TURNING HOBBIES INTO SMALL BUSINESSES

A. Weekend Baker
Aisyah started baking brownies in her mother's kitchen to sell to classmates and neighbours. Her rich, chewy recipes quickly became a hit. By taking orders through a messaging app and always delivering on time, she gained a long list of loyal customers. Aisyah now keeps a spreadsheet of her sales to see which flavours are popular, plan her weekly menu and avoid wasting ingredients, helping her home business grow steadily.

B. Batik Workshops
Farid runs one-day batik workshops for tourists and school groups in his village. He shows participants how to draw patterns with hot wax and colour the cloth with natural dyes. When a large group books a session, his cousins help him guide the participants. Every visitor goes home with a scarf they painted themselves. Farid reads every feedback form to find out which patterns visitors enjoy most.

C. Preloved Fashion Store
Mei Ling sells preloved clothes through her own online store. She photographs every item in natural light and writes honest descriptions that point out any small flaws. Many buyers come back because they trust her suggestions on how to mix and match outfits. Mei Ling adds new stock every Friday night at the same time, so her customers know exactly when to check her page.

D. Freelance Illustrator
Daniel is a young illustrator who draws pictures for children's books and posters. He keeps trying new brushes and drawing apps to sharpen his style. Publishers and small companies sometimes hire him for one-off commissions, which add to his portfolio. Posting his sketches online helps him promote his work, receive comments and reach new clients. Each project helps him grow as an artist.

E. Bicycle Repair Corner
Hafiz repairs bicycles at a small stall in front of his house. Neighbours bring him flat tyres, loose chains and squeaky brakes, and he explains each problem before he fixes it. Every repair is done carefully and tested on the road. On Saturday mornings he also teaches younger children basic bicycle care, so that they can keep their own bicycles safe and in good condition.

F. Pallet Furniture Maker
Zul collects old wooden pallets and turns them into upcycled furniture such as benches, shelves and plant stands. He films each step and posts short videos that show viewers how the furniture is made. His buyers like knowing that no tree was cut down to make it. By selling at weekend markets and answering questions online, he has built a steady base of customers.