Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, December 18, 2023 - Shopee premiered a groundbreaking documentary "Shopee Rai Lokal” at this year’s Shopee Super Awards 2023. The documentary follows the stories of three homegrown sellers who have shattered barriers and achieved success in e-commerce.
"This film is a love letter to Malaysian entrepreneurs," said Shopee Head of Marketing, Kenneth Soh. "We want to remind Malaysians buying local that behind the online storefronts, there are many people and communities who our sellers support; this documentary is a testament to their intelligence, resilience, and values.”
"Shopee Rai Lokal'' is an inspiring and thought-provoking look at the challenges and triumphs of sellers in their journey to finding their niche online. The film features interviews with Edward Wong of HomeDecoStore, Felicia Tan of Mamami Shoppe, and Mohd Zaid of Lampu Cherita. They share their personal stories of overcoming obstacles, starting small, and achieving sustained growth in their respective fields.
The documentary, Shopee’s first in Malaysia, was produced in collaboration with an award-winning indie filmmaker whose work has been featured at numerous film festivals, television, and streaming networks.
“By sharing this documentary, we hope to inspire others to reach for their dreams online. We are also making it easy for Malaysians to shop local by spotlighting super star sellers and capturing their stories,” said Soh.
Edward Wong of HomeDecoStore
HomeDecoStore founder Edward Wong transitioned to entrepreneurship on Shopee post-pandemic, navigating the challenges after his career as a flight instructor was disrupted. Self-taught in all aspects of his startup, he, along with E-commerce Assistant Asmanissa Kamaruzaman, found success with the popular mini sejadah (prayer mat). Through engaging Shopee Live sessions, Edward integrated customer preferences into his designs, with the best-selling HDS Sejadah Muka witnessing bulk purchases of up to 10,000 pieces in two to three weeks, reflecting appreciation for Malaysia's cultural diversity and traditions during events like kenduri.
"I want to emphasize that young graduates, despite being an underappreciated category of sellers in comparison to well-known multinationals, are dedicating themselves to building long-term careers in online marketing. I hope we spark a wider conversation on what it’s like to have local entrepreneurs represented on camera. Everyone's journey matters as much as the end goal; we need to enjoy the journey and adapt if anything comes up along the way. The support and recognition we receive on Shopee is truly invaluable. With average bulk orders of 200 to 300 pieces and approximately 1,000 pieces sold weekly, our success is a testament to our team's hard work and dedication," said Edward Wong, founder of HomeDecoStore.
Felicia Tan of Mamami Shoppe
Founded in 2008 as a tribute to Felicia Tan's mother, "Mama," Mamami Shoppe promotes a health-conscious lifestyle inspired by Mama's teachings. With a presence on Shopee since 2017, the company connects with health-conscious consumers across Malaysia, fueling its growth through positive word-of-mouth. Today, Mamami Shoppe now proudly employs over 50% women, contributing to gender diversity in its workforce, and has positively impacted the lives of around 30 locals, 20 vendors, and their dependents.
“In today’s society, it’s so rare to just have three neighborhood sellers talk, isn't it? I feel so fortunate to have this emotionally intelligent team from Shopee come in and genuinely uncover our journey in transitioning from traditional to digital… We didn’t stage anything. We just walked the aisles and they found our gems,” said Felicia Tan, founder-owner of Mamami Shoppe.
“I am grateful to be supported by a loving family, who has allowed me to grow this business that started off from a home-office as I grappled with the delicate dance of balancing business demands and family ties. Today, we have grown to have over six warehouses, and it is our hope that we can continue to expand our nourishing touch to new horizons in Latin America and the Middle East in the future,” added Felicia.
Mohd Zaid of Lampu Cherita
After a nine-year search for his true calling, Mohd Zaid of Lampu Cherita found his passion for candle making. Recognizing a gap in the market for affordable scents, he founded Lampu Cherita, hand-pouring 50 to 100 candles daily from his home in Kajang with the support of his family and two part-time staff. Despite challenges like floods and financial constraints, he remained undeterred, interacting with customers on Shopee, gathering feedback, and accepting personalized orders on Shopee Live. Beyond his business, he also actively supports other sellers as a Shopee Bintang member.
“It’s the power of storytelling. I’ve spent the last few years figuring out how many different businesses failed while I was at Astro before I finally found my niche online with candles. I’ve had rainstorms flood my inventory and put out the lights on my savings. I know what it means to use livestream and storytelling online to get through some tough times. It is my dream that every home in Malaysia will be filled with the scent of Lampu Cherita candles,” said Mohd Zaid, founder of Lampu Cherita.
Shopee Rai Lokal is part of a series of authentic stories told across various channels, aiming to spotlight local sellers and promote the importance of buying local. This initiative is a testament to Shopee's dedication to driving greater inclusion in the marketplace and utilizing technology to build and strengthen communities.
