Ranee Tennen enjoys all types of good food and enjoys customising common dishes to her liking.
The 40-year-old from Kampung Taee, Serian runs a food business in which she sells a variety of homemade main dishes.
She believes that doing business is more than just about making money; it is also about having the satisfaction of being able to provide people with the best.
“I’ve been running a food business from home since 2015. I also provide catering and delivery services to nearby villages, Serian, and Kuching,” she told New Sarawak Tribune.
She said that her passion for food inspired her business. She is also honing her cooking skills with the assistance of her husband, who is a culinary art trainer and former Chef of prominent hotels and restaurants in and around Kuching, Kuala Lumpur, and Sabah.
Ranee said that she began her business with small sales based on customer orders.
“It has been a great opportunity for me to run this business until now. My business received a very encouraging response at the time because there were not many people doing business online and accepting cash on delivery,” she said, adding that the minimum and maximum prices are determined by the type of food requested by the customers.
She said that the delivery process is usually done during school hours because she has to drop off and pick up her children from school.
“I work from 9am to 11.30am and from 3pm to 11.30pm. So far, the customers who regularly place orders from me are from the Kuching and Samarahan areas,” she said.
There is no doubt that any food business faces specific challenges in a variety of areas.
One of them is the time required to prepare and delivering the customer’s order on time.
“I occasionally feel pressed for time. Bad weather also makes it difficult to conduct business. Furthermore, when customers fail to make payments or deposits for catering, I am forced to use my own money, disrupting my cash flow,” she said.
Regardless of the challenges, a positive attitude and positive feedback from customers, as well as their gratitude, will always keep the business spirit alive.
“My dream is to own a cafe or a production kitchen. I want to make my own frozen foods and other products,” she said, adding that she intends to take her business to the next level.
“My message to those who run small businesses out there is to do it for the sake of your interests, not mainly for money or profit. When you fall, don’t be afraid to start over because you’re not starting from scratch this time; you’re starting from experience,” she said.
For more information, customers can visit De Ranee Kitchen on Facebook, raneeericsson83 on TikTok or call 011-12007410.
Various foods that Ranee prepares and sells.
