Leaving a comfortable and stable office job for an online business is not an easy decision. But Hani Arziana Abdullah finds life as a Netpreneur good so far. Izwan Ismail finds out more.

Hani (left) and her friend and Ummiku Sayang co-founder, Dayang Lily, showing off some of the company’s products.

Q: Can you explain the concept of your online business?

A: Ummiku Sayang (http://www.ummikusayang.com) was founded with the aim to provide a single source for Muslim mothers to find resources that they need to bring up their children to be good Muslims. It’s a one-stop centre for Muslim mothers to meet their needs during pregnancy until their children’s childhood years, all based on the Islamic way.

We specialise in selling English Islamic books for children. Our books have been carefully selected to assist parents in teaching their children about Islam in a fun and effective way. We also sell toys and games, clothing like Muslimah T-shirts and swimsuit, health and beauty products, and confectionary.

Q: How did your online business came about?

A: It was in 2001 when my friend and I were looking for options to work from home. Both of us have computer engineering background and felt that online business was the natural thing to do.

We built our first Web site and initially marketed our products to our circle of friends and family. We did everything ourselves, from searching for the right products, getting them from the suppliers, displaying them on the Web site, marketing them and packing them for delivery.

Q: How’s business so far? What are your future plans?

A: The business has been good, and we have customers from all over the country.

Ummiku Sayang also has started a parenting group of mothers and fathers using Yahoo! Groups. We found that there are many working mothers who are searching for options to have a more balanced life. So, we have conducted a series of executives@home seminars to give alternatives or ideas to these mothers to use ICT (information and communications technology) and be able to have both career and family. Today, we have 3,000-plus members in that group. Occasionally, we meet up during the yearly members’ event or charity drives.

We also offer services to share knowledge and experience in the Internet business or matters relating to motherhood or parenthood with organisations, Government or corporate bodies, especially working mothers’ communities or single mums or stay-at-home mums.

We also have started other portals like MuslimBizNetwork.com to connect Muslim business owners, the Ummiku Sayang blog at http://ummikusayangactivities.blogspot.com, and alimkids.com.

Indeed, ICT has given me the flexibility to do things differently. It has allowed me to start an online business with low startup costs and reach customers faster with minimal budget. Now I have a balanced life where I can earn an income by working from home and at the same time build and nurture my family.