He began his entrepreneurial journey at a young age of 21
Everyone can start up a business, but one has to know that there’s more than the transaction of selling and buying that can ensure a business to endure its rough patches and grow sustainably into the future.
For Wan Mohamad Zaffuan Wan Mohamad Zin, Executive Director of WGN Scan Sdn Bhd and Managing Director of D’Aquarian (M) Sdn Bhd, his years of experience dabbling in business has taught him that it is a lot about planning ahead, particularly in the elements of the financial preparation.
“It is important to have a strong financial plan before looking for business financing. If you really put your efforts into it, it helps tremendously with acquiring the appropriate funding” he said.
To be an entrepreneur, you have to be bold and brave. Go to people and make them listen to what you have to offer, no matter how many times you are rejected.
A graduate in Business Administration, Zaffuan began his entrepreneurial journey at a young age of 21, where he is influenced by his own father who is the founder of D’Aquarian (M) Sdn Bhd, a marine engineering solutions provider to the Royal Malaysian Navy.
“I began WGN Scan Sdn Bhd by selling mouse scanners, a technology from Switzerland which was new to Malaysia during that time,” he said.
Although many have doubted that the product was sellable, he persisted and had his father mentoring him on how to run the business.
“To be an entrepreneur, you have to be bold and brave. Go to people and make them listen to what you have to offer, no matter how many times you are rejected,” said the 27-year-old who possesses sheer determination and passion for the field.
The Face Behind WGN Scan Sdn Bhd
Having passion is important, but one has also to be smart and strategic at keeping the money rolling.
A few years after successfully launching his first business, WGN Scan was appointed by MARA as an anchor tenant of MARA Digital, based on its capability at financing and its stellar performance.
“We are currently in charge of MARA Digital Kuala Lumpur, where we oversee the retail development of the mall and supporting other technology tenants in the mall,” said Zaffuan. MARA Digital has been operated since 2015 and to date, it has over 32 tenants.
This year, the company moves forward to update MARA Digital with a touch of family friendliness to entice more family crowd to visit the mall.
“We are opening an IT Hyperstore in the mall, and opening more cafes and restaurants on the 4th floor for patrons to enjoy,” he said. One of the main objectives of MARA Digital is to encourage more bumiputras to pursue business in technology, and Zaffuan thinks that anybody could become successful in the industry given the right support and attitude.
Move Forward
When asked about what can be improved to help bumiputras excel in business, Zaffuan personally feels that one thing could be improved is an increased support from the consumers as well as ample guidance to doing business.
“Bumiputra businesses can benefit from a more supportive business environment where they can earn consumer’s trust, who in turn will stay loyal to the product long as it is of good quality,” he said.
Speaking of guidance, it will be better if there’s more than only motivational talks to help businesses grow. More guidance can be provided in terms of formulating business proposals and strategizing the business especially in terms of financial.
“Having passion is important, but one has also to be smart and strategic at keeping the money rolling, so to speak,” he added.
I used to have coffee talk conversations with friends about venturing into business, but I arrived at a point where I knew that I need to take action instead of just talking about it.
Besides WGN Scan Sdn Bhd, Zaffuan also continues to oversee the family business in D’Aquarian (M) Sdn Bhd as its Managing Director. Having different portfolios to manage does not hinder him from continuing to push forward.
“Of course we have to stay focused in the core business and don’t be too greedy. To me, having different portfolios is fine as long as I am able to make it work for each other,” he explains.
At The Peak Of Life
Zaffuan is now at the peak of his life, being a young and successful entrepreneur with big plans for the future. Perhaps what has brought him to where he is now is in the way of thinking and his attitude about making progress.
“I used to have coffee talk conversations with friends about venturing into business, but I arrived at a point where I knew that I need to take action instead of just talking about it,” he said as he shared his story.
….Every milestone is something I celebrate and from there I move towards bigger goals
“Business does not have to be about doing something big and audacious too. You can sell simple, daily-use things. It’s about seeing its potential, solving problems and being smart at making it work,” said the football enthusiast who is also a proud sponsor of the local Protap Football Team which competing in M5 Malaysia League; a state level football league competition in Malaysia.
In the future, Zaffuan sees himself as a marine consortium tycoon, with bigger plans at D’Aquarian which is already spearheading the marine radar technology in Malaysia.
“I always have small, achievable goals to motivate myself to move forward. Every milestone is something I celebrate and from there I move towards bigger goals,” said Zaffuan as we ended our conversation.
