Did you know that based on 2019’s State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, women-owned businesses have grown 21% to a near total of 13 million which represents 42% of total businesses in America? Despite the never ending discrimination based challenges faced by women in the business field, if you’re passionate about a product or service or even just want to take a dive into the world of entrepreneurship, now is the best time than ever to start your very own female-owned business.
Keys to Becoming a Business Women
A businesswoman can be defined as a woman who works in business, owns her own business or has founded or co-founded a company, usually at a high or highest position.
Here are some keys tips on what it takes to become a businesswoman :
1. Get Educated
The foundation needed to become a successful businesswoman, besides a smart idea and a capital is a comprehensive education in areas of business. Program that you should choose is one that helps you learn how market trends work, principles of how to not only start and operate but also maintain a quality standard in ensuring a successful company. Besides being equipped with the facts of business, it is also crucial for you to educate yourself with knowledge within the business market and social world. To be successful, you would need to be able to recognize ‘trends’, opportunities and gaps in the market from different perspectives to capitalize on.
2. Be Determined and Assertive
Being a business owner, it is extremely important for you to stay motivated and focused on personal and business goals. A good business woman should have a balance in soft and hard power traits which puts women on a higher value in a leadership role. You should have traits such as optimism, initiative and resilience to be mentally ready to go through hardships throughout your journey of entrepreneurship.
3. Networking and Finding Mentors
To be inspired in what you do daily, it is important for you to enjoy networking. Building a network of mentors and peers through social events or online will enable you to grow personally and your brand tremendously through connections, collaborations and even partnership. Networking also functions as a form of inspiration and motivation as you are surrounded by individuals of the same mindset who are achieving similar goals to your own. With an increasing number of women entrepreneurs in the market, you will find more opportunities to form connections with other female mentors who will be able to guide you through successfully facing the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Top 5 Malaysian Business Women You Should Know
1. Vivy Yusof
Previously listed as one of “Asia’s Top 30 Under 30” on Forbes, Datin Vivy Sofinas Yusof (widely known as Yivy Yusof) is one of Malaysia’s most well known female entrepreneurs, especially in the Malay community. Besides being a wife and mother to 3 children, she is the co-founder of FashionValet, a multi-million dollar fashion e-commerce company and the dUck Group, a lifestyle brand which sells scarves, cosmetics, stationeries, bags and home & living. Vivy also is a social media icon with millions of followers supported by her passion for blogging and vlogging on her own Youtube channel. Her tremendous support in the public eye has gained her multiple prestigious awards such as “Young Entrepreneur Award from Tribute to Women Malaysia”, “Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian’s 2017 Top 5 Social Media Personality”, “Tatler’s 2017 Generation T List” and many more.
2. Datin Winnie Low
Datin Winnie Loo is one of Malaysia’s well known entrepreneurs in the hairstyling industry. Widely known as a Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director of her hairstyling success with her very own chain of both her high-end saloons “A Cut Above” and her quick cut budget salon known as “X-Cut”. Winnie has since opened over 15 outlets in various locations throughout Malaysia. To recognize her success,she has been presented with various awards for her remarkable pathway in Malaysia’s hairstyling industry such as “Most Innovative Woman Entrepreneur presented by Women In Leadership Forum Asia” and “Ernst and Young’s Woman Entrepreneur of the Year”.
3. Lee Jim Leng
Hong Leong Investment Bank’s CEO and group managing director, Lee Jim Leng is another female boss that you should know. Graduating with a Bachelor in Business Administration back in 1987, she chose her pathway in investment banking and has been doing it ever since. Besides being happily married with three beautiful children, Lee Jim Leng has worked in the banking industry making waves for the past 10 years. She has made remarkable contributions to HLIB which can be seen in it’s growth of market capitalisation over 10 times over 5 years.
4. Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir
Datin Paduka Marina binti Mahathir is a Malaysian socio-political activist and well-known author. Marina is known for using her voice in campaigning for what she strongly believes in such as women’s rights and discrimination based on sexual orientations. Besides her active involvement in many non-governmental organizations like Malaysian AIDS Foundation, she spends her time writing informational pieces in a column in “The Star” newspaper known as Musings. She also has books like “50 Days: Rantings by MM” in 1997 and “Telling It Straight” in 2012 which has sparked the interest of many Malaysian bookworms. Back in 2010, Marina was awarded UN Person of The Year for her active volunteering work in openly combating sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
5. Cheryl Yeoh
Cheryl Yeoh is yet another influential female boss to keep an eye out for. Having a strong presence in the world for entrepreneurship is not only Malaysia but internationally, Petaling Jaya-born Cheryl Yeoh was mainly based in Silicon Valley, San Francisco where she co-founded her first company called CityPockets which is a personalized list-making app which was then acquired by Walmart Labs. In 2014, Cheryl was appointed as Founding CEO of Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC) which made her return to Malaysia for good where she launched multiple programs to aid entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia.
