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Saturday, October 28, 2017

In the company of her ’investments’


MOST people with entrepreneurial aspirations tend to forget that a big part of running a business is about managing people.

Acestar Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Natalie Sit was once like that.

When Sit founded her company in 2008, she thought she would be able to get by doing what she was good at.

“At the time, I thought business was about sales, and since I was good at sales, I thought I could handle it,” she said.

She soon realised that being a good employer and leader was just as important as being a good entrepreneur.

When Sit started her IT firm, she was only able to hire two workers. That meant she had to do most of the work on her own, from sales to deliveries and accounts, among other things. She became more of an operator rather than a business owner.


Sit (third from left) with her team at their recent company holiday in the Maldives.

Sit and her small team worked very hard to grow the company and the stress took a toll on all of them; Sit ended up having to take long medical leave twice and her employees resigned.

“I wasn’t a good leader at that time. Everything depended on me. I thought giving my employees a salary to work for me was good enough, but I didn’t build my team and I had no confidence in them,” she admitted.

When she came back from her second medical leave to an empty company, Sit considered quitting the business. But the support of her husband and friend spurred her to continue her journey as an entrepreneur.

Only this time, she aimed to do things differently.

“I became clearer about our vision and mission. Earlier, the leader wasn’t leading the organisation so the team didn’t know where the company was heading,” she said.

Sit attended a business course in the United States, which inspired her to build her team with the right culture in her company.

She started spending more time with her employees and looked into opportunities to train her staff and help them develop their potential. She makes it a point to get to know her employees on an individual level and remains connected with her team.


Sit says it’s important to provide direction for your employees so that they know where the company is headed.

By spending time with them, Sit was able to better assess their strengths to place them in relevant roles.

This also helps her find out what motivates them to do better.

“You need to put them in the right position to fully utilise their potential. You need to know their strengths and ask yourself whether you need this strength in the company or not. If yes, then develop them and send them for the right training,” she said.

Even company trips are opportunities to train her team.

Her employees take turns to plan the trips, including researching itineraries and logistics arrangements. They also take turns to be tour guides during the trips.

Sit said this gives them the exposure and experience to plan and organise events and also gives them confidence to carry plans out.

She also ensures that her team remains energetic and passionate about their work.

To start the week, the team at Acestar gathers for their Monday morning dance. It helps to get everyone at their peak energy level, said Sit.

The weekly dance apparently has worked out well for the team. In fact, it has worked so well that Sit often carries out a dance routine at Acestar’s events to get the participants pumped up.

“It’s not just about your business, but about your team,” she said.

When the team is taken care of, they will, in turn, take care of the clients, she said. This will ensure the business continues to do well.

Her new approach helped Acestar grow on better footing.

With a stronger team in place, Sit was able to explore other business-related activities.

But building a team is not a one-off effort, she added.

“Employees are not just about giving them a job and a salary. They are our biggest asset.

“We must provide a platform for people to gain confidence and grow. We need to enable our employees to be the next group of leaders,” she said.

Sit noted that Acestar’s practice is different from the IT industry norm.

For going the extra mile, Acestar won the Silver award for Best Employer in the Up to RM25mil revenue category at The Star Outstanding Business Awards 2016.

Sit also took home the Female Entrepreneur of the Year in the Up to RM25mil category.

“Being a business owner is not just about making money but about growing people. At the end of the day, people stay with you because they see a future here. Always invest in people, not just reward them,” she said.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Working at Home has its Benefits

I am so relieved that the internet is restored now. I can continue to work by the computer; - blogging and writing articles again. I also have very good social life! My puppy Leia and 4 Holland Lop bunnies - 2 pure white, 2 brown mixed with long-haired Angora. They are Snowy, the leader, Snow, Brownie and Tom. My pets are so loveable and cute. And the good thing is that my spouse does all the cleaning and feeding. I do the stroking of fur and it is so cathartic and de-stressing. Animals make ideal companions as in my case, I don't have to clear the pee and poop. They are high maintenance, but they keep my boss happy and occupied. He can connect with them and feel a sense of authority taking good care of them with tender loving attention.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Mentally Tired

I am mentally tired; slept around 1:30am last night and used Facebook Messenger to chat with my SFI upline to register my e-commerce site at TheLovelyShop123.com and what the benefits are, besides how to register. It is touted to be the largest online e-commerce with connections round the world and Vaser Points are given for each purchase. How attractive is that? Now I have 4-5 big bags full of books and stamp albums and coins that I plan to sell via Mudah, eBay or Shopify. I am still learning Shopify as much as I can and make modifications to it while looking for that winning product to sell online.

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Go into Business if you Want to be Wealthy

If you find difficulties working for others, then go into e-commerce business and be your own boss, calling the shots and work as and when you like. There is time and money freedom. Working for others is a stepping stone to future success as you encounter failure after another; but learnt something on the job. Successful business is the only way to be wealthy and have financial freedom . You can also take power naps in between work to rest and recuperate. The revenues generated are limitless and the sky is the limit. You can work as hard as you want or take a break when you need it. But most important of all, if to have determination and motivation to continue in this daily grind of repetitive work.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Working at Home is a Dream

Working at home with regular income is a dream for many. I get the benefits of an MNC employee or manager in Bayan Lepas. There's EPF contribution, SOCSO, medical benefits where my boss / partner drives me to the clinic and waits patiently, pays the medical bills and free meals daily - breakfast, lunch and dinner. All utilities are also paid by the company and I also get rental income from renting out my unit in Rhythm Avenue, Subang Jaya. Also the assessment and quit rent, utilities are all paid for by the company that I work for to prosper it. The boss knows it and rewards me in kind.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Tired but Happy

I am mentally tired, but happy. It could be due to the other day working on a Sunday until 11:40pm at night sending out 25 files. Now I have to prepare a company profile for another meeting this week. My puppy was brought back from a Pet Boarding place and she stayed there for 4 nights costing $60 plus $15 for bathing and another $80 for special diet of powder to grow her fur even more. She has been dropping lots of fur lately. I have also set up my OpenCart and more or less learnt up the features to link to a payment gateway and a also listing products successfully. I plan to sell during this Christmas.

Saturday, September 9, 2017

2 places to visit on Monday

Next week on a Monday in 2 days time, we shall visit 2 places before heading home by car to Penang. We are using my aunt's E250 Mercedes that was left unattended for many months. I just printed the company profile, bought a slip on file and paper to print out as required by the client. We are so busy all year round and there is something to do every moment. Either reading the news, blogging, writing articles or checking emails and typing quotations. But I am Not complaining; in fact I enjoy working and resting like taking power naps in between work. Life ia a day of blessings one after another and I live in the moment, NOW. I no longer regret the pass nor worry about the future anymore.

Going Back on Monday

I am now staying in my KL condo and I was surprised there was a weekly Pasar Malam every Fridays. Well, was rather curious and elated that business like cheap hawkers are peddling their food near my condo. Bought myself 2 satin pyjamas, an Indian themed long skirt and 3 bottles of drinks - 'lo han kuo', boiled lemongrass with ginger and chlorophyll drink. There was many patrons dining the sffordable food hawker style with a phletora of food of many varieties. My colleague bought sticky rice with sliced black Shitake mushrooms topped with chopped spring onlines, peanuts, fried onions and dried anchovies. Yummy!