PETALIKU STUDIO - The Hustle and Petals Blog

11:49PM ( 24/09/2025 )

My Comeback Story: A Journey of Starting Over and Finding Myself Again

After five years of stepping away from the business world, I found myself back where I started — but this time, with a new mindset, a new home, and a heart full of hope. Life had taken me to another state for a while, and during that period, I had to leave behind something I truly enjoyed: building, creating, and selling. My entrepreneurial spirit never really died, but it had to be put on pause. Then in 2024, everything changed. I finally settled down in my own house in Kuantan, and from that moment on, I knew it was time to start again.

I didn’t know exactly where to begin, but sometimes, all you need is one open door. Mine came in the form of a carboot sale by the Blackstone Fest at Pantai Batu Hitam, Kuantan. The date was 2nd August 2024 — a date I’ll never forget. I joined as a vendor, selling bundle knitwear under a brand name I created for that phase: Mochie Studio. The opportunity came from my sister, who told me about the carboot sales. I reached out to the event organizer, Encik Nazirul, and he kindly gave me the green light to join. That one opportunity was the spark I needed to light the fire again.

From there, I started joining events more actively. My first full event was in Cherating, organized by Mrs Rasta Herny — it was lively, exciting, and filled with people who shared the same hustle energy. The last time I sold bundle items was at the New Year’s event under Blackstone Fest. It was a good run. But deep down, I started to feel something wasn’t right. The bundle business, although profitable and interesting, didn’t feel like home to me. I was overwhelmed by the amount of stock I had to manage. The physical and mental toll it took on me wasn’t worth it in the long run. That’s when I knew it was time to let it go.

The truth is, I’ve always been someone who likes to explore and try new things. I’ve never been afraid of starting from scratch or learning something unfamiliar. Over the past decade, I’ve sold almost everything under the sun — jamu Sweetdara Kak KM, joined MLMs like Forever Living, Cellmax, Cosway, tried selling cosmetics, perfumes, even started my own brand of hijabs and kaftan dresses. Each experience came with its own set of lessons, challenges, and little victories. I embraced them all, because for me, the joy is in the process — in creating something from nothing, and watching it grow.

In May 2025, I took another leap of faith. I launched a new brand, one that finally feels like a true reflection of me: Petaliku Studio. It started with craft flowers and handmade accessories. Nothing too big, nothing too fancy — just something beautiful, meaningful, and from the heart. I began placing a small amount of stock in my sister’s booth during events. Slowly but surely, people began to notice. Most recently, I had the chance to join the Pop-Up Beach Market under Blackstone Fest. Yeah Blackstone again LOL. That moment felt special — not just because it was another event, but because it reminded me how far I’ve come since I took that first step back.

Today, I look back with nothing but gratitude. For the setbacks that taught me patience. For the detours that led me to unexpected places. For the people who opened doors for me — from my sister to kind organizers like Mr Nazirul and others who believed in me. And of course, for every customer who supported my little business, whether it was a bundle piece or a flower hairpin. Your support means everything.

This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s mine. And I’m proud of it. Business isn’t always about the profits or the trends — sometimes, it’s just about the courage to keep going, to keep reinventing yourself, and to stay true to what makes you come alive. I don’t know what the future holds for Petaliku Studio or where life will take me next. But I do know one thing: I will always keep trying, creating, and doing my best — not just as a businesswoman, but as a person who never gave up on herself.

Here’s to new chapters, to quiet beginnings, and to the beauty of starting over.

2nd August 2024 — WEEK 1

First time joining the carboot sale — super excited, full of hope. But that day, not a single sale. Just paid RM25 for the spot and went home with everything still in the car. I didn’t let it get to me though. I showed up again the next day, hoping for better luck. Only one customer came tapi tak beli. Still, I stayed till the end, arranged my items nicely, smiled, and kept trying.

Then came Sunday, the third day of my first week. Guess what? Still no sales. Yep, three days in a row — Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — not a single item sold. Total loss RM75 for the booth fees. Sounds painful, but honestly... I laughed. I told myself, “Okay, this is how we start.” No shame in starting slow. No shame in failing a few times before it works.

Some people would’ve given up after that. But not me. I’ve been in business long enough to know that success rarely comes easy. This wasn’t the first time I fell, and it won’t be the last. What matters is, I kept showing up. That, to me, is already a win.

