New Shell video celebrates LiveWIRE Malaysia pilot success

The video features messages from the Chairman of Shell Malaysia, along with endorsements from government ministers and LiveWIRE alumni.

Launched in August 2015, the Shell LiveWIRE Malaysia pilot programme was delivered in Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, a state in Malaysia where Shell has key offshore operations. Demand for places on the Bright Ideas (BI) enterprise awareness workshops far exceeded the number of places available. Sixty young people attended the BI one day workshops, which enabled them to consider and develop the types of business ideas that could be viable. Of these, 30 participants who developed sound business ideas during the day were invited to attend a Become a Successful Owner Manager (BSOM) enterprise development programme in October 2015. This enabled participants to develop the key skills required to research their business model and develop a viable business plan. As a result of the intensive BSOM enterprise development programme, and the ongoing advice and mentoring, ten business plans were produced and three of the most promising entrepreneurs each received seed funding of RM 10,000 (US $2,400) to kick start their enterprises. Participants also benefited from exclusive mentoring with Shell executives, and will continue to receive business development support from the pilot programme’s delivery partner, Borneo MAD, for up to three years.

Speaking on the video, Datuk Iain Lo, Chairman, Shell Malaysia, said, “We piloted LiveWIRE in Sabah in 2015, starting in Kota Kinabalu with 60 entrepreneurs going through the programme.

“Out of that pilot, three winners have been chosen to be funded by Shell, and we will launch this programme fully now both in Sarawak and Sabah. We expect about 150 more entrepreneurs to be put through and hopefully we will get five winners each from Sabah and Sarawak as businesses that we can sponsor.”

The success of the LiveWIRE pilot programme in Sabah has not gone unnoticed among key regional stakeholders, who paid their tributes on the video. Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, Chief Minister of Sabah, said, “Through the LiveWIRE programme, Shell once again demonstrates its commitment to growing Malaysian talent, especially in Sabah.

“The programme not only trains and equips entrepreneurs, it also inspires them to dream bigger and achieve greater heights.

“By improving the skills and effectiveness of local entrepreneurs, it will strengthen the local economy, ensuring mutual benefits for both Sabah and Shell.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Shell for bringing LiveWIRE here and to congratulate them on a successful launch!”

Datuk Seri Panglima Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, Ministry of Industrial Development for Sabah, Deputy Chief Minister, said, “Looking at the participants, I am very much encouraged by the fact that I’m looking at a group of very young entrepreneurs, and I can also see that they have great potential.

“They go through a course that will guide them in order to make sure that their big ideas could actually mature and make them into successful entrepreneurs.”

One of the LiveWIRE alumni to receive start-up funding of RM 10k (US $2,400) from Shell is Lisa Sabrina Ambrose. She decided to give up her job in the hospitality sector to start her own food ordering marketplace and delivery business, Tapaubah.com, with the help of Shell LiveWIRE.

“LiveWIRE has not only helped me validate my business idea, it is currently helping me fulfil my ambition. When I left my career in the hospitality sector to pursue my business dream, I faced a lot of uncertainty and doubt about my future,” said Lisa.

“The turning point for me was the Become a Successful Owner Manager workshop, where I realised what a unique entrepreneurial programme LiveWIRE really is. The guidance and mentoring support that continued after the workshop gave me the push to pursue Tapaubah.com.

“The ongoing mentoring from Shell LiveWIRE has enabled me to fine tune my vision and has really helped me to stay on track.”

Caroline Shirley Joimer approached Shell LiveWIRE in order to turn her passion for herbal medicines into a commercial venture. Currently a civil servant, Caroline’s entrepreneurial ambition is about to come to fruition thanks to Shell LiveWIRE.

Explaining the impact of Shell LiveWIRE on her entrepreneurial journey so far, Caroline said, “I’ve always wanted to use and develop my knowledge of traditional herbs into something that can replace prescriptive and manufactured medicine. But having the knowledge and starting a business are two very different things.

“There were a lot of struggles early on as I always found my progress blocked by my lack of understanding of how the entrepreneurial scene works. Many years in, and participating in various entrepreneurial workshops, the only one that has truly brought results for me is the Shell LiveWIRE programme.

“With the knowledge from the LiveWIRE workshops, I am also more confident that I have what it takes to become successful. Before this, I would not even have known where to begin.”

Serial entrepreneur Yudha Yunianto, who had previously run businesses involved in the agriculture and automotive sectors, approached LiveWIRE for support after identifying a gap in the market for better quality martabak (a folded pastry with savoury or sweet fillings) in the local market.

Yudha said, “I have attended many entrepreneurial programmes but none of them come close to the Shell LiveWIRE programme. Programmes I’ve attended in the past often left me in the lurch at the end of the programme as the participants would not know what the next steps to progress their business would be. When I attended the LiveWIRE programme the direction to further develop my business became very clear.”

His dedication and efforts during the BI and BSOM workshops were noticed and earned him a RM10,000 (US $2,400) grant to kick start his business. With this injection of funds, Yudha purchased a machine to automate his processes, improving production by 100%.

“Through LiveWIRE I learned how to start my business the right way. And now, I’ve opened the first ‘Martabaking’ stall in May 2016; the first of many,” said Yudha.

In a message to the entrepreneurs who have taken part in the pilot LiveWIRE programme Datuk Iain Lo, Chairman, Shell Malaysia, said, “I wish all the LiveWIRE entrepreneurs success in starting up their businesses and making them successful.”