In 2022, former news presenter Amanda Andrea Koh asked a dog hotel what would happen if her dog boarded for 30 days without paying extra for walks. The answer: she would stay in her playpen for 30 days straight.

That conversation became Doggy School Bus, a dog daycare, boarding and enrichment business in Petaling Jaya and Hartamas. A bright orange “school bus” takes dogs to off-leash parks for regular adventure sessions, and the business also offers swimming, grooming and doggy events. It turned profitable within six months, has grown into a seven-figure business, and is still fully bootstrapped.

Amanda joins us to talk about why pet care is a serious business, the operations behind looking after living beings, rising costs and a near-threefold jump in rent, and how to scale without losing the heart.

In 2022, former news presenter Amanda Andrea Koh asked a dog hotel what would happen if her dog boarded for 30 days without paying extra for walks. The answer: she would stay in her playpen for 30 days straight.That conversation became Doggy School Bus, a dog daycare, boarding and enrichment business in Petaling Jaya and Hartamas. A bright orange “school bus” takes dogs to off-leash parks for regular adventure sessions, and the business also offers swimming, grooming and doggy events. It turned profitable within six months, has grown into a seven-figure business, and is still fully bootstrapped.Amanda joins us to talk about why pet care is a serious business, the operations behind looking after living beings, rising costs and a near-threefold jump in rent, and how to scale without losing the heart.

All Aboard the Doggy School Bus!

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.

From Longhouse to Landmark: Tanoti Weaves Its Way to Kuala Lumpur

A neurodivergent child might see a therapist once a week, spend five days in a classroom and every evening at home. But the therapist, the teacher and the parent are rarely on the same page.

Sejolly, a Malaysian social enterprise founded in 2022, builds tools to close that gap. Its app, Rootin, lets therapists, educators and parents share session plans, progress data, individual education plans and more than 160 short video models that parents can follow at home. The company also runs training, assessments and home-based therapy, and in 2025 it completed a programme with Yayasan PETRONAS and JPN Selangor across 30 public schools.

It made about RM295,000 in revenue last year, up 88 per cent, and has been profitable for two years running, while giving one free Rootin account to an underserved family for every ten that are paid for.

Co-founders Khadijah Yunos and Aishah Md Nor join us to talk about building a business around a problem they lived with for years, and balancing impact with commercial sustainability.

A neurodivergent child might see a therapist once a week, spend five days in a classroom and every evening at home. But the therapist, the teacher and the parent are rarely on the same page.Sejolly, a Malaysian social enterprise founded in 2022, builds tools to close that gap. Its app, Rootin, lets therapists, educators and parents share session plans, progress data, individual education plans and more than 160 short video models that parents can follow at home. The company also runs training, assessments and home-based therapy, and in 2025 it completed a programme with Yayasan PETRONAS and JPN Selangor across 30 public schools.It made about RM295,000 in revenue last year, up 88 per cent, and has been profitable for two years running, while giving one free Rootin account to an underserved family for every ten that are paid for.Co-founders Khadijah Yunos and Aishah Md Nor join us to talk about building a business around a problem they lived with for years, and balancing impact with commercial sustainability.

Rooting for Every Child: Sejolly and the System Around Neurodivergent Kids

Malaysians love biryani, but husband-and-wife Jatinder Singh Badwal and Kishpreet Bakshi, both from Punjab, felt something was missing here in KL: true dum biryani, sealed with dough and slow-cooked in a clay pot the way it’s made in Lucknow.

So in July 2025 they started The Biryani Company: biryani cooked to order in clay handis brought in from India, sealed, and delivered across KL in the pot it was cooked in. They still hold full-time jobs, and cook and deliver only at weekends. In their first year they made around RM55,000 in revenue, are already profitable, and have sent out more than 1,000 clay pots with a 4.9-star Google rating.

They join us to talk about the dum method, growing a weekend business, and their plans to go big with tourism and corporate clients.

Malaysians love biryani, but husband-and-wife Jatinder Singh Badwal and Kishpreet Bakshi, both from Punjab, felt something was missing here in KL: true dum biryani, sealed with dough and slow-cooked in a clay pot the way it’s made in Lucknow.So in July 2025 they started The Biryani Company: biryani cooked to order in clay handis brought in from India, sealed, and delivered across KL in the pot it was cooked in. They still hold full-time jobs, and cook and deliver only at weekends. In their first year they made around RM55,000 in revenue, are already profitable, and have sent out more than 1,000 clay pots with a 4.9-star Google rating.They join us to talk about the dum method, growing a weekend business, and their plans to go big with tourism and corporate clients.

