Popcorn represents one of the most popular snack foods for consumers in a large part of the world. A freshly made popcorn produces a crumbly taste, crunchy texture, and a fluffy mouth-filling feeling at every bite. Using a self-built machine and a manual method, local producer Anas Popcorn takes the snack to a different level.
Unique flavours different from the rest
Popcorn — sweet, creamy and crispy — is well known as a snack for the movies. Different brands of popcorn have their own distinct flavours. For local popcorn producer Anas Popcorn, the brand is known to have its own unique array of flavours, which differentiates them from the rest. According to founder, Kawi Li, the distinct taste has something to do with his method of popping corns.
On a trip to his warehouse in Kota Semarahan recently, Kawi explained in detail how their popcorns are made. He said that his employees were taught how to make popcorn the traditional way. “We used gas to fire up our popcorn machine. We have been using this very same method since we started.” Kawi also said that he built his own popcorn machine from scratch.
“Back then, I didn’t have enough capital, so I had to build the machine by watching Youtube. When it was completed, it didn’t work like how I intended it to. It couldn’t pop a single corn. So I tried and improvised, and finally, I could pop a whole sack easily!” he recalled.
The machine produced popcorns with a unique taste, and Kawi began to generate a steady income. To increase his productivity, he began saving and later purchased six automatic machines. That was when his regulars started complaining. “They told me my popcorns tasted like the ones in the cinema! I was flabbergasted. That means, the new machines couldn’t produce the same distinct taste that the old machine did. So I had to keep using the old one.”
Kawi continued to build another two, and although the warehouse has a total of three self-built machines today, the entrepreneur said that it is still a challenge for the production team. “The thing with the self-built popcorn machines is we had to adjust the fire manually to avoid overheating the popcorn.”
During the interview, the aroma of fresh popcorns at his warehouse was extremely enticing.
The creamy scent of melted butter, blended with the sweet and thick smell of caramel and other flavours wafted quite far away — and I can even taste it with my mouth closed.
Kawi revealed that initially, he started with just RM800 in capital. “It was not much. I was just trying to earn an extra income aside from my full time job to get by.” The man is an entrepreneur by heart, and he said that he had tried his hand in numerous businesses, but found little success. Finally, he settled with popcorn. Why popcorn? He answered that it was simply because of his son’s love for the snack.
Kawi started his business at a night market circa 2016. The following year, he expanded his business through a food truck concept, selling mainly at Kuching Waterfront. In 2018, he managed to set up his own shop. Last year, he expanded his business to a warehouse to accommodate the large amount of orders he received during the movement control order (MCO) period.
Success built on hardship
“Actually, behind every difficulties and challenges that God gives us, there is an added advantage. Imagine if I had a huge capital back then, I would have immediately bought a popcorn machine and it wouldn’t have the same distinct taste that Anas Popcorn is known for now,” said Kawi. He believed that despite all the struggles, fighting for the survival of his business with whatever means necessary was the essence of what made him who he is today.
Sharing his advices to other struggling entrepreneurs, Kawi said that it is better not to start with a huge capital. “As entrepreneurs, we should start with the money we have on our hands. If we have RM100, we should start with just that RM100. In the end, the capital is not actually the money but ourselves, the entrepreneurs.”
Elaborating, Kawi said that a business’ growth depends on the creativity and innovation of its founder. “Running a popcorn business is normal. We may spend a lot to grow it, but what’s certain is what we aspire it to be. Most importantly, when it comes to business, it depends on our own will and effort.”
From kampung to the world
To Kawi, his concern was always the community surrounding him,”The most important thing is to remember your roots. I am grateful that the business has grown tremendously. I’ll never forget those who helped me when I first started. Now, Anas Popcorn’s mission is to give back and help local communities. My popcorn business has helped me, and now, it will help others too.”
In the future, Kawi hopes Anas Popcorn will be among the local brands that will found success overseas. “In five years, we aim to see our kampung brand in Southeast Asian countries such as Brunei, Singapore and Indonesia.” At the moment, Anas Popcorn is readily available statewide with nine different flavours releasing at intervals.
