In 2012, a banker took over a struggling songket workshop in Kuching that was about to close. Fourteen years later, Tanoti works with more than 800 artisans across 25 rural and remote communities in Sarawak, weaving songket, pua kumbu ikat and rattan into fashion, accessories and homeware.

This year, the Sarawakian social enterprise made its biggest move yet: a pop-up at Isetan KLCC, its first solo runway show at KL Fashion Week, and now its first Kuala Lumpur flagship at 118 Mall, in the shadow of Merdeka 118.

Dato’ Jacqueline Fong returns to Open For Business to talk about shifting from hotels and corporate clients to individual shoppers, putting weavers on stage in a musical, bringing the world’s textile makers to a longhouse, and what it takes to make heritage craft a business that lasts.

In 2012, a banker took over a struggling songket workshop in Kuching that was about to close. Fourteen years later, Tanoti works with more than 800 artisans across 25 rural and remote communities in Sarawak, weaving songket, pua kumbu ikat and rattan into fashion, accessories and homeware.This year, the Sarawakian social enterprise made its biggest move yet: a pop-up at Isetan KLCC, its first solo runway show at KL Fashion Week, and now its first Kuala Lumpur flagship at 118 Mall, in the shadow of Merdeka 118.Dato’ Jacqueline Fong returns to Open For Business to talk about shifting from hotels and corporate clients to individual shoppers, putting weavers on stage in a musical, bringing the world’s textile makers to a longhouse, and what it takes to make heritage craft a business that lasts.

The flagship entrepreneurship show on BFM, featuring personal business stories from early stage start-ups, all the way to billionaire octogenarians in Malaysia and abroad. Notable guests include Martin Cooper (father of the mobile phone), Julian Assange (founder of WikiLeaks), Ralph Henry Baer (father of video games), Tony Buzan (Mindmap Guru), Isaac Tigrett (Hard Rock Cafe founder), Robert Kiyosaki (Financial Guru), Nick Vujicic (motivational speaker) and more. Tap into this valuable resource of shared experiences for the SME industry, which also touches on news, issues and trends affecting the business community and beyond.

Open For Business

Discover fresh concepts, tackle obstacles, and unleash growth - Open For Business is the dynamic show where BFM engages with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry trailblazers, igniting inspiration, sparking success, and exploring new business models.