Jeans business a lifeline for single mums in Malaysia

KULA LUMPUR — While most people do not think twice about throwing away a pair of old denims, such jeans have become a lifeline for a group of single mothers in dire need of income.

For Salena Ahmad, the fallout from a 2014 divorce led her to making bags out of unwanted jeans as a means of putting food on the table.

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Battling depression, she strove night and day to turn her venture into a successful business, and to be seen as a role model for her children.

"My children are my source of inspiration. Every time I see them, the strength keeps coming," the 50-year-old told The Malaysian Insight at her house in Klang.

What started out as the simple recycling of jeans has flourished into not just a business, but a social enterprise called Suri Inspirasi.

With a modest capital of RM5,000 (S$1,650), Ms Salena started the business with a group of friends, also single mothers.

The 2-year-old company now rakes in a profit of between RM15,000 and RM20,000 a month, with its products available for sale at its kiosk at KLCC, and on its website, 2ndchance.my, and Instagram account.

To save on costs, the jeans — which are donations from the public and companies — are washed and turned into bags and other products at Ms Salena's home.

She said initially, she knew nothing about sewing, and turned to YouTube for help.

"I taught myself to sew. I had to borrow money to buy a sewing machine.

"Every day, for four months, I learned to sew by watching YouTube videos. I started with the basics, until I could sew something," said the mother of two children, aged 22 and 4.

She then passed on her skills to her friends before registering the company.

Suri Inspirasi sells a range of bags under the brand name 2ndchance.my – a name full of meaning for Ms Salena, fondly known as Sally to friends.

"I picked the name '2ndchance' because it had to do with who I was. (This business) was a second chance for me and my single mother friends to start a new life."

She now has 20 employees – all single mothers – who are paid between RM800 and RM1,000 a month.

"They have a chance to increase their income if they help train those who are less skilled."

Apart from managing the company, Ms Salena is also its creative designer. She is always on the lookout for new bag designs.

One of Ms Salena's pioneer employees, and now, business partner, Fadzilah Ahmad, said her six children are her biggest source of motivation to make the business bigger and better.

"After my husband died seven years ago, I went without eating rice for days because what little rice I had was for my children."

Despite her struggles, Ms Fadzilah remained steadfast, and tells other single mothers going through tough times to do the same.

"Single mothers out there, don't despair. Strengthen yourself for the sake of your children. If we are weak, then our children will be weak, too."

The company has caught the eye of various agencies, as well as the government, which has given it financial aid. The funds are used to organise free sewing classes for single mothers.

Suri Inspirasi has also received sewing machines from Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia and Pusat Inovasi Kreativiti Global Malaysia.

Ms Salena has no plans of taking it easy, and hopes to produce dresses, accessories and home ornaments next.

"If the fortune of us single mothers can change, so will our children's." THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT