PETALING JAYA: What began as a painful choice has since turned into a tale of faith, perseverance and triumph for Nurul Jannah Azizon.
In 2018, the former customer service officer made the difficult decision to quit her job to care for her ailing mother and focus on the family, after nearly a decade of waiting to conceive with her husband Jamaludin Kamaruddin, 36.
With no certainty on the future, Nurul Jannah, 39, poured her energy into a small home-based baking business.
The modest venture from her kitchen has blossomed into a trusted name within the Setia Alam community in Shah Alam, with orders pouring in for weddings and during festive periods.
True to the belief that every hardship carries its own blessings, Nurul Jannah’s prayers to bear children was eventually answered with Nur Eshal Medina, six, and Hud Aydin, two.
“Thanks to God, sustenance has become better since then.
“The greatest reward is being able to see my children grow.”
Nurul Jannah offers a wide choice of classic and modern bakes such as semperit, mazola, pineapple tarts, strawberry Swiss tarts, Russian cake, tiramisu and chocolate moist cake, with several recipes inherited from her late mother.
On average, she sells more than 500 jars of biscuits each month, with sales doubling during peak festive seasons.
“After almost 10 years in the business, I’m grateful to have many loyal customers.
“I never imagined that my pineapple tarts would be loved by a customer in London, who orders them annually through a friend here.”
Like many small entrepreneurs, she has faced her share of challenges, including customers who fail to confirm orders, besides competition from bakeries.
“But all this has only strengthened me. It has not broken my spirit. One day, I hope to open my own bakery.
“This small kitchen is not just where I earn a living – it is where my dreams began. I am also thankful for the unwavering support of my husband,” she added.
