Nur Alya Mona Jikim has finally built an empire in the food and beverage industry alongside her husband Rizal Jamali. She has been boosting the food brand she has been working on since 2017 with passion and dedication, and she has yet to give up.
Woman behind King Laksa Sarawak’s success
With the aim of helping her husband, Nur Alya Mona Jikim, 38, owner of King Laksa Sarawak, finally builds an empire in the food and beverage (F&B) world.
With her passion and commitment, this Sarawak native refuses to give up on promoting the food brand she has been working on since 2017.
The popular food brand in Sarawak, which is registered under Rizalya Sdn Bhd, has two restaurant outlets in Kuching — Kota Samarahan and ICOM Square.
“The third location, God willing, will open in January at Metro City, Matang, Kuching.
“Even before that, we rose with full optimism in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to launch our second branch in ICOM Square. At the same time, demand and sales soared dramatically.
“God willing, we hope to open several more branches in the major cities in the next five to 10 years. Each branch is also expected to make an RM4 million profit per year,” she said.
As the brand’s acting director and the wife of the founder, Rizal Jamali, Nur Alya Mona intends to look into expanding the franchise or licencing for new outlets in Sarawak.
“We hope to open branches in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah within the next five years. We anticipate opening another branch in Bangsar in early 2024. Insha’Allah, we are also exploring for opportunities to open branches abroad.
“At the same time, through the Positive Customer Experience Journey motto, we want to continue to provide the best service and hospitality to our valued customers. It entails creating a business operation manual for the work team and management to follow in order to carry out daily tasks involving customers, as well as report on any dissatisfaction from their end.
“Of course, our personal objective is to create and provide high quality food to customers without compromise. My mission is also to bring Sarawak’s menu and cuisine to the attention of the world,” said the mother of two.
Nur Alya Mona has worked in various fields before solely focusing on the F&B business.
It consists of information technology project coordinator, personal debt advisor, clerk, and business manager.
“But, in the end, the world of food and beverage became my favourite. I entered this business with 1,001 tests and hurdles as well.
“I also started this business with the guidance of RichWorks Company, which is run by Datuk Wira Azizan Osman. I opted to pawn my first gold bracelet for RM5,000 for the purpose of knowledge and the desire to enrol in his class. With such guidance, I was able to run my business properly and with a clear direction.
“I agree that this business cannot afford to be reckless. There must be knowledge. I am now grateful to manage 52 employees in addition to owning a factory and headquarters. For additional information, visit https://linktr.ee/kinglaksasarawak,” she said.
Aside from that, this brand is currently expanding its services to include catering for corporate and private events.
“Of course, our specialty is preparing Sarawak Laksa with large-sized shrimp, a very sweet filling, and a thick and viscous sauce. Don’t forget that King Laksa sambal paste is also popular!
“Our sales profits have also increased significantly, from RM373,351 in 2017 to RM7 million this year (2022).
“In addition, I open job opportunities for people in need with strong guidance from our group,” said Nur Alya Mona.
This year, she was nominated for the Top SME CEO Award and the Top 500 Trust Brand Award, National Consumer Action Council in Kuala Lumpur.
She added that its brand, which includes Sarawak Laksa, has become a favourite celebrity pick.
“They are Ella, Alyah, Ernie Zakri, Sweet Qismina, Adam Lee, Daler Yusuf, Yana Samsudin, Zizan Nin, Mas Idayu, Ismail Izzani and influencers such as Kasih Leona Iris and Nur Sajat,” said the winner of the Promising Brand Food & Beverage category, Bumiputera Business Excellent Business.”
