how they too can start their own ventures and achieve success.
“What stood out to me was how honest the speakers were about the difficulties, they did not sugar-coat it.
“There is always risk involved and we need to be more open and collaborative to build better momentum.
“Doing things alone can be tough, but when you find partners or people to work with, anything becomes possible,” she said.
For 31-year-old salesperson Yunis Kumar Naidu, the session was filled with valuable, real-world insights.
She said the discussion was especially inspiring for young adults like herself, as many lack exposure to the business world.
“Having experts share their experiences and knowledge makes a big difference.
“It is great to see sessions like this being held because not everyone can talk about business confidently, it is a complex topic that requires proper guidance.
“I really appreciate how the panellists broke it down clearly and made it relatable. It was a great initiative and I genuinely enjoyed it,” she said.
Nur Dahlea Azmin, a 24-year-old university student, echoed similar sentiments, describing the panel as insightful and eye-opening.
She loved the speakers’ positive mindset and the helpful advice they shared for those wanting to start a business.
“They emphasised the importance of facing risks and accepting that every decision, no matter how small, carries some level of risk when starting out.
“That message really stuck with me because it is so true.
“Their openness and honesty about their experiences make their advice even more meaningful and I believe it will help many young people who aspire to become entrepreneurs,” she said.
The She Means Business series by Sinar Daily continued to showcase authentic stories of women who are redefining leadership and entrepreneurship in Malaysia, reminding attendees that resilience, purpose and vulnerability remain at the heart of success.
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