When you’re your own boss, it can be difficult to draw the line between work and taking a break.
But the importance of striking a good balance becomes ever more apparent when it falls on you to deal with the stability and marketing of a business. And that’s on top of managing your own personal life and relationships.
This is why 32-year-old Amzary Omar, owner and founder of Ikan Emas Coffee, cites the mental aspect of F&B to be its most grueling challenge.
“Balancing personal life is hard, but I delegate tasks and set boundaries to make time for myself and relationships,” said the cafe entrepreneur.
“Overcoming these challenges requires adaptability, planning, and self-care.”
A revolving career
The Melakan from Jasin found his start in F&B following the completion of his Diploma in Culinary Arts at the UNITAR International University in 2014.
He worked in KL’s underground kitchen scene for a time before making a switch to hotels and cafes, invaluable experiences that he would put to very good use later down the line.
It was not long after that, however, that he would make another career pivot that same year.
“I took my first entrepreneurial step by venturing into soda production,” said Ikan Emas’ head chef and manager.
Named hiddenrabbit, the brand’s first product, Soda Society, would see a pre-launch in late November with development being handled by Amzary himself, he shared.
Based in his home state of Melaka, bottles were sold through pop-ups and various different cafes, with catering even being offered for events and parties.
“Economic problems” and manpower, however, would see the company be put out of business come October, 2015.
“Later, I had the opportunity to establish a cafe called CORM Cafe & Distro in my hometown,” he shared.
It was then that he would also begin to cultivate a deeper understanding of coffee culture, inadvertently sowing the seeds for his next cafe five years early.
Rolling with the punches
“Ikan Emas Coffee began unexpectedly during the MCO in March 2020,” Amzary explained.
At the time, he had just returned from Puncak Alam, Selangor, where he was working on a cafe project in the city to take care of his family.
The issue was, however, that he needed some sort of income source, and the solution that he ultimately landed on was a ghost kitchen.
A ghost kitchen is an F&B establishment where the premises are used solely for the purposes of preparing customer orders.
These are made online through third-party apps such as GrabFood and foodpanda, with no option to “dine-in.”
“Over time, the business evolved from a small kitchen operation to developing a full-fledged coffee bar, dining space, and additional facilities,” the founder added.
Inspiration was taken from Melbourne’s coffee culture and micro-eatery scene, and, thus, IKAN EMAS was born.
Funded independently without a loan, the cafe targets a more youthful demographic with an added focus on tourists visiting Melaka.
Brand image is something Amzary pays special attention to, and his idea for IKAN EMAS is to embody a “DIY ethos that encourages self-reliance.”
“Its independent business model is not just about autonomy but also about delivering style and quality, making it a truly unique and positive brand,” he elaborated.
Not exactly words that come to mind when one thinks F&B. But sticking to this vision certainly seems to be working for the business, now six years strong with its own “loyal customer base.”
That, and staying up-to-date with current cafe trends.
Staying the course
Recently, IKAN EMAS opened a second outlet in Semua House, located in Amzary’s old stomping ground of KL from his uni days.
The expansion has the brand finding an unlikely neighbour in Union Skate Club and is their entryway into exploring the mall segment of the industry.
“Running a cafe brings challenges like financial instability, which I tackle by budgeting, diversifying income, and controlling costs,” he noted.
“Marketing is tough, so I use social media, events, and collaborations to stand out.”
In the long run, the goal for IKAN EMAS is to establish stronger financial liquidity and to position the brand for more sustainable growth.
“We believe that true success lies in helping others grow alongside us, creating a shared journey of achievement,” Amzary added.
A statement that stays true to his belief of not seeing others in the industries as competitors.
“We’re just being ourselves in our own space.”
- Learn more about Ikan Emas Coffee here.
- Read other articles we’ve written about F&B businesses here.
Featured Image Credit: Ikan Emas Coffee