I’m an engineer with 14 years of experience, but I’m clueless about business. I want to start a service-based company in a field I care about (let’s just say it’s something I’ve personally needed and noticed is WAY too expensive). My goal is to make it affordable without cutting corners. I have somewhat created a business plan that includes salaries (jobstreet, LinkedIn), shop rental (propertyguru), utilities, 3 year plan with adding 2 more shops at end of year 3, number of client progression and occupancy rate, possible revenue streams based on my experience as a customer. My observation, the demand is quite high, I almost had to wait 5 months to get a slot, and as a returning customer need to wait for a month, the fact that they are packed despite only operating on weekdays from 9am-6pm is impressive.
Ive been to other shop that open weekends, always busy with customer coming in.

My situation:

Skills I have: Process improvement, automation, quality control, problem-solving.
Skills I don’t: Marketing, sales, hiring, or anything business-related.
Budget: RM 50k (my hard-earned savings).
Plan: Hire a technical expert to handle the “core service” while I focus on systems, efficiency and goals.

I need your help with:

Finding mentors: Where do I even look? No one in my circle runs a business.
First steps: Do I rent a shoplot first? Hire someone first? Panic first?
Hiring: How do I find/pay someone to lead the “technical” side, would they want to join me when I don’t know the industry (though I'm ready to learn)?

Why I’m posting:
I’m tired of overthinking and ready to take the leap. If you’ve started a business with no experience, please share:
What you wish you’d known.
Where to find mentorship.
How to avoid wasting money early on.

Thanks in advance

How long can your 50k last you if you want to do all that?

What kind of service? Does it need highly skilled? If highly skilled, kinda hard for the technical person to take a leap of faith.

If not high skill, I think possible.
Another way is if you decide to full time from the get go. Maybe you can think of working on that industry for a few months first?
I’m Not a biz owner though.

Something not right. You are tired of overthinking and yet you want to start a business ?

If this is your problem statement u are in for a ride. Running a business is harder than makan gaji. U will be hyper thinking mate especially in angles u have no clue

1st things 1st...is 50k even enough? If you are going to rent a ground floor shoplot... That alone may take up 20% of yr 50k...depending on location la. And how about renovation cost?

I remember dumping in ard 40k to start a metal fabrication workshop nearly 20 yrs ago... And that with 0 customer base.. Haha crazy times.. I was so gung ho... Went around my honda ex5 to look for customers.

How long to get your first customer? Is the business still going on?

when you mention you are an engineer but you didn't mention which field you are in - software, mechanical, electrical, etc ?

my suggestion:
-sales: try to learn some basic marketing first and get your first sales, setup a simple free website to get leads and sales
-office: with 50k, can do virtual office first (either from home or co-working space)
-hr: if you want to hire technical staff 1st, maybe offer something better than salary like company share? later can buy back the share
-hr: you can get freelancer 1st, don't hire permenant/contract for the time being, hiring and people manage is a very tedious & headache process

hope the above helps

Within the week of starting.... Ronda ronda at nearby taman and look for any renovation works ongoing.. Had to be thick face and ask if want to do gates or grilles.

Sold off biz 10 yrs ago. Now easier to just sub out jobs than to deal with having own factory, workers etc... Now I'm doing renovation.

Never start a business by thinking. Your business proposal sounds good in terms of paperwork, but not practical for realistic usage. 50k not enough to cover for rental, 2 staffs, unknown expenses. That's where the question of #2 came from.

Yeah, that's a leap, alright. The leap of death.

Nowadays 50k want to start a proper hawker stall also a challenge, let alone a technical service-based company.

Your info is too limited, how to expect us to provide useful feedback?
At least tell us what kind of business ma

Grok glad to help

Taking the leap into entrepreneurship with your engineering background is a bold and exciting move, especially with your goal of making a service more affordable without cutting corners. With 14 years of experience in process improvement, automation, quality control, and problem-solving, you’re already bringing valuable skills to the table. However, since you’re new to the business side—particularly marketing, sales, and hiring—I’ll focus on addressing your specific questions: finding mentors, figuring out your first steps, and hiring someone to handle the technical side. I’ll also share insights on avoiding early money waste, which is critical with your RM 50k budget.

### Finding Mentors
Since no one in your circle runs a business, you’ll need to seek external mentorship. Here are some practical options:

- **SCORE.org**: This is a free resource offering business advice through a network of volunteer mentors. You can connect online, and they’ll pair you with someone experienced based on your needs. It’s a great starting point for general guidance.
- **Local Business Associations in Malaysia**: Look into organizations like the **SME Association of Malaysia** or local **chambers of commerce**. They often host networking events or mentoring programs tailored to the Malaysian market, which could give you region-specific insights.
- **Online Communities**: Platforms like **LinkedIn** or even **Reddit (e.g., r/Entrepreneur)** can connect you with entrepreneurs willing to share advice. Post about your journey or reach out directly to people in similar industries for informal mentorship.

Mentors can help you bridge your knowledge gaps in marketing, sales, and hiring, and provide a sounding board for your business plan. Don’t hesitate to ask—even seasoned business owners love helping passionate newcomers.

### First Steps
You’re eager to start, but jumping straight into renting a shoplot or hiring might burn through your budget too fast. Here’s a smarter sequence to minimize risk:

1. **Validate Your Business Idea**:
Your observation of high demand—5-month waits, packed weekdays, busy weekends at competitors—is a strong signal, but confirm it with data. Conduct **market research**: survey potential customers about their needs, pricing tolerance, and preferences. Study competitors’ offerings, pricing, and weaknesses. This will solidify your assumption and help you find a unique edge.

2. **Test with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or Pilot**:
Instead of renting a shoplot right away, test your service on a small scale. Could you offer it part-time, from a temporary space, or even online (if applicable)? This lets you gauge customer response, refine your process, and build confidence without a big upfront investment.

