PAN is 3 Years Young!

Come November 2012, Penang Affiliates of NAWEM will be three years old and members had an early anniversary celebration in Kuala Lumpur recently, together with fellow women entrepreneurs from NAWEM headquarters.

And what a celebration it was for PAN members during that three-day two-night trip! We much appreciate that many NAWEM members, busy business women that they are, had made time for us and on week days too. They graciously became our tour guides, committee meeting coaches, lunch and dinner hosts and party pals.

We felt their generosity, camaraderie, warmth and sisterhood, which made me think of bunch of proud mamas showering gifts on her only child's birthday. Ah! it's good that PAN is NAWEM's first child, so to speak :)

At the end of the trip we were left feeling like children pampered on their birthday; from the various treats, bagful of wonderful souvenirs and fun prizes to take home and the warm, happy memories made. There were also lessons learned and inspiration taken, friendship forged and strengthened.

NAWEM President Sarojini Ruth addressing the gathering.

Fun and camaraderie at the Monkey Bar... anniversary dinner party hosted by NAWEM deputy president Puan Sri Dr Susan Cheah.

We sang, we danced, we had fun contests and won prizes, talked like only women could and made friends, ate and drank...and waited for the host to turn up. She was held back by work and bad traffic and couldn't make it. We had loads of fun anyhow!

Puan Sri Susan felt bad for having missed the party and made it up by treating us the next day to lunch. Awesome. A relaxed and leisurely meal, plus great conversation, at the Atrium, Sunway Pyramid certainly left many in joyous mood.

PAN chairperson Swe Ee was especially pleased that, with this anniversary trip, all in her committee had finally visited NAWEM Secretariat. The office is very cozy and has a feel of that of a home especially in the kitchenette.

It was serious business though when come to the meeting proper. We thank president Saro and her exco for sitting through the meeting with PAN committee, and for the coaching so as to better standardise the procedure. Also, thank you Mayi of the Secretariat for the professionally prepared minutes. We all learned and shall strive to do better.

Perhaps the greatest learning curve during the trip occurred while visiting Ken-Rich Chemical factory in Shah Alam. 

This CEO dresses very comfortably to work.

NAWEM member Hooi Lai Lin fascinated and inspired with recount of her success story; building the business with just RM5,000 in pooled capital amidst the mid-80's Malaysian economic crisis.

Her factory makes household and personal care products and today it supplies, among others, the house brands for international supermarket and retail outlet chains. Ken-Rich Chemical has also recently expanded to Penang to start making new personal care product lines.

Waiting for lunch to be served at South Sea Seafood in Subang.

 After feeding our mind and soul, Lai Lin took us out and fed our tummies as well. She sent us off with bagful of goodies each. 




Like Wendy said, the generosity we received was very encouraging, made us want to achieve more and grow as entrepreneurs, and take our turn at being gracious host and equally encouraging to other fellow women entrepreneurs.

For now, it has just gotten easier for the PAN members to answer that question of 'How have I benefited from NAWEM?' : ) What say you, gals? Comment below or leave some words in the cbox at right.