get out of your comfort zone
May 19, 2013Being in business for more than 2 years now has made me realise how important funding is to grow your business to another level. Big companies start their businesses with millions of bucks in their pockets just ready to be splurged on marketing and all, but that’s not how FV started. We started with nowhere close to a million and as thankful as we are with what we have now, we know the growth would’ve been a lot faster had we gotten bigger funds from investors.
Truth be told, we had it quite easy with good response from Malaysians and the media because even with a relatively small capital we managed to establish ourselves as one of the leading online stores in the country. But we noticed the sales reached some sort of a plateau and we were making a profit but we had nothing left for marketing. We knew we needed money to grow.
The easiest option would be to ask for a loan from our families but Dean and I both wanted something more than just money. We wanted a strategic partnership with an investor who isn’t just giving out millions, but can offer us something more than that e.g. marketing opportunities, technical knowhow, manpower, expertise, network overseas… anything that can help grow FV to greater heights. And that’s the reason we turned to the public listed company MyEG and with thick faces we joined the reality show MyEG Make The Pitch revealing everything on national TV.
Basically, to grow a company, what you need is: investors.
I deal with a lot of local fashion brands that have crazy talents, but because of the limited resources, their reach and their production are not as good as it could be. Always have been a supporter of local talents, FV found a solution to this by linking arms with MyCreative Ventures Sdn Bhd, a company under MOF that gives funds to support local businesses.
Let me introduce….
FASHION PITCH
Picture from the press conference we had recently:
Fashion Pitch is a private pitching session open to any Malaysian (individual or company) with great fashion potential to get funds to start or grow their business nationally and globally. The funds available are from tens of thousands up to RM 2 million PER INVESTEE and is in the form of either loan or equity.
Dean and I had to gulp and sweat in front of the nation to raise funds, but you don’t have to with FashionPitch because the pitching is private with only the applicant and a panel of 3-4 judges who will assess/advise based on the business plan and projections.
If you’re interested, seriously, my honest advice is to not miss this opportunity to ask for funding. A lot of us wallow in self-pity and grumble about how we don’t have the money to start something great but there are opportunities like these right in front of our eyes that we let slip.
Who else is going to give you 2 million bucks?Β
Download the application form or get more details on FASHION PITCH here.
Deadline for initial application is 31 MAY 2013 (very soon)Β so get to work!!!!
Hi Vy, is this applicable for shoe designer as well? π
Hi Zaa, Yep it is! π
Last I checked when you were on that MYEG show you pretty much just nodded to whatever Dean had to say. Gulp and sweat? Again, the spoilt rotten Vivy trying to sound all awesome and divine.
How are you Managing Director of FV when your husband does all the strategising and whatnot? And claiming you’re Business Development Manager of Proven Group just to sound like you are juggling two jobs.. Puhleese. Those people at your dad’s office snicker at the sound of your name, bet you didn’t know that.
Seriously Vivy, just senyap lah. Annoying gila!
Thanks for still wanting to visit my blog and read my posts even with your sentiments π Hope you’ll join FashionPitch if you’re into fashion!
Sara , if you’re so annoyed why bother reading her blog? Dont read lah. Obvious enough ure jelous thats why you care. If you dont have anything good to say, dont say anything
To vivy, wish u all the best for your FV.
To Sara,
:). Satu saja dari saya, jangan suka judge orang dengan hanya berdasarkan apa yang kamu dengar dan apa yang kamu lihat. Sebab hakikatnya memang manusia suka judge orang melalui luaran sahaja. Hanya Tuhan saja yang tahu keadaan hati seseorang. Sebaiknya, kalau pun tidak suka reserved lah comment itu untuk kamu sendiri. And I really hope you read my comment so that kamu bertaubat dari mengatakan keburukan orang lain.
The Golden Rule. βSo whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them”
God bless.
Haha i can just laugh at what that sara girl is saying. She thinks you’re annoying but she stalks you. Funny funny girl. Anyways vivy you’re a good role model to all young girls out there, high achievers all the way! Wished I can join this pitch thingy but unfortunately my business partner is busy with her thesis. π – one of your FV vendors.
babe, just ignore la this kind of people.. they talking nonsense and dengki coz they just have nothing! vivy is a strong woman… im here to support u… forever… π
Ur ig post brought me here.
Hi Sara, you are the one that is annoying tahap gila babi..
We all adore her because of her great achievements academically, career as well as the great personalities that she portray at such age. I dont knw her personally but ive been reading her blogs, and the way she responds to all her ‘fans’ be it on IG or here, shows how humble and appreciative she is towards them tho we know she comes from affluent family. Sedih betul ada orang busuk hati macam ni. Anak dara tua mana entah :p
To Vivy..All the best with your pregnancy, FV, and everything else. You go girl!
