Designed to celebrate and support local businesses, TikTok Shop is more than a platform to provide a digital storefront: it builds dynamic communities where the unique flavors of Malaysia's diverse culture converge to meet an audience that seeks to be entertained and be connected.
Since its introduction in 2022 to Malaysian shores, TikTok Shop has become a game changer for Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), providing not only an avenue for growth but also a chance to weave their authentic stories into the broader fabric of commerce. It goes beyond transactions, linking people with products that have real stories and real passion. Here, they are not only able to build a presence online but also complement and boost existing physical stores, where they have been able to benefit by combining shoppertainment and on-ground promotions for the winning formula through TikTok Shop.
For local businesses, these platforms are not just about expanding reach; they’re about thriving in a marketplace that values diversity and innovation, celebrating Malaysia’s unique blend of tradition and modernity in the global digital bazaar. This rings true for affiliate creators such as @DearCarynn and @nor_wanz, as well as local brands such as @evawholesale, each who have found themselves new beginnings on TikTok Shop - all thanks to their hard work, dedication, and willingness to pivot and learn when the going got tough.
Trials to Triumph
@DearCarynn is one of the most well-known household names on TikTok Shop, and there is a chance that one will have seen her bright and lighthearted videos whilst scrolling through the platform. However, not many are aware of the challenges that she had to overcome along the way.
Before joining TikTok Shop, Carynn and her husband had tried - and failed at starting their own business up to four times. However, they had no intention of giving up and kept a close eye on the growing e-commerce trend in recent years, especially in the Movement Control Orders (MCOs). Carynn recalls that that period was one of the most difficult in their lives. Unemployed, they had to sell their wedding gold items just to survive, and she also unfortunately experienced a miscarriage.
When TikTok Shop was introduced in Malaysia, Carynn's husband suggested that they try out the platform and ride the new wave of shoppertainment this time. Thus, Carynn joined TikTok Shop in June 2022 with the name DearCarynn as a reminder to herself that she is dearly loved no matter what. Within just three months, DearCarynn gained 250,000 followers by merely being their authentic selves and marketing products to serve the community as best as they can.
Armed with the mission to get the best deals from carefully curated brands, DearCarynn is happy to have helped other brands and businesses reach a larger audience through her TikTok Shop account. Local brands and sellers that were once confined to their physical locations have now made their way to buyers' homes all across Malaysia.
Building Communities
For six years, Norma had poured her heart into her successful kid's clothing store when suddenly, the tides of business turned against her. Despite her best efforts, she had to make the painful decision to sell her beloved store.
Her husband, Hazwan proposed a fresh start in a new arena—TikTok Shop affiliate marketing. He began to do more research on the platform and the opportunities it presented, exploring the most sought-after products and the intricacies of the platform. Inspired by this new venture, they cleverly named their initiative "@nor_wanz"—a blend of their names, symbolizing their partnership in both life and business.
In 2022, Norma joined TikTok Shop with a focus on selling household products, infusing her flair for fun and engaging content into every video she produced. Determined to make her mark, Norma committed to streaming LIVE every day for at least an hour. She experimented with various product niches, gradually building her audience through consistent and engaging presentations. Her dedication began to bear fruit as she noticed a steady rise in her followers and overall engagement.
Norma thrived on collaboration, teaming up with various sellers to diversify the products showcased on her platform. Her commitment and the genuine connections she fostered with her audience and fellow sellers brought her not only success but also a fulfilling sense of community.
Always grateful, Norma made it a point to express her appreciation to her supporters. With heartfelt thanks, she would often sign off with her favorite phrase, "Jimat Berganda Shopping Di TikTok Shop"—reminding her followers of the dual joys of savings and quality they gained by shopping with her. Her journey from a local store owner to a thriving online marketer is a vivid testament to the power of resilience and adaptability in the face of change.
Best Foot Forward
During the pandemic, @evawholesale was one of the many businesses that had to diversify and shift their entire business model. Initially a furniture factory, the move was prompted by challenges of selling their products during the pandemic, and they decided to begin production and sales of a product that was necessary for daily living: shoes.
This decision was made in 2022, at the height of the pandemic, and was not without its own set of challenges. Despite the initial setbacks and a few trial runs, they were able to gain traction with their intended target market, and decided to then take on TikTok Shop to expand their reach even further.
They were soon onboarded onto the platform early in the year, and by September, they managed to achieve nearly RM1 million in sales, which was an astounding 12 times their usual sales numbers. This surge led to them opening up additional job opportunities in their team, of which they turned to hiring a local talent pool of young residents in Triang.
@evawholesale's entrepreneurial journey stands as a testament to adaptability and resilience in the face of adversity, especially when they are equipped to succeed with the right support and knowledge from a platform such as TikTok Shop to help them go further.
This article is provided by VoxEureka.
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