A roadmap to starting your coffee business
The latest Sunway Alumni Networking Mixer and Professional Development event was a real buzz. Our guest speaker was none other than Roy, an SHSM alumnus, who shared insights on making it as an entrepreneur in the café industry. With a background in events, hospitality, and F&B, Roy co-founded successful café ventures - JAR Coffee and Ampersand KL - with a business partner.
Roy dove right into his story, highlighting the importance of having a supportive partner in the entrepreneurial journey. This aligned well with the mixer's aim of fostering connections among alumni. Who knows, these connections could pave the way for fruitful partnerships or future investments. Roy's talk included practical advice on setting up a café, covering everything from location and equipment to branding and marketing. He even spiced things up with pop quizzes, giving two lucky attendees a taste of JAR Coffee's cold brews.
The energy continued with a panel session featuring Dr. Daniel Chong, Associate Dean (International) from SHSM. Questions flowed about budgets, tools, newbie tips, supplier sourcing, and more. Roy and Dr. Daniel offered insightful responses. As an added treat, Roy set up a coffee cart, serving up his creations - and yes, they were a hit! Roy's generosity shone as he donated half the proceeds to the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, setting an inspiring example for all.
A huge shoutout to Roy, Dr. Daniel Chong, and the SHSM team for their time and connections. This event surely rekindled old bonds and sparked fresh connections.
