When you have a dream you’d like to achieve, you’d break down all barriers and surpass every obstacle in order to achieve it.
Recently, a Twitter user took to the platform to share the journey of a business venture she and her brother started a while back.
Afiqah who suffers from scoliosis (an abnormal curvature of the spine) detailed how she and her brother had started ‘Anak Ibu Cleaning Services’ which is a cleaning service for carpets, mattresses, cars, sofas and more.
In a video shared by herself, Afiqah showcased her lifting and carrying a massive carpet. She wrote, “Every time I go to a customer’s house to deliver and pick up a carpet, people must be full of doubts because I’m a woman, a petite one at that.”
“The carpet is heavy. But I’m used to it. What I can’t do, a team of men will handle. Alhamdulillah all of these hardships are the source of sustenance.”
She then shared how she operated the carpet cleaning machine which is also pretty heavy and hard to move around.
“This cleaning machine is heavy and in the beginning, it was hard to learn how to use it. The carpet ends up controlling me instead of me controlling it. It made me fly left and right,” she said.
However after years of practice, she managed to learn how to use it properly. “After learning how to use it, I tried looking for customers in my neighbourhood. The first carpet I cleaned was my own!”
Mesin cuci ni berat & awal2 tu susah betul nak belajar guna. Carpet tu yang control aku, bukan aku control dia. Terbang kiri kanan dia bawak aku ?
Lepas dah pandai, baru try cari customer dalam kawasan kejiranan. Carpet pertama aku cuci adalah carpet aku sendiri lah hahaha! pic.twitter.com/MVdyK39m01
— Afiqah Yusof (@afiqahwhy) February 7, 2023
A joint venture
In an interview with WORLD OF BUZZ, Afiqah mentioned that the business was started 5 years ago by her and her brother.
“I handle the carpets I’m capable of and the ones I can’t, I pass to him. The biggest carpet we’ve ever handled is longer than a van. 3 men had to carry it.”
She added, “It’s only been 5 years, the thought of just selling all the machines and working for a normal salary has come many times. But every time I want to stop, I feel heavy because I’ve done too much for it. So I will just continue washing the carpet while crying.”
“It’s a great feeling of satisfaction when you can wash a dirty and shabby carpet so that it’s beautiful again. Like giving a second chance to them,” said Afiqah.
The post was to wish her brother a happy birthday. In her wish towards her brother she wrote, “Today is his birthday. I hope that we will never give up on this business. Cry together and hopefully become successful together. And (hoping) that we don’t turn into characters in movies who fight over the company and assets in the future.”
Such strength
As a patient of scoliosis, Afiqah told us that she’d often suffer back pain every night after work, but, “it’s nothing serious. Just normal back pain.”
Her post has since captured the attention of netizens who wished for her and her brother’s business to do well and to continue growing. A couple of users also expressed concern regarding her condition and how she is carrying heavy stuff on a daily basis.
“Literally cried watching you and your brother start your own business. I understand the feeling of tiredness you get while running a business and the thoughts of giving up.”
“This is what they mean by selling stories, not products; because when someone is emotionally invested, they’re much more likely to purchase whatever you sell,” said a user.
Another user commented, “This girl has scoliosis but still keeps strong. I have scoliosis and I can’t handle carrying heavy things. May Allah ease everything for you.”
To find out more about their services, check out their Facebook and Instagram or contact them via WhatsApp.
Watch a video of her in action below:
Setiap kali aku pergi rumah customer untuk hantar & pick up carpet, mesti diorang macam full of doubts sebab aku perempuan, keding pulak tu. Carpet pula berat. Tapi aku dah biasa. Yang aku tak mampu memang ada team lelaki handle. Alhamdulillah semua kepayahan ni punca rezeki. pic.twitter.com/mCZJJ7Yh9X
— Afiqah Yusof (@afiqahwhy) February 7, 2023
Kudos to Afiqah and her brother for keeping strong and staying determined to make their business work. We wish and hope that her business continues to blossom and grow in the future.
Also read: 14yo M’sian Artist Impresses Netizens With His Super Detailed & Skilful Pieces of Art