What Course To Study To Become A Businesswomen
Here are some examples of majors you can choose from on your path in becoming a businesswoman :
1. Marketing
A major in marketing focuses on the study of branding and promotions of your specific products and services in the public eye. You will learn a wide range of study areas which includes advertising, communications, consumer behaviour and public relations along with skills and knowledge such as marketing strategy and research which will aid you in building and customizing your brand exactly the way you want it.
Career opportunities under this major includes :
- Market research analyst
- Marketing specialist
- Copywriter
- Advertising manager
- Promotion manager
2.Human Resource
A major in human resource focuses on the study of what goes on behind the scenes of a company or business. You will learn a wide range of study areas that focuses on the skills and knowledge needed for recruiting and retaining talent which includes the process of interviewing, hiring, training and motivating the employees of an organization.
Career opportunities under this major includes :
- Business advisor
- Human resources generalist
- Human resources associate
- Human resource manager
3. Finance
A major in finance focuses on the study of financial planning, investing, problem-solving and budgeting. You will learn areas of study such as economics, project management, accounting and how applying this information to your company and business aids in ensuring success in both short term and long term plans.
Career opportunities under this major includes :
- Financial analyst
- Financial manager
- Actuary
- Accountant
4. International Business
A major in international business focuses on the study of financial markets, global working cultures, global banking as well as international business management. You will learn areas of study which encompass basic business processes worldwide such as foreign language, international communication and operations. This major will be especially beneficial if you are seeking to take your future company globally.
Career opportunities under this major includes :
- Business development manager
- Operations associate
- Compliance officer
- Logistics specialist
Entry Requirement to Study Business Degree in Malaysia
Course | Results |
A-Level | Min. CCC |
STPM | Min. CC or CHPA 2.00 |
UEC | Min. 5Bs including Math & English |
Diploma/Foundation | Min. GPA 2.00 |
Entry requirements may differ based on different universities being applied to. Contact us for more info.
Top Universities to Study Business Degree in Malaysia
1. Monash University, Malaysia
Program | Bachelor of Business and Commerce Majors to choose from :
|
Intake (2021) | February, July and October |
Duration | 3 years (Full time) |
Indicative Annual Fees (2021) | Malaysian -RM38,213 per year Non-Malaysian – RM43,680 per year |
2. University of Nottingham, Malaysia
Program | Business Economics and Finance BSc (Hons) |
Intake (2021) | February and September |
Duration | 3 years (Full time) |
Indicative Annual Fees (2021) | Malaysian – RM38,500 per year Non-Malaysian – RM46,900 per year |
Program | Finance, Accounting and Management BSc (Hons) |
Intake (2021) | February and September |
Duration | 3 years (Full time) |
Indicative Annual Fees (2021) | Malaysian – RM 38,900 per year Non-Malaysian – RM 48,000 per year |
Program | International Business Management BSc (Hons) |
Intake (2021) | September |
Duration | 3 years (Full time) |
Indicative Annual Fees (2021) | Malaysian – RM 38,500 per year Non-Malaysian – RM 48,000 per year |
3. Taylor's University Lakeside Campus
Program | Bachelor of Business (Hons) Majors to choose from :
|
Intake (2021) | January, March and August |
Duration | 3 years (Full Time) |
Indicative Fees (2021) | Malaysian – RM 102,518 Non-Malaysian – RM122,235 |
4. Asia Pacific University (APU)
Types of Program Offered |
|
Intake (2021) | March, May and September |
Duration | 3 years (Full Time) |
Indicative Fees (2021) | Malaysian – RM 87,000 Non-Malaysian – RM88,200 |
5. UCSI University
Program | BSc (Hons) Financial Economics |
Intake (2021) | January, May and September |
Duration | 3 years (Full Time) |
Indicative Fees (2021) | Malaysian – RM 63,370 Non-Malaysian – RM 65,400 |
Program | BSc (Hons) Branding & Advertising |
Intake (2021) | January, May and September |
Duration | 3 years (Full Time) |
Indicative Fees (2021) | Malaysian – RM 63,310 Non-Malaysian – RM65,550 |
Program | BSc (Hons) Logistics Management |
Intake (2021) | January, May and September |
Duration | 3 years (Full Time) |
Indicative Fees (2021) | Malaysian – RM 63,330 Non-Malaysian – RM65,400 |
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About The Author
Raveena Rakni Suresh Raj
Leo baby & a psych major