Week 2 felt completely different. From the moment I set up, I could already feel the energy shift. More people were stopping by, asking questions, touching the items. Then the first sale came in — and it felt like magic. Not because of the amount, but because it proved one thing: my effort wasn’t wasted. The next day, more customers came. Some just browsed, but a few made purchases. I still remember their faces. That sense of validation, of “yes, this is working,” was priceless.

By the end of that week, I had made back what I lost during the first three days — and more. I went home that Sunday tired, sweaty, but so, so happy. I told myself, “See? This is why you didn’t give up.”

As the weeks went on, the momentum continued. Slowly but surely, more people started recognizing my booth. Some came back just to see what’s new. I had to restock — not once, but twice — all within that first month. I never expected it to grow that fast. What started as a simple carboot comeback after five years turned into a small wave of support that reminded me why I love doing this.

I’m so, so grateful. Grateful to those first few customers who believed in me. Grateful to the strangers who stopped by and gave compliments, even if they didn’t buy anything. Grateful for the chance to stand there week after week, building something from zero with my own two hands. After everything, it’s not about how much I sold — it’s about how much I’ve grown.

With the profit I made from my carboot sales, I finally took a bigger step — I signed up for my first real event, the Cherating Tenggara Festival. It felt like such an achievement to be able to fund it entirely from what I had earned on my own. No borrowed money, no sponsor — just pure hustle. I packed up my things, brought my stock, and set up my booth with excitement. This was on a different level compared to the casual carboot days. I even slept in a tent that night, embracing the full vendor experience. But nothing could’ve prepared me for what came next — heavy wind, rain, and a stormy atmosphere that completely shifted my mood.

The tent was shaking, rain started pouring, and everything got wet. My mood, my spirit, and my stock — all soaked in chaos. I remember sitting inside, exhausted and mentally drained, wondering if I had made a mistake. It was one of those moments where your mind starts questioning everything. “Why am I doing this?” “Is it worth it?” But deep down, I knew... this is the real side of business that people don’t always talk about. The messy side. The breakdowns. The weather. The discomfort. The loneliness in the middle of the night when your tent becomes your whole world, and all you hear is wind and rain while trying to protect your hard work. And yet, despite all that — sales were amazing. People came, browsed, and bought with enthusiasm. My booth was busy, and by the end of the event, I had only a few pieces of stock left. I went home with my bags almost empty — and my heart full. That kind of reward, after all the mental and physical struggle, felt extra meaningful.

I came back from that event soaked, sleep-deprived, and physically wrecked — but I also came back stronger. More focused. More aware of how much this path means to me. Every challenge felt worth it the moment I saw customers happy with their purchases. Every loss, every breakdown, every storm — it’s all part of building something real. And for that, I am truly grateful.

My last moment with the bundle business happened at the New Year Festival 2025, under the Blackstone event team. I didn’t know it then, but it turned out to be my final event selling bundle clothes. Leading up to it, I was already feeling exhausted — not just physically from the lifting and sorting, but mentally too. The work was heavy, and so was the weight on my heart. That event was supposed to be exciting — a New Year celebration, fresh energy, big crowds. And yes, the vibes were great, the people were fun, and sales were decent. But behind my smile at the booth, I was tired. Tired of packing, unpacking, folding, sorting sizes, handling stock that kept piling up. Tired of pretending that I still loved it.

The truth is, bundle wasn’t really my thing. I enjoyed it for a while. It taught me a lot. It gave me the momentum to restart my life. But deep inside, I knew I didn’t belong there long term. I’m the kind of person who loves trying new things, creating with my hands, building something from scratch. The bundle business didn’t give me that spark anymore — it started to feel like a burden instead of a passion. After that event, I went home, looked at the remaining stock, and I knew — this chapter was done. There was no sadness, just relief. I didn’t feel like a failure. I felt... free. Because I followed through, I gave it my best, and I listened when my heart said, “It’s time to move on.”

That final event closed the door on one part of my journey, but it also cleared the space for something new — something that felt more like me. It was the calm before the next storm, the pause before the next creation. I’ll always be thankful for the bundle chapter. It reminded me how strong I can be, how brave I am to start again, and how important it is to listen to your inner voice — especially when it whispers, “It’s okay to change direction.”

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