YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR:
Shazlan Sufian
What is your business about?
My business involves creating and selling very niche products online. Currently I am focusing on informational/educational products that can be bought and downloaded online e.g. PDF Books. But I plan to add other type of products like software in the future.
What inspired you to start your own business?
I have always wanted to be part of a successful business, even from a very young age. However, it has only been the past 3 to 5 years that I felt that I wanted to own my own business. I think there are some obvious reasons why one might want to own their own business e.g. money, own boss, time flexibility etc. And all of them had a part in my decision to start.
But what started me moving in this direction was knowing what I didn't want anymore. I just grew tired of working for someone else i.e. working very hard and long hours for something/someone and not being able to receive the ultimate reward/benefit from it. I just started to think, if I am going to work this hard and this much, I might as well work for myself.
What were your previous jobs before you started your own business?
My professional background has always been in banking. Specifically an area in banking called Cash Management. I have worked for 2 foreign banks at the local and regional level. My last position was in a local bank here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where I headed the Sales division for Cash Management.
What do you like best about being an entrepreneur?
In my particular business, I really like that I am not stuck doing the same thing over and over again (things are always new). Once I have finished creating and setting up a particular product, I can then start to think about the next.
Yes, there are certain fundamentals in developing, selling and maintaining the product. But each new product idea brings a new set of challenges and excitement. I feel quite lucky because this aspect of my business suits my personality very well.
What challenges do you face being an entrepreneur?
Right now, owning a very new business and being the only person running it, my challenge is to stay on course and not have my hands in too many different things, just yet (So focus and discipline is key). It sounds pretty obvious, but I really found that it was a challenge.
I can afford to do other types of businesses/ventures later. But for now my focus is very laser sharp on what I am doing now to ensure its success i.e. one step at a time
What are your business goals for the future?
Ultimately, I would like to build and own several successful businesses. It will take some time of course, but like I said earlier, one step at a time. And then later I will just be able to do it faster.
Check out Shazlan's website at www.shazlansufian.com 
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