I'm a graphic designer by trade but have not had any freelance experience besides regular work experience and hobby specialization in print, and am thinking of starting my own agency or studio for freelance or client work.

Got a few colleagues and friends who are specialists in their own category, illustration, 3d, motion, me myself is graphic and web. So we are open to the idea of having our own collective studio.

I know design industry isn't the best in Msia, so I'm thinking of trying to attract clients from outside (yes, i am ambitious, at that age where it's time for entrepreneurship ).

I'm also interested to learn how to get contacts & networks for work here considering when u have ur own agency, besides paying for ads and implementing good SEO strategy.

Does anyone have any experience or story they can share, good or bad? So i can prepare myself. Or any personal SME or startup stories, difficulties, achievements, etc etc.

Thank you.


Also: does gov have grants for starting up new business in this industry? I'm bumi, if that helps

It's v difficult bro. But achievable. What u wan to do already got ppl doing, running, going to do and mayb open same day as u. The field while lool big but its small. Unless ur parents or ur partners r well connected be prepared to hustle big time.

U can try to go gomen website to see if there r any tender going on for jobs. But usually this will need certifications like let's say contractor is cidb or kkm. U got to find this out.

Grant is susah but u can aso try to search around. For bank sme loans u need to have at 6-12mths active company bank account. If not how they believe u can repay. Best is still bank papa and mama. Or best make use of your bumi status to find ppl to invest in u guys. But investments always come with alot of syarat2

Anyway all the best.

Firstly I applaud your initiative. For design business, it's not how talented you are that matters. It's how good your frontline sales people are, to get in clients. Also it would help if you have a strong supporter, for eg a father who already owns a big company and can be your anchor client.