Slow Cooked, Fast Growing: The Biryani Company’s Recipe for Growth

As homes across Malaysia prepare to light up for Deepavali, three friends are having their busiest weeks of the year. 

Parveena Selvarajah of Saray, Vinodhini Gangadara Vadivel of Muse by Vino, and Nithya Pushpanathan of Tablescapes by Nithya, each grew their own brand independently, from sarees to handbags to dining-wear, while cheering each other on. Along the way they also joined forces on cultural showcases like the Chitra Edit.

In this Deepavali special, all three join us in the studio to talk about building their brands, sourcing and curating for Malaysian customers, what the festive rush really looks like behind the scenes, and why friendship might be the best business strategy they have.

As homes across Malaysia prepare to light up for Deepavali, three friends are having their busiest weeks of the year. Parveena Selvarajah of Saray, Vinodhini Gangadara Vadivel of Muse by Vino, and Nithya Pushpanathan of Tablescapes by Nithya, each grew their own brand independently, from sarees to handbags to dining-wear, while cheering each other on. Along the way they also joined forces on cultural showcases like the Chitra Edit.In this Deepavali special, all three join us in the studio to talk about building their brands, sourcing and curating for Malaysian customers, what the festive rush really looks like behind the scenes, and why friendship might be the best business strategy they have.

Behind the Glow: The Real Business of Deepavali Retail

Alex Koh grew up in a Bata shoe store run by his parents, and spent more than 20 years designing and developing shoes for brands like Hush Puppies, Vincci and Bata, and making hardware in China for factories that supplied Jimmy Choo and Burberry.

In January 2024 he launched his own label, Scenshuz: women’s heels designed in Kuala Lumpur and handmade in Malaysia, built on a simple idea that beautiful shoes shouldn’t have to hurt. One month later, he lost his sister, the person who inspired the brand and believed in it first.

Bootstrapped and sold mostly through pop-ups and Instagram, Scenshuz is now doing between RM650,000 and RM700,000 a year in revenue. Alex joins us to talk about designing shoes for women, building a brand on comfort, and finding purpose through grief.

Alex Koh grew up in a Bata shoe store run by his parents, and spent more than 20 years designing and developing shoes for brands like Hush Puppies, Vincci and Bata, and making hardware in China for factories that supplied Jimmy Choo and Burberry.In January 2024 he launched his own label, Scenshuz: women’s heels designed in Kuala Lumpur and handmade in Malaysia, built on a simple idea that beautiful shoes shouldn’t have to hurt. One month later, he lost his sister, the person who inspired the brand and believed in it first.Bootstrapped and sold mostly through pop-ups and Instagram, Scenshuz is now doing between RM650,000 and RM700,000 a year in revenue. Alex joins us to talk about designing shoes for women, building a brand on comfort, and finding purpose through grief.

How a Bata Shop Kid Built a Malaysian Heels Brand

After nearly two decades working with international game studios including Ubisoft, EA and Unity, Alitt Khaliq returned to Malaysia to build a game development company of his own. Founded in 2024 with Brian Kim, Albrite Studios is developing its first original title, Project XII, while taking on selected development partnerships to support their growth.

Alitt joins us to discuss the business of building a game studio in Malaysia, the realities of financing and developing original game IP, and what it takes for a Malaysian studio to compete in the global PC and console market.

We discuss:


Why Alitt left established international studios to build a company in Malaysia.


The business case for developing original games rather than focusing solely on outsourced work.


What it takes to finance and bring an original game to market.


How Albrite balances original IP development with co-development projects.


The ambition to grow into a sustainable studio with a portfolio of original titles.

