MRCA 8TV 2011 Entrepreneur Awards has found its finalist!

Petaling Jaya, 18th October 2011 – Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. The Malaysian Retailer Chains Association (MRCA) and 8TV’s MRCA 8TV Entrepreneur Awards will be held for the third year running. The inaugural awards launched on 30th July 2009, is designed to celebrate and recognize the achievements of Malaysian entrepreneurs in addition to inspiring local entrepreneurs to take their businesses beyond Malaysia, expanding to the regional and international front. Apart from this its aim is to build support for Malaysian entrepreneurs via the industry and public recognition.

The Awards night, held on the 17th of January this year at the One World Hotel Ballroom, showcased a night that was graced by Yang Berhormat Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and leaders of the industry who have built valuable brands. Three entrepreneurs who shone brightly as they were handed out the awards were, Entrepreneur of the Year, YBhg Dato’ Steven Sim Leong Thun of Secret Recipe Cakes & Café Sdn Bhd, Most Innovative Entrepreneur, Madam Christy Wong Ming Fai of Baagus Curtain Sdn Bhd and Up and Coming Entrepreneur, Mr Adnan Lee Chong Fatt Bin Abdullah of MBG Fruits Sdn Bhd respectively.

This year, the judging panel chose the nominees based on the judging guidelines as per these 8 Core Qualities. The 8 Core Qualities which the nominees were judged on were:

1. business growth
2. strong vision, mission and strategic planning
3. constant product/service innovation and quality
4. admirable leadership and management skills
5. risk taker and resilient despite obstacles
6. good human resource and corporate social responsibility practices
7. brand impacts the Malaysian community and economy
8. The potential to leave an inspiring legacy for future generations of Malaysian entrepreneurs.

From more than 30 applicants that applied for the awards this time around, the 2011 MRCA 8TV Entrepreneur Award nominations have been narrowed down to:

AIVORIA GROUP SDN BHD	MR TEO AI SIONG	Managing Director
BAGUS CURTAIN SDN BHD	MR SEAK THEAN POW	Managing Director
COUPON HOUZ SDN BHD	EN NIZRAN BIN NOORDIN	Chief Operating Officer
FELLA DESIGN SDN BHD	MR YU KONG CING	Group Operations Manager
FIRE FIGHTER INDUSTRY	MS MICHELLE HAH	Director
HOUZ DEPOT SDN BHD	MR DEREK CHEW	Group Chief Executive Officer
KING'S CONFECTIONERY SDN BHD	MR ANDY PHANG SENG KEE	Chief Operating Officer
LOOB HOLDING (CHATIME)	MR BRYAN LOO WOI LIP	Managing Director
MIRACLES COSMETICS MARKETING (M) SDN BHD	MR KELWIN LIM	Executive Director
PURPLE CANE GROUP OF COMPANY	MR LIM HOCK LAM	Managing Director
SEG INTERNATIONAL BERHAD	DATO SERI CLEMENT HII	Group Managing Director
SENHENG ELECTRIC (KL) SDN BHD	MR LIM KIM HENG	Managing Director
THE LEGEND'S FAMILY CURRY HOUSE SDN BHD	DATO DR S VELAITHAM	Founder & CEO
UNIVERSAL TRAVELLER SHOP SDN BHD	MS IRENE KUAK	Deputy General Manager
VISIBER SDN BHD	DATO PATRICK TAN DATO DAVID HEW	Group Executive Chairman Group Int. CEO
VITALITY BOOST SDN BHD	DR SORAYA RAHIM ISMAIL	Managing Director & Founder
101 HAIR CARE SDN BHD	MR THYE KOK LAM	Managing Director

Each award nominee received a two minute feature on the 8TV Mandarin News and ntv7 7Edition every Thursday, a repeat run on the 8TV Midday Mandarin News every Friday, and special mentions on the 8TV Mandarin News, which is the number one prime time Mandarin News. Apart from that, nominees also received television promotions worth RM100,000 on 8TV and exclusive write-ups on each nominee in the partner newspaper Nanyang Siang Pau. Nominees also obtained highlights in MRCA publications and website.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the MRCA 8TV Entrepreneur Awards Finalist.” Said 8TV and ntv7 Group General Manager, Ms. Airin Zainul. Airin adds “Business opportunities are like buses, there's always another one coming. The important thing is not being afraid to take a chance. Remember, the greatest failure is to not try and for trying, all of you are already winners. It delights us that through this Award, the businesses of our nominees have grown significantly. 8TV and MRCA are indeed passionate and serious about promoting our Malaysian entrepreneurs.”

Also, the 2011 MRCA 8TV Entrepreneur Award welcomes Maxis as presenting sponsor.

“Maxis is proud to present 2011 MRCA 8TV Entrepreneur Award. We are pleased to be part of this Awards programme to celebrate the success of inspirational business leaders and provide motivation for others, said Kenneth Lee, General Manager, SME & Commercial Business, Maxis Berhad.

“Our commitment to develop Malaysian SMEs is clear. The SME sector has been and shall remain one of the key drivers of the nation's economic growth. SMEs contribute about 31% to GDP, 56% the workforce and account for 19% of total export. In view of both their significance and potential, the Government has given due recognition and allocated significant amount of funds and resources to further enhance the growth of this sector. We at Maxis are committed to help developing this segment, either by sharing of communications and technological tools that are relevant to their businesses or by connecting them to a network of professionals, aids, or like-minded entrepreneurs (community). Our end game is ultimately to develop home-grown talents, and we believe, that by working together (community), we can grow the business to the next level,” added Kenneth.