From Small Trade to a Community Essential

Maju Mart 99 Sdn Bhd began simply with a decision to keep going.

After earlier business attempts, Zaini Binti Said started again from a small shop selling coconut milk. Spices came next. Then groceries. Step by step, Maju Mart 99 took shape.

Since opening in 2017 in Kuantan, Pahang, the store has grown into a trusted neighbourhood grocery, especially among residents of Taman Kempadang. Once run alone, it now operates with a dedicated team supporting daily operations—reflecting steady growth built through consistency and understanding local needs.

Seeing Opportunity Where Others Didn’t

“There were no gas sellers on the left or right of the area. I took the opportunity.”

Zaini understood something crucial about retail: survival depends on relevance.

While many grocery stores sell similar items, she identified a daily necessity others overlooked—cooking gas. Food may be essential, but without gas, nothing gets cooked. By offering gas sales alongside groceries, Maju Mart 99 positioned itself as more than a shop. It became a solution.

To go further as a grocery store, Zaini introduced home delivery for gas cylinders, ensuring customers could still rely on her store even when time or mobility was limited.

Did You Know?

Maju Mart 99 became one of the earliest and most recognised cooking gas suppliers in its area, making it a default choice for local households long before competitors entered the space.

Supermarket Quality, Neighbourhood Distance

“The difference is distance. We give quality without wasting customers’ time.”

Freshness is non-negotiable when it comes to vegetables. While many customers are willing to travel far for supermarket-quality produce, Zaini asked a better question: Why should they have to?

By sourcing vegetables directly from farmers, Maju Mart 99 delivers fresh, longer-lasting produce right within the community. Farmers maintain high standards because they serve multiple buyers, ensuring consistency without compromise.

The result? Customers get quality comparable to supermarkets without the travel, traffic, or inconvenience.

Progress Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

“So far, we only store our database on the store’s phone.”

Zaini believes in starting with what you have. By using a dedicated store phone to collect customer names and contact details, she began building something many small retailers overlook: data.

This simple database allows her to update customers on new stock, manage relationships, and understand buying patterns, proving that even traditional grocery stores can evolve in the digital age.

Little by little, it adds up.

Leadership and Transformation with RichWorks

As the business grew, Zaini realised that hard work alone was no longer enough. To grow further, she needed structure, clarity, and stronger leadership.

Inspired by Prof. Datuk Wira Dr. Azizan Osman, she joined RichWorks Consulting Group. Within three months, she progressed to SPIRE and eventually earned her place in The Titan mentorship program.

Through this journey, Zaini strengthened her mindset, decision-making, and ability to manage a growing team, turning Maju Mart 99 into a business that could scale sustainably.

More Than a Grocery Store

Maju Mart 99 represents resilience. It reflects years of trial, failure, adjustment, and courage. From helping her mother sell traditional snacks as a child to employing others as a business owner, Zaini’s journey proves that success doesn’t come from getting it right the first time.

It comes from refusing to stop.

And today, for the people of Kempadang, Maju Mart 99 isn’t just a place to shop but a store they trust, built by someone who understands exactly what the community needs.