After nearly two decades working with international game studios including Ubisoft, EA and Unity, Alitt Khaliq returned to Malaysia to build a game development company of his own. Founded in 2024 with Brian Kim, Albrite Studios is developing its first original title, Project XII, while taking on selected development partnerships to support their growth.Alitt joins us to discuss the business of building a game studio in Malaysia, the realities of financing and developing original game IP, and what it takes for a Malaysian studio to compete in the global PC and console market.We discuss:<ul><li>Why Alitt left established international studios to build a company in Malaysia.</li><li>The business case for developing original games rather than focusing solely on outsourced work.</li><li>What it takes to finance and bring an original game to market.</li><li>How Albrite balances original IP development with co-development projects.</li><li>The ambition to grow into a sustainable studio with a portfolio of original titles.</li></ul>

From Ubisoft to Albrite: Building a Malaysian Game Studio

Daryl Diong started Z21 in 2019, when he was 20, with RM5,000. Today Z21 is the centre of three companies. Z21 builds online stores designed to turn visitors into buyers, Convex focuses on web optimisation, and A22A trains companies to use AI in marketing and content. Together they help brands connect with customers directly through their own websites and build a stronger presence on social media. Z21 has been profitable since its first month, with clients including Love, Bonito, Clarks and Naelofar.

Daryl Diong started Z21 in 2019, when he was 20, with RM5,000. Today Z21 is the centre of three companies. Z21 builds online stores designed to turn visitors into buyers, Convex focuses on web optimisation, and A22A trains companies to use AI in marketing and content. Together they help brands connect with customers directly through their own websites and build a stronger presence on social media. Z21 has been profitable since its first month, with clients including Love, Bonito, Clarks and Naelofar.

Inside the Z21 Ecosystem

Malaysia’s kopitiam culture owes a great deal to the Hainanese: the kopi roasted with butter and sugar, the kaya toast, the chicken chop. But many of the old recipes and methods are being simplified, or quietly disappearing.

JJ Phun grew up in that tradition. His family’s story goes back to a 1938 coffee shop at the Kluang railway station, and in 2005 he took that heritage to the Klang Valley as Kluang Station, opening its first outlet at 1 Utama.

Now he and his brother are starting again with Arang, a modern Hainanese kopitiam they launched in 2026. It is self-funded, and they say it is already a seven-figure business in its first year.

JJ joins us to talk about turning heritage into a business, what two decades of running kopitiams has taught him, and why culture only survives when it stays commercially relevant.

Malaysia’s kopitiam culture owes a great deal to the Hainanese: the kopi roasted with butter and sugar, the kaya toast, the chicken chop. But many of the old recipes and methods are being simplified, or quietly disappearing.JJ Phun grew up in that tradition. His family’s story goes back to a 1938 coffee shop at the Kluang railway station, and in 2005 he took that heritage to the Klang Valley as Kluang Station, opening its first outlet at 1 Utama.Now he and his brother are starting again with Arang, a modern Hainanese kopitiam they launched in 2026. It is self-funded, and they say it is already a seven-figure business in its first year.JJ joins us to talk about turning heritage into a business, what two decades of running kopitiams has taught him, and why culture only survives when it stays commercially relevant.

Old School, New Brew: The Business of a Modern Hainanese Kopitiam

Everyone glamorises entrepreneurship. Jeremiah Su would rather talk about the part nobody posts: going broke, losing friends, and the loneliness of running a business with no one who really gets it.


After nearly two decades in branding and video production, including co-founding the agency Superminted, Jeremiah started The Beyond in 2022. It began as a group of business-owner friends complaining about bad clients, and has grown into a community he says has more than 800 members, built around “anti-networking”: games, live debates, karaoke and real talk, from Kuala Lumpur to Manila.


It is still bootstrapped and pre-revenue, backed by sponsors and partners, with a flagship festival, BeyondFest, returning to KL in November. Jeremiah joins us to talk about the culture of failure, whether community can become a real business, and what happens when the founder is the bottleneck.

Everyone glamorises entrepreneurship. Jeremiah Su would rather talk about the part nobody posts: going broke, losing friends, and the loneliness of running a business with no one who really gets it. After nearly two decades in branding and video production, including co-founding the agency Superminted, Jeremiah started The Beyond in 2022. It began as a group of business-owner friends complaining about bad clients, and has grown into a community he says has more than 800 members, built around “anti-networking”: games, live debates, karaoke and real talk, from Kuala Lumpur to Manila. It is still bootstrapped and pre-revenue, backed by sponsors and partners, with a flagship festival, BeyondFest, returning to KL in November. Jeremiah joins us to talk about the culture of failure, whether community can become a real business, and what happens when the founder is the bottleneck.

Beyond Networking: Turning Founder Loneliness into a Business

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.

Open For Business

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