3. **Refine Your Plan**:
Use your research and test results to tweak your business plan. Ensure your 3-year roadmap—adding two shops by year 3—accounts for scaling costs like extra staff and locations. Only move to renting a shop or hiring full-time once you’ve proven the concept.

**What NOT to do first**: Don’t rent a shoplot or hire someone immediately—those are big commitments. And definitely don’t panic! Your engineering mindset thrives on solving problems step-by-step—apply that here.

### Hiring a Technical Expert
Hiring someone to lead the “core service” while you focus on systems and efficiency is a smart division of labor. Here’s how to approach it:

- **Where to Find Candidates**:
- **JobStreet** and **LinkedIn**: You’ve already used these for salary research—post job listings there too.
- **Professional Networks**: Ask industry contacts or post in relevant online groups.
- **Competitor Recon**: Observe staff at similar businesses (discreetly!) and consider reaching out if you spot talent.

- **Attracting Talent**:
Your RM 50k budget may not support a high salary yet, so get creative. Pitch your vision—highlight how your engineering skills will make the business efficient and scalable. Offer **equity** or **profit-sharing** to entice skilled candidates who believe in your mission. Emphasize the chance to shape a new venture, which can appeal to ambitious professionals.

- **Would They Join You?**:
Your lack of industry experience might worry some, but your 14 years of engineering expertise and clear passion are compelling. Be honest about what you bring (systems, process optimization) and what you’re learning (the business side). To evaluate candidates, focus on their technical track record and problem-solving skills—ask for examples of past work. If possible, involve a mentor to help you assess hires.

The right person will see your potential and share your goal of affordability without compromise. Take your time—hiring is make-or-break.

### Avoiding Early Money Waste
With RM 50k, every ringgit matters. Here’s how to stretch it wisely:

- **Prioritize Essentials**: Spend on **market research**, your **MVP/pilot**, and that key technical hire. Skip non-essentials like fancy decor or big ad campaigns until you’re generating revenue.
- **Bootstrap**: Do what you can yourself—set up a basic social media presence or handle admin tasks. Your process improvement skills can keep costs low.
- **Alternative Funding**: If RM 50k falls short, explore **grants** (check SME Corp Malaysia) or **crowdfunding**. Small business loans from banks like CIMB or Maybank are another option.

### What I Wish I’d Known (From Others’ Experiences)
Since I’m AI and haven’t started a business, I’ll share wisdom from entrepreneurs:

- **Failure is Part of the Game**: Many first ventures stumble—expect setbacks and treat them as learning opportunities. Your problem-solving skills will help you pivot.
- **Legal Stuff Matters**: Register your business, secure licenses, and understand Malaysian tax rules. A local accountant or lawyer can save you headaches—budget a little for this.
- **Marketing Isn’t Optional**: Even a great service needs customers. Start small with a **basic website** or **social media**, and offer introductory deals. You don’t need to be a pro, but learn the basics or lean on someone who knows.

### Final Thoughts
Your engineering strengths—process improvement, automation, quality control—are a solid foundation for an efficient, scalable business. By validating your idea, finding mentors, and hiring strategically, you can overcome your lack of business experience. Entrepreneurship is a journey of learning—embrace the challenges, ask for help when needed, and stay focused on your mission to make this service affordable without cutting corners. You’ve got the skills and drive—now take it one smart step at a time. Good luck!

alamak.. with 14years experience, you only have rm50k to start your business?..
bro.. deposit for a place and utilities is 1+2 months… then minor renovation and furniture.. then your staff…
next is business… assuming you have clients on first day… you need 3x capital to operate… meaning stock in hand, stocks at clients place waiting for payment, stocks on order..

next your salaries…

think , then decide

Ppl that want find mentor memang gila better don't start do business . U want make money but want other ppl help u without paying them , if yr boss as u to work without paying u , u want ke ?

If u are ok with bending the law and occasionally doing things in grey area, then welcome to the business world. But if u are an honest, law abiding person, I suggest not to go into business in Malaysia. Good people with high moral grounds will rarely succeed in business. It's like finding a needle in a haystack. Government officers will give u hardship unless u bribe, clients and customers will coerce u into doing dodgy stuff and unless u comply, they will bring their business to someone else who does. Workers and staff will tell u all sort of sob stories to get ur sympathy and extra paid leaves etc... Unless u have a heart of steel, all these circumstances will continue to beat u into submission and lose yourself, or persevere to become a good guy until u eventually lose ur business

1) but I’m clueless about business.

NO bro. no.

Passion is not equal to business. and if you dont like overthinking, business doesnt fit the bill


2) Skills I don’t: Marketing, sales,

Fark liao. this 2 is the most important. if you have the best product but duno how to sell, its a goner.


Try to find other competitors in this field. see whether they wanna open branch or what. work with them on equity or profit sharing basis. learn first how to run the thing


This post has been edited by pisces88: Feb 26 2025, 10:25 AM

Your initial capital of RM50k is too low. How much is your shop rental per month? What is the monthly operation cost? (manpower, utilities, rental, all the fees etc etc)

Maybe you can offer someone with the technical background requires to run your business and also sales/marketing to invest and venture into your business. Just remember you have to take the controlling share (ie. min 52%).

Also you have to have enough cash flow to at least cover min 6 months of your business with an expectation of 0 revenue. Without knowing your business it's hard to gauge or say. But usually for myself i will set 1 year with 0 revenue. There will be alot of misc costs incurred without you knowing.

Need enough cash flow for at least 12 months.

Good advice above delay shoplot first

Macam R&M saja. Really need a shoplot? Maybe can JV or link with others considering of their network and you become their subcon. All your tools, just buy a nice van with customized storage system for you to move around.