Meet Nadia Jalil, a local female entrepreneur who started and runs her own successful business that goes by the name of MyBump. After a career in the corporate world, she struck out on her own as an entrepreneur and has been steadily climbing to greater and greater heights of success ever since. In today’s Featured Interview, Nadia talks about her journey through the startup scene in Malaysia. Enjoy!
1. Hi Nadia, please give us a brief introduction about yourself!
I’m the Founder and CEO of MyBump Media, a crowd advertising platform. Previously I was attached to Khazanah Nasional as a legal advisor before diving into adtech.
2. What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?
My interest to be an entrepreneur was developed in my previous employment, I was a part of the entrepreneurship research team looking to the startup ecosystem growth in Malaysia.
3. Is there anything in particular that inspired myBump?
I’ve always wanted to work on impact driven initiatives, MyBump’s overall aim is to increase consumer awareness and help consumers earn extra by endorsing brands on their car and social media.
Malaysian advertising expenditure for 2017 was over RM7billion and advertisers are always on the lookout for engaging and effective advertising medium. MyBump aspires to connect consumers and advertisers, leveraging on each other for sustainable and impactful marketing efforts.
4. What was your experience like, starting out as a female entrepreneur?
Coming from a legal background and starting an adtech startup has been quite a ride! I’ve learned a lot these past two years; namely what makes the advertising industry tick and building a company from ground up.
5. How did you balance your time as an entrepreneur, and your personal life?
Coming from corporate, I’ve tried to instill a work-life balance routine. Though I think, being a founder; the two is hard to differentiate! I’ve become more of work-life integrator – taking conference calls while at the gym, exploring collaboration efforts at social events and doing market/brand message research when I go shopping! I do try to take a day off every two weeks to spend time with family, that’s very important.
6. Please tell us about your experience running a self-made business in Malaysia.
Malaysia has ample opportunities for any entrepreneur that’s starting out. We’re never short of networking events, startup pitch competitions, industry conferences and funding opportunities, both private and government driven initiatives.
Be resourceful and try to be involved – Google it up! I basically learned a lot about advertising, how to set up a business and manage a team from online articles and YouTube. I also had a lot of mentors.
I’m fortunate to an awesome team and a great support system from family and friends. Being able to work on MyBump with my co-founder, Dhanish Athif, who is my also my partner in life, is a wonderful blessing!
7. Please tell us what you’ve come to know about the local startup scene?
It’s awesome! When I first looked into the startup scene (as part of my research study) in 2015, it was pretty scarce, I always meet the same faces at networking events.
Now the startup scene is thriving, and I hear new startups emerging every other day with innovative solutions. I’m very proud of how far the local startup scene has grown.
8. What could an aspiring female entrepreneur do to get started?
Startups are never gender biased. Whether you’re female or male, being an entrepreneur requires being mentally and emotionally prepared for uncertainties.
Always, always do research and market validation for your solution or product.
Read up on Lean Startup by Eric Ries and the Business Model Generation Book by Alexander Osterwalder – these two books got MyBump started.
9. What were some of your biggest highlights in your startup career?
I’m fortunate to be a two-time panelist for the national Crowd Economy Conference 2016 & 2017 by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and penalist for NEXT Malaysia 2017 by Advertising+Marketing, Singapore, on uprising advertising trends. It was such an honor!
MyBump was also awarded Top 40 Startups by Slush Singapore and more recently, Echelon TOP 100 APAC Startups by e27 at the Echelon Asia Summit 2018.
10. What advice would you offer to women who want to start a business in Malaysia?
Nothing is and nothing should hold you back from trying and pursuing your startup ideas.
Don’t be afraid to seek advice and guidance from industry experts and find mentors.
Participate in networking events and seminars – most of them are free!
11. Any personal mottos?
Keep bumping!
