GETTING into the family business, especially in your early 20s and fresh out of school, came with its own set of challenges and difficulties.
And for 28-year-old Abu Faiz Rahman Abu Zar, joining the family business also meant stepping into the footsteps of his father and grandmother.
He is now the third generation, helping his father manage the operations of Warong 2000, of which there are six outlets across Kuching and Samarahan.
Abu Faiz started out doing hands-on tasks such as washing dishes, making deliveries and checking inventory. Today, he is involved in managing the outlets, staff and other aspects of the family business.
TRIBUNE: Warong 2000 is well-known throughout Kuching. When did the business start, and how did it grow into what it is today?
ABU FAIZ: It all started with my late grandmother, Tasam Latip, also known as Bibik, and her food stall in the 1990s.
My father, Abu Zar Abdullah, followed my grandmother and helped her with the business. My father was not highly educated but he managed to build Warong 2000 into what it is today.
After I graduated with a diploma in 2020, I became more involved in the business, particularly in managing our outlets, staff and other internal matters.
I had actually been helping my father since I was young, doing various things such as washing dishes, making deliveries, checking inventory and basically getting involved in anything that needed to be done.
So, I already had that experience before I took on a bigger role in managing and handling the business. It did not come without difficulties, but it was something I gradually got used to after spending several years in the business.
Since you graduated in 2020, it must have been challenging for the business, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. How did you keep the operations going when you were still in your early 20s?
The year 2020 was quite a challenging one for the business. We had to think about how to keep the business going, how to get customers to come to our outlets or order food from us, as well as the welfare of our staff. There was a lot to think about.
COVID-19 was one of the worst things that could have happened, and it affected our business. Eventually, with the help of delivery riders, we were able to receive orders from customers and sell packed food.
However, other than the pandemic, my main concern was our staff because they were the backbone of Warong 2000 and the people who kept our family business going.
Managing the business was the most challenging part for me because I had to deal with people with different personalities.
It was scary at first because I was dealing with people. Over the past few years, I have learned a lot about how to manage and communicate with our staff.
With that experience, I am now better able to look after their welfare.
You have followed your father and learned a lot from him about the business since you were young. What has your father taught you about being part of a family business?
My father has been in the food and beverage (F&B) industry for quite a long time.
He used to work at the Sarawak General Hospital, where he was involved in handling and preparing food for patients.
Because of that, he has a lot of experience dealing with all kinds of people, especially staff and customers.
What my father taught me is to always look after our staff and take good care of our customers. He always says that the customer is right.
Again, our staff are really important to our family business. Our waiters, cashiers, bartenders and cooks are the people who keep the business running until today.
They are good at what they do, even when it comes to the simplest tasks. That is why my father taught me to always look after the welfare of our staff and allow them to do well in the areas they are good at.
My father is my mentor and he has taught me a lot about this business. For that, I really appreciate him for bringing me into the business.
You now have six outlets in Kuching and Samarahan. Do you and your father have plans to expand to other locations?
That is the future plan. We are still looking for business opportunities in other places, including outside Sarawak.
Maybe Penang or Kuala Lumpur. We are considering opening another outlet in Serian or further up the region.
We will also have another outlet in Kuching, so we are expanding our workforce as well and looking to hire more people.
We have fast food items and nasi campur, with a variety of food options for customers to choose from.
Here at Warong 2000 in Metrocity, we have plenty of space for people to sit, where customers can enjoy their meals and spend time with their friends.
It is important for us to look after our customers when they come to our outlets.
If you were not involved in the family business, what kind of work would you have liked to do, and why did you not pursue it?
If I were not involved in the family business, my life would be very different from what it is now.
I would probably go into corporate life, working an 8 am-to-5 pm job, sitting in an office and having lunch outside in the afternoon.
At first, the family business was not really my passion. I would have preferred a corporate job instead of carrying on the family business. I even applied for corporate jobs before.
But life had other plans for me. Since I am the eldest of six siblings, I feel that I have to carry on the legacy of Warong 2000.
Today, I have my own family and two beautiful little boys. One day, when they grow up, I would like them to continue the business because it is part of our family history.
What my father taught me about being in the family business, I hope to pass down to them as well.
