This 21-Year-Old Malaysian Earns Over RM100,000 a Month Selling Used Furniture

By Ammar Haziq  •  23 Jun 2020 in News

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While ‘entrepreneurship’ is an overused word mostly by people who sometimes scam their way to wealth, this young lady from Merbok, Kedah proves otherwise.

21-year-old Arliya Munif started Perabot Berkualiti Kedah (Kedah’s Quality Used Furniture) back in 2017 and has since been attracting local bargain hunters with her affordable prices. Business is currently booming, as she has managed to earn over RM100,000 a month in sales.

Arliya, who is currently pursuing her studies in Entrepreneurial Business Administration at UiTM Puncak Alam, said she came up with the idea for her business after seeing many people throwing their furniture away because of minor damages, resulting in more pollution.

“Sometimes they’re still in good condition. They just need to be repaired and they will look good if not brand new,” she told Sinar Harian.

Apart from that, Arliya said the business allows her to give the B40 group the opportunity to furnish their homes with quality products at affordable prices. “After all, buying new furniture can be expensive and not everyone can afford it,” she said.

With a capital of just RM1,500, Arliya, who was still pursuing her diploma at that time, started her business by opening a shop in Jeniang, Kedah. She did not expect it would receive the response it did from the locals. A year after that, she opened a second branch at Taman Lembah Bujang Saujana, Merbok.

The opening of the second store was driven by high sales after she sold furniture imported from Singapore. After six months of operation, there was more demand for the furniture because of its unique designs and quality.

Arliya initially sold dining tables and wardrobes but as the business progresses, she diversified with products such as sofas, rugs, mattresses, refrigerators and televisions. She also said she had to close down the shop in Jeniang to focus on the one in Merbok.

“The shop in Merbok has been expanded to accommodate the increasing number of used furniture due to high demands from customers,” she said.

The entrepreneur is aiming for an annual sales of RM1 million this year, which she is confident to achieve after expanding the business and utilising online platforms to boost the sales. She said the method was used after the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented on 18 March.

“It’s not strange for customers to buy furniture as usual, since many of them are using this time to decorate their homes,” she added.

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