Tan Quan Ming’s decision to leave a decade-long corporate career for eCommerce entrepreneurship raised eyebrows among friends and family who questioned his choice to abandon a stable and lucrative job.
“There’s a saying: ‘If you work for someone, you’re building their dreams. So why not build your own dreams instead?’ That’s why I aspired to start my own business,” Tan explained, reflecting on his motivations for launching AutoBug Club on Lazada in 2018. His online store specializes in automotive accessories, offering items such as car perfumes, vacuums, and jump starter power banks.
Attracting Tan to the world of eCommerce were two key advantages: extensive reach and simplicity. Operating from Petaling Jaya, with a warehouse in Kota Kemuning, his online platform enables sales and deliveries throughout Malaysia and even to some international customers. Tan noted that starting an eCommerce venture also entails lower costs and risks compared to a traditional brick-and-mortar store.
Moreover, the scalability of eCommerce has allowed Tan to dedicate more time to his family. “The most rewarding thing for me is the experience of getting to know my parents and brother better and spending quality time with them,” he shared. “This is something money cannot buy. I value this more than monetary rewards.”
From the inception of his business, Tan understood the significance of engaging customers and creating a memorable shopping experience. He established a dedicated team to personally connect with customers, express gratitude, provide assistance, solicit reviews, and offer various services and support.
“This approach created a snowball effect, allowing us to grow stronger. As our visitor count increased, so did our sales and reviews,” Tan remarked, emphasizing the role of customer feedback in business improvement.
Despite having no prior experience in eCommerce, Tan quickly adapted, thanks to the support and resources provided by Lazada and its community of sellers. He took advantage of tutorials from Lazada University and participated in events organized by the platform. “These events provided us the opportunity to meet fellow sellers and the pioneer batch of Seller Ambassadors, from whom we learned a great deal,” he said.
Additionally, Lazada’s diverse seller tools, such as discount vouchers and free shipping offers, played a crucial role in helping AutoBug Club attract and retain customers. Consequently, the store emerged as the top new seller in the motors and automotive category within just six months of launching on Lazada.
In addition to running AutoBug Club, Tan is committed to assisting other eCommerce entrepreneurs in realizing their ambitions. In 2021, he was named a Lazada Seller Ambassador, and since then, he has shared his insights and expertise with other sellers through Lazada’s Masterclass events.
“As a Lazada Seller Ambassador, we receive training and are constantly updated on the latest tools and changes. We serve as a bridge to the larger seller community, helping disseminate crucial information and insights,” Tan noted. His role also involves testing and providing feedback on new Lazada features to enhance outcomes for sellers.
Tan has also been inspired to manage eCommerce stores for other business owners after engaging with representatives from an angel investment firm for start-ups. His team currently offers comprehensive eCommerce services, assisting clients with store creation, inventory management, and marketing, thereby empowering others to succeed online.
Looking ahead, Tan aspires to become a leading eCommerce enabler in Southeast Asia. He hopes to secure funding that will enable faster growth and allow him to help more businesses achieve their eCommerce sales objectives.
“Everyone has a unique story, and everyone reaches their targets in their own time. It’s not a competition based on speed or revenue,” Tan advised fellow entrepreneurs, encouraging them to follow their instincts rather than conforming to others’ paths.
“I’ve spent the last 3-6 years focusing on becoming a better entrepreneur without fixating on profits. While profit is important, doing things right and ethically is even more crucial to me,” he shared, encapsulating his entrepreneurial philosophy. “When you do things the right way, money will follow. That’s my personal belief.”
