Engineering graduate finds niche in florist industry

May 2007

Like many other graduates who change jobs at least once during their career, engineering alumnus Mr Martin Cheah (BE 1982) used the skills he learnt at Monash University to transfer from one industry to another - from engineering to entrepreneurship.

After graduating, Mr Cheah returned to Malaysia, where his sister had started up her own business, Blooming Florist. Mr Cheah assisted his sister with day-to-day tasks during evenings and on the weekend while working as an engineer.

During the mid-1990s, Mr Cheah recognised the potential of the internet as a business tool for Blooming Florist. Taking a subject he studied during his engineering course at Monash University – Basic A programming – Mr Cheah developed an order taking system for Blooming Florist using COmmon Business-Oriented Language (COBOL), a third-generation programming language developed during the late 1950s.

“At that time, I felt very strongly that the internet was here to stay. It was also during this time that many people in Malaysia regarded the internet as only a tool for children to play games. But I sensed that the internet was an ideal platform for an online florist business because of its reach and its natural platform to present our products and services for online transactions,” said Mr Cheah.

Now managing director of Blooming Florist (in partnership with his wife May), Mr Cheah realises that changing the business’ focus was a smart decision. The company has since won several awards including a Superbrands award 2003/2004, an E-Entrepreneur Award 2005 and a Golden Bull Award 2005. Blooming Florist’s market includes customers from Malaysia (78 per cent), United States (nine per cent), Singapore (three per cent) and elsewhere.

Mr Cheah has plans to expand Blooming Florist horizontally, by elaborating on what the business currently does, and vertically, by developing the business along the value chain.

When asked what he enjoys most about his job, Mr Cheah said he enjoys taking chances: “As managing director, I can bring the company into unchartered waters. That is my favourite aspect.”

Mr Cheah advises graduates wanting to start up their own business to accept risk-taking as part of the process: “Starting a business requires clarity of purpose and commitment. But starting a business requires risk-taking. There are uncertainties and challenges along the way. Delayed gratification is often part of the costs and if you are successful in your business, it is very gratifying. The rewards far outweigh the costs,” he said.

Link:

Blooming Florist website