Meley Alug: From Door-To-Door Stylist To Inspiring Entrepreneur

GUA MUSANG, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- With a hairdressing bag slung over her shoulder, and her children’s hands firmly in hers, an Orang Asli woman once went from house to house offering hair styling services - a determination which ultimately transformed her life.

Nearly a decade later, that perseverance bore fruit for 36-year-old Meley Alug, from the Temiar tribe in Kampung Dusun Raja, Kuala Betis Resettlement Plan (RPS). Today, she no longer needs to travel from door to door; instead, clients now come to her, as she runs a thriving hair salon business from the comfort of her own home.

Looking back, Meley said that the greatest challenge of running a mobile salon was keeping her two young children calm while attending to customers, a process which sometimes took up to four hours.

“At that time, the children were still very small, so I had to constantly soothe and manage them while working,” she recalled.

Her business began to flourish after receiving support from the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) two years ago, which provided essential equipment such as a hair-washing chair, a hair dryer, and a hair steamer, she told reporters, today.

“Now, customers come directly to my home for additional services such as hair washing and treatments,” she said, adding that she is now a mother of four children, aged between one and nine.

A savvy businesswoman, Meley also implemented creative marketing strategies, offering discount promotions during festivals, and a re-grooming guarantee, to attract and retain customers.

She said that her income can reach up to RM2,000 a month, especially during festive seasons, with service prices ranging from RM10 to RM150 for adults, and just RM5 for children.

Meley dreams of one day opening a salon in a more comfortable space, and hopes that her success will inspire other Orang Asli women to boldly utilise their skills and pursue their own ventures.

-- BERNAMA