Success Stories & Case Studies

The Challenge

In 2023, Siti Aminah found herself at a crossroads. Her family had been farming rice and vegetables in Ranau, Sabah for generations, but the income barely covered expenses. Young people, including her own children, were leaving the village for city jobs. The farm needed at least RM30,000 in equipment upgrades, but traditional farming income couldn't justify the investment.

Siti had an idea: tourists visiting Mount Kinabalu passed through Ranau but rarely stopped. What if she could give them a reason to visit - authentic farm experiences, traditional cooking classes, and homestay accommodation? But she had no business training, limited capital, and wasn't sure where to start.

The Solution: Comprehensive Coaching Program

Siti enrolled in Rural Rise Coaching's comprehensive 12-month program in January 2024. Her journey included:

Business Planning & Strategy (Months 1-3)

Working with her coach, Siti developed a detailed business plan for "Ranau Farm Experience." They identified three target customer segments: domestic tourists seeking authentic experiences, international visitors interested in cultural immersion, and urban families wanting educational farm trips for children.

The plan included phased development: start with day trips and cooking classes, then add homestay accommodation once cash flow allowed. Financial projections showed she needed RM15,000 initial investment - much less than her original RM30,000 estimate - focused on essential infrastructure and marketing rather than expensive equipment.

Digital Marketing Mastery (Months 3-6)

Siti learned to leverage social media to reach potential customers. She created Facebook and Instagram accounts, posting photos and videos of farm life, traditional cooking, and local culture. Her authentic content resonated deeply with urban audiences tired of polished, impersonal tourism.

Within three months, her Facebook page had 2,500 followers. She joined travel groups and homestay communities, sharing helpful information about Sabah and occasionally mentioning her farm. This soft-sell approach generated genuine interest without being pushy.

Financial Management (Months 6-9)

As bookings began coming in, Siti learned proper financial management. She implemented simple accounting systems, tracked expenses and revenue, and created cash flow forecasts. This visibility helped her make smart decisions about when to invest in improvements and when to conserve cash.

She learned to separate business and personal finances, set aside money for taxes, and build an emergency fund. These fundamental practices gave her confidence and control she'd never experienced before.

Leadership Development (Months 9-12)

As the business grew, Siti hired two village women to help with cooking classes and three young men for farm tours and maintenance. The leadership module taught her how to train staff, delegate responsibilities, and create systems that didn't depend entirely on her presence.

She also worked on personal development - public speaking, confidence, and handling difficult customers. These soft skills proved as valuable as the business strategies.

The Results

By the end of 2024, Ranau Farm Experience was generating consistent income that exceeded what the farm had earned in its best years. More importantly, Siti had created something sustainable and scalable.

She successfully added homestay accommodation in month 10, converting two empty buildings into comfortable guest rooms. This increased average customer value from RM150 (day trip) to RM400 (overnight experience with meals).

Beyond the Numbers

The impact extended far beyond financial metrics. Young people in the village saw that staying home and building businesses was a viable alternative to urban migration. Two other families have since started similar ventures, creating a small agro-tourism cluster that benefits the entire community.

Siti's children, who had been planning to leave for Kota Kinabalu, now work in the family business and are developing their own ideas for expansion - perhaps adding adventure activities or expanding to a second location.

Key Success Factors

• Authenticity: Siti didn't try to create a polished resort experience. She leaned into the authentic, traditional aspects that urban tourists craved.
• Phased Approach: Starting small with day trips allowed her to test the concept and build reputation before investing heavily in accommodation.
• Digital Marketing: Social media gave her access to customers she could never have reached through traditional marketing on her limited budget.
• Community Integration: Hiring locally and sourcing supplies from village vendors created goodwill and ensured authentic experiences.
• Continuous Learning: Siti remained coachable, implemented feedback, and constantly looked for ways to improve.

Current Status & Future Plans

In 2025, Ranau Farm Experience is on track to generate RM180,000 in annual revenue. Siti is now working with state tourism authorities to promote Ranau as an agro-tourism destination. She's also mentoring three other farmers interested in similar transitions.

Her goals for the next two years include developing a traditional craft workshop, expanding accommodation to 6 rooms, and creating educational programs for school groups. She's also exploring partnerships with travel agencies to bring international groups during peak seasons.

The Starting Point

Ahmad had been creating traditional Kelantanese handicrafts - woven baskets, batik textiles, and wooden carvings - for over a decade. He sold at local markets and occasionally to tourists visiting Kota Bharu. His income was inconsistent, averaging RM2,000-3,000 per month in good months, barely RM1,000 in slow months.

He dreamed of expanding but faced multiple obstacles: limited local market size, seasonal tourist traffic, competition from mass-produced items, and no knowledge of how to access larger markets or export opportunities.

The Transformation Journey

Ahmad joined Rural Rise Coaching in February 2024, focusing on market expansion and business planning. The program helped him completely reimagine his business model.

Market Research & Product Development

His coach guided him through market research. They discovered strong demand for authentic, handmade Southeast Asian crafts in Western markets, particularly among consumers seeking sustainable, ethically-made products. This audience valued the traditional techniques and cultural stories behind each piece - exactly what Ahmad offered.

However, his current product designs needed adjustment. Traditional patterns appealed to local customers but seemed dated to international buyers. Working with a designer (connected through Rural Rise's network), Ahmad developed a "contemporary-traditional" line maintaining authentic techniques but with modern aesthetics and color palettes.

Building Online Presence

Ahmad learned to leverage online platforms. He created an Etsy shop targeting international customers and started selling through Shopee and Lazada for domestic markets. Professional product photography - learned through coaching workshops - transformed how his products appeared online.

He also built an Instagram presence showcasing his creative process. Videos of him weaving baskets or applying batik wax connected emotionally with customers who valued authentic craftsmanship. His following grew to 8,500 in nine months.

Production Scaling & Team Building

As orders increased, Ahmad faced production capacity challenges. He learned to build a production team, training 12 village craftspeople in his techniques and quality standards. This not only increased capacity but also helped preserve traditional skills at risk of being lost.

He implemented quality control systems ensuring every piece met standards regardless of who produced it. This consistency was crucial for building brand reputation.

Results Achievement

Ahmad's business, now called "Kelantan Craft House," generates over RM260,000 annually - more than 10x his previous income. International sales account for 60% of revenue, with the USA, UK, and Australia being top markets.

Current Status

Today, Ahmad focuses on business strategy and design while his team handles production. He's exploring opportunities to supply retail chains and museum gift shops. He also conducts workshops teaching traditional techniques, creating an additional revenue stream while preserving cultural heritage.