To Sara..Im just wondering what is it that vivy do with her life that annoys you so much. I mean how does it affect you in anyway? If its true sekalipun what you said,what is it got to do with you? Its her life,her business and its her husband. Not yours. Seriously girl..if you’re a Muslim go muhassabah yourself ok..
Dear Vivy,
Just like your mom said… Stay positive always. You’re doing great at your age. You’re an inspiration to not only those younger than you.. But also older than you. InsyaAllah u’ll be a superb globally knowned business woman and a super mom soon. Moga diberkati Tuhan, dimurahkan rezeki dan dilimpah kurniakan dgn anak2 yg soleh dan solehah. Aminn..
Sara,
You should be ashamed of yourself. You posted 2 negative comments on two blogposts. So if u are really anoyyed by her, then why even bother to read her blog? Jealous much? Seems like it. Maybe you’re the one who should ‘Senyaplah!’ Moga Tuhan membalas budi pekerti kamu pada org lain.. May u realise your mistake.
I have so much of respect towards u,V.
No matter how other people talk ill abt u n ur life, at the end of the day, u just know tht nothing else matter n no other people could judge u…only ALLAH.
INGAT TU SARA… ONLY GOD!
Mungkin saat awak mula melemparkan kata2 kesat begitu, awak lupa ttg kewujudan Tuhan.
If u hate her so much, why still reading?
JEALOUSY maybe?
Maybe u should be more grateful for what u have.. And Lord will definitely shower u more n complete u with what u wish for. Be nice, could u? Can’t do that? I guess u just need to mind ur own matter rather than collecting dosa by talking ill abt others.
Vivy,
I think that Sara is someone you know.
You need to be careful.
Some people just like to judge others for her own entertainment.
Sara , if you hate Vivy that much. If you think that she’s annoying, you shouldn’t be reading her blog. It’s you who are annoying. Go find psychiatrist rather than bashing people behind the screen. Seriously.
Sara, why r u so bitter? jealous isssiitt
Dear Sara,
Please try to be more constructive in your argument. No one gets why people like you bother commenting like this anyway. It doesn’t change perceptions of readers. It just makes them understand Vivy more (counter-productive?) No need to hide behind a facade of self-righteousness la. If you’re jealous, just say it. If you want to compete, then please do enlighten us on how you propose to juggle two jobs while pregnant?
Try to find peace with yourself man.
Readers can we please ignore what sara said..she wont understand our positive advice pun…all she knows is negative vibes..so let her live in her own world..lets focus about this post…buhsan la baca comments about sara…not worth it pun kalau layan dia..lagipun vivy dah ckp dah on her previous post…this is nothing to her..tak luak pun pada hidup dia kan…so true fashion designerssss ape lagi enter aaaa….
Oh please. She acts humble to you so you’d buy stuff at FV. She is aware her followings are mostly kakak2 bertudung who go “oh Vivy so baik, so humble, yada yada yada”.
In reality, when it comes to her closest circle, the richer you are, the nicer she is to you. Ask her ‘friends’.
Sara: Interesting..prove it
Sara, berani la cakap macam tu kan, since you’re hiding behind anonymity. I pray that God gives you mercy by protecting your maruah and any of your shortcomings from public. Especially when you’re this merciless to others.
Hope whatever misgivings Vivy did to you, you’ll find peace with it.
Oh man, terrible huh, vivy u shd never respond this attention seeker? funny la this girl
lol…Sara..you sound like a victim now. Did Vivy reject your friendship cos you’re not rich enough or something? Go do something beneficial instead of trying to bring people who are waaaaaay on top down. You’re starting to sound like a joke so please, do yourself and the world a favour by disappearing. Thanks! Stop feeling so sorry for yourself and work to reach to higher levels without being envious of what other people have π
poor and pity sara. whatever u gonna said,we love vivy and proud with her Proudduck. who/whatever she did ,she just being herself , better u backoff bcuz u just show ur true colors to the WORLD for being the most Negative Person. =p
Wouldn’t want to have a friendship with a girl who preaches to others about her greatness and how hardworking she is when her idea of never giving up is bothering her dad early in the morning asking for a stupid bag.. She is so holy and baik right? Those days she were dating fadza back in london and were travelling everywhere together, just two of them..balik sini buat cerita baru that her mum makes sure she has a third person following her for dates (cus she has kakak-kakak bertudung followings and she needs to appeal to this group luls)
Puhleese.
Owh puhleese lah Sara. Stop being so bitter.
Welcome to the real world. That’s how life is. Dunia~~
That woman has proven success with her self marketing strategy through her blogs and online business. What ever she does, are her ways to a better life… for her and family.
Yang kau sibuk sibuk nak make everyone dislike her apehal?
This is not your tadika world lah, boleh influence people to dislike others and jatuhkan org lain.
You get what you deserve, nothing more nothing less.
Chill lah sista… Rezeki ada di mana mana.
No need to make others know whatever truth about her attitude or what not, because if it’s the truth, sooner or later people are bound to know.
Kalau dah sakit hati sgt with her success and wealth, go do something that takes your mind off her success and look for one of your own.
Tak payah nak check check her latest news and updates, buat urself lagi sakit hati and YOLO. Perangai sakit hati dgn org lain yg lebih cantik and successful mcm ko nih Sara, ialah perangai org yang suka ikut hati binasa and senang sgt kene influence dgn setan to menjatuhkan org lain.
Get a grip of yourself and be a bitch with style and NOT bercerita buruk hal org lain and mengajak org menyampah sama with the people yang you menyampah. Childish idiot.
She is a public figure now and she has to ensure her attitude and image disenangi ramai. Dia ada business dia sendiri yang DIA kene jaga, not you. Kenapa you nak jatuhkan dia? She is getting halal rezeki from God and you are not happy with that??
Who are you to judge what ever she did in the past? What do you know about the deals between her mom and dad? Kalau dia dah berubah, what do you know?
You’re just jealous because she gets to whine to her daddy every morning for a bag and you dont. Well, HER DAD LOVES HER. LIVE WITH IT. People like you lah yang suka nak menjatuhkan bangsa sendiri. Berlagak konon modern and open minded, LOOK AT YOUR BEHAVIOR NOW?? SORE LOSER GILER.
Dear sara, im so kesian at you, darling,get a life okay:)
“Just senyap lah”
You come to a person’s “house” then you act like she’s the intruder. What great manners.
What’s up with the YOLO remark Maz Ahmad? Luls. Go rot in your kampungness. Ciao bella~
Great story Sara. Great story about Viv, her dad, Fadza and that stupid bag π You worked for Vivy I suppose, as you heard morning conversations between Vivy and her dad? hahahahah! I know, you were FIRED and you;re so bitter now! Understandable π
For all you know, Maz Ahmad is Vivy. Luls
For all you know, Sara is just a mentally challenged, dissatisfied, unsuccessful, jealous and needs-a-bitch-slap hoe! luls π
How sure are you? You are just equally pathetic, if not more. I’m just trolling but here you are, refreshing the page to wait for my comments.. Lolz
Your replies shows how mentally unstable you are. You have my sympathy. Go seek help yeah π
So kesian. Kampung pun kampung lah… at least Im happy with my life. You’re not π
Kasihan dgn org yang sakit otak.
Owh BTW, thanks for saying I’m Vivy… It’s a compliment and I’m honoured!
Hi five Vivy! hahahah LOOL
Oh yes..I am anticipating your comments. Just because I’ve not seen anyone stoop so low to prove a point. In this case, a baseless point. Someone needs to learn to accept rejection straight in the face.
Dear Vivy, whoever this stupid Sara is, she sure is someone you know, since she knows SO much about your personal life? haha…ignore. A dog can bark at the sun for shining brightly, but the sun can’t do much but to shine brighter.
Someone needs to chill out π Trolling is fun, you sound like you’re just mad jealous of Vivy.
Why bother instigate and give this Sara cheap thrill… Clearly she’s enjoying herself.
sorry, but what’s YOLO?
You Only Live once
Hi purses!
Just to clarify what YOLO is: Live it, Love it.
http://www.collegehumor.com/embed/6866785/the-lonely-island-yolo-ft-adam-levine-kendrick-lamar
Just to lighten the mood.
Sara, hiding behind the mask of anonymity is very cowardly. Sounds like you know Vivy on a personal level. If you have a problem with her, have the guts to confront her face to face. Not writing malicious comments in a blogpost. Now try to get rid of the hate in your heart. Chill and get an ice cream or something.
i just wanna point out that badgers are cute animals. that is all
wo shi bian fu xia. wan an
Sara ( and all other silly nickname masking the same person) … Since u feel that vivy deserves so much of your shallow bickering.. Why dont you just tell her off face to face once she has delivered, instead of stalking her blog? Obviously u know where to find her. Settle it once and for all! Or perhaps u should start a blog…. The one that rants about why u hate vivy so much.. Lets see how much you could pour in before you start to feel sick of yourself.
Yo Sars! Can I call u that, Sara??
It’s me, Andy Samberg, creator of the kind-to-yourself YOLO campaign. U know it’s super exciting to meet a troll like you. U beautiful, babe! People gotta quit hating on you and realise “She’s troubled. She’s looking for friends, acceptance and this Queen Vivy wont accept her and it hurts!”.
But what ever it is, know that Andy loves you, we’ll be on a boat with our nautical themed pashmina afghans, then we take a cake and THROW IT ON THE GROUND!
So there you go proudduckers! Sara and Me, Andy, are not part of your system. We are mother lovers. U can’t buy us, hot dog man!
-love, Andy (I’m besties with justin timberlake)
** look, it’s my D in a box!
Kelakar la andy nih..hahahahhha…really made my day..