50 Women Entrepreneurs focus on Family Businesses at monthly “Sembang Sembang”

Panel of Malaysian businesswomen provide pointers on running a family business.

On January 25th, the first 2011 “Sembang Sembang” workshop aimed at empowering women to advance themselves economically and socially through entrepreneurship filled the Kuala Lumpur venue to capacity with 50 guests.  This “Sembang Sembang,” (Malay for ‘Casual Conversations’), with the theme  “Running a Family Business,” featured a panel of women business owners and entrepreneurs discussing the many challenges of running a family business as well as keys to success in doing so.  The women entrepreneurs shared tips, stories and challenges in running a business with family members, especially in terms of creating a professional barrier in a working environment while maintaining a healthy relationship as a family.  Panelists for this session included Lalitha Wemel of LTT Global Communications, Natasha Brand Palencia, Managing Director of Brabons Entertainment,  Sherena Razaly, Managing Director of Enak KL, and Datin Fawziah Abdul Ghani of Enak KL (Sherena’s mother.)   These workshops are funded through a small grant from the U.S. Embassy, and in partnership with Warisan Global Sdn. Bhd.  Warisan Global’s COO, Vani Mahadevan, an alumna of an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) entitled  "New Beginning: Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation,” organized the event along with her dynamic team.   The event was updated live on the MYGEW2010 Twitter and GEW Malaysia Facebook Fan Page.

The "Sembang Sembang" workshops for women entrepreneurs are about to celebrate their first anniversary.  They have been extremely popular and interest continues to grow.  They will now be extended and expanded into other parts of Malaysia.  Business women and entrepreneurs have found this series to be educational, practical and very empowering.