In Keramat Wangsa, Kuala Lumpur, a mother’s journey from health challenges to entrepreneurial triumph reflects the transformative potential of inclusive social impact programmes. Nor Hashimah Binti Abdul Rahman, once a successful sales representative in a leading pharmaceutical company, saw her world shift dramatically when she was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness and fatigue.
Forced to leave her corporate job, Hashimah turned to entrepreneurship. But with no formal business training, limited capital, and declining health, her venture into e-commerce was fraught with obstacles. Her breakthrough came in early 2024, when she joined the Maybank R.I.S.E. programme — a flagship initiative by Maybank Foundation that provides inclusive entrepreneurship and financial literacy training to marginalised communities, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and their caregivers.
Life Before R.I.S.E.
Before joining the programme, Hashimah was struggling to manage her online business selling Islamic products on Shopee and Lazada. She had also begun side-selling Jus Se7en health supplements and dropshipping for Nubeelife. While she was determined, her efforts were scattered and lacked direction.
The situation became worse when the headquarters of one of her key product suppliers declared bankruptcy, leaving her with a backlog of unsold Al-Quran stock that she could neither return nor liquidate. This tied up her capital and left her unable to scale or diversify. With medical expenses mounting and her household relying on limited income, the pressure to make her business work was immense.
Rebuilding with R.I.S.E.
Through the Maybank R.I.S.E. programme, implemented in partnership with People Systems Consultancy (PSC), Hashimah began to gain the structure and clarity she needed to relaunch her business with purpose.
She benefited most from the Customer Analysis Module, specifically the Customer Value Proposition (CVP) segment. There, she discovered that many of her buyers were price-sensitive and looking for deals — a detail she had overlooked. Armed with this insight, she restructured her pricing, offering slightly lower rates than competitors while maintaining sustainable profit margins.
She also began bundling products for bulk orders and negotiated better supplier terms. These steps helped her clear out her previously stagnant inventory and opened up new revenue streams.
In addition, she applied lessons from the Sales Strategies Module. To attract new customers and build trust in her product, she gifted an Al-Quran to an Ustazah at a local mosque. The Ustazah’s endorsement resulted in greater community interest and boosted sales.
Tangible Growth and Results
The impact of the training was evident in just a few months:
- 733% increase in monthly income (from RM300 to RM2,500 within three months).
- Cleared RM2,000 credit card debt by allocating RM1,000 monthly.
- Enrolled her daughter in a better private school to support her learning needs.
- Contributes financially to the household, including her mother’s and husband’s expenses.
- Increased her mosque donation from RM10 to RM50 weekly.
Hashimah’s ability to rebound financially translated into greater security and purpose. Where once she felt stuck and uncertain, she now operates with confidence and a clear strategy.
The Power of Inclusive Entrepreneurship
Hashimah’s story is a testament to the power of inclusive entrepreneurship and how social impact programmes like R.I.S.E. can help marginalised individuals — particularly PWDs and caregivers — regain economic independence.
Maybank Foundation’s broader sustainability commitment underpins this effort. Through its goal to improve the lives of two million households across ASEAN by 2025, the Foundation focuses on:
- Equipping communities with lifelong financial skills and knowledge
- Addressing current and situational needs
- Building long-term financial resilience
Hashimah’s transformation is a living example of how this vision is being realised. With the right tools, people are not only lifting themselves out of financial hardship — they’re contributing back to their communities in powerful ways.
From Surviving to Leading
With her business now on solid footing, Hashimah continues to inspire other women and individuals facing health or economic challenges. Her story encourages those who feel limited by disability or life circumstances to take the leap into entrepreneurship.
She is proof that resilience, when supported by the right training and ecosystem, can lead to sustained impact. Hashimah’s path from uncertainty to growth highlights the importance of targeting underserved segments with tailored support, not just blanket aid.
Supporting ESG Goals and Corporate Impact
As ESG strategies become a key part of corporate responsibility, programmes like R.I.S.E. present a scalable, measurable solution for driving the ‘S’ in ESG — Social Impact. It not only supports individuals but strengthens communities through job creation, increased savings, education funding, and charitable contributions.
Companies looking to align profit with purpose can take inspiration from how Maybank Foundation has structured the R.I.S.E. initiative — supporting real entrepreneurs, tracking tangible growth, and transforming lives regionally.
Partner for a purpose
Nor Hashimah’s story is more than just a success story — it’s a blueprint for what is possible when impact-driven organisations work together with communities in need. Her turnaround in just three months shows the multiplier effect of knowledge, empathy, and access to opportunity.
If you’re an organisation or corporate seeking to implement a meaningful, results-oriented ESG programme, talk to us at People Systems Consultancy (PSC).
We’ve worked closely with Maybank Foundation to implement R.I.S.E. across ASEAN and would be honoured to support you in building your own social impact legacy.
🔗 Read more about the Maybank R.I.S.E. programme and how PSC helps communities and companies drive inclusive economic empowerment: https://www.peoplesystemsconsultancy.com