The Story

The story of Pg Mohammad Isman Hisham Pg Hj Othman is not that goes from rags to riches, but it is no less impressive. The businessman, who is now in his mid 40’s, has not worked for anyone but himself in over two decades.

After he graduated from high school. Pg Isman worked part-time as an insurance agent, before eventually starting an insurance agency himself. It would serve as the building block of the empire he has created in the 20 years that followed.

In 1996, when Pg Isman was just in his early 20s, he started Man Foods Enterprise, which specializes in providing food supplies to catering, restaurants, hotels and wholesale industries in Brunei. It is his largest and most active business to date. The business attracts a growing customer base, ranging from government departments to hotels.

Apart from this, Pg Isman has four other companies that he manages alone, including a transport agency and a property company. He attributes the diversity in his business from the vast networks he has built over the years. “I never thought I could grow this big - and to run so many companies. But it’s because of the people I’ve met and the networks I have. When you build good relationships, people will give you new opportunities for business. Yes. working hard is good, but you have to keep your eyes open for new opportunities.”

For Pg Isman, business is what he does best. “ I’ve been doing this for over 20 years now, and this is all I know. I started my business with two people, myself and another employee. I had to also do deliviries and be involved in the labour at the start. That’s why in my career over 20 years, I’ve never makan gaji (sat around waiting for a salary). I’ve always had to work for what I earn.”

Extracted from Entrepreneurship Rising - B2B Magazine (Written by Redzwan Kamaruddin)