A business without advertising is like talking to someone who is wearing an earphones. You know what you are doing but nobody else does.
But little did you know that an unique way of advertising attracts people to turn and look at your business.
As that being said, a local petai seller in Kampung Slim, Perak has came up with an interesting marketing strategy by dressing up as a Spiderman. Well, it isn’t everyday that you get to see a spiderman selling petai by the roadside.
The 22-year-old friendly neighbourhood Spiderman, Mr.Selvakumar K.Tharmalingam is currently persuing his degree in Bachelor in Business Administration of International Business at a private university in Klang Valley.
Ever since the pandemic started, this young man had extra free time as all of his classes were conducted online so he decided to start back an old family business.
“I started selling petai two months ago. My grandfather used to sell petai but no one in the family took over the business from him. I thought, why not give it a try?” said Selvakumar.
Selvakumar then had an idea to advertise his bitter beans which he decided to dress up as a Spiderman and named it “Spiderman Petai” on social media. He didn’t want to be another ordinary petai seller on the street when he came with this brilliant idea to promote his business which actually gained fame!
He has been gaining a lot of attention for his creative marketing strategy of selling petai around Selangor and Perak since he donned the costume.
“My marketing strategy actually works. It proves to me that one must not only work hard but work smart as well,” said the second-year degree student.
Indeed~
“Now, people will slow down to watch me selling petai, and then turn back to either buy petai or ask for a photo with me. Last time, I had to go look for customers, now I get calls from people ordering petai, including in bulk,” he added.
Selvakumar buys the bitter beans from the Orang Asli community in Perak and travels almost 50km one-way from Slim River to Kuala Kubu Baru, and almost 100km one-way from his hometown to Ipoh to sell the petai for only RM10 per bunch. Customers line up to buy his petai bundles with such cheap price.
The income he gets from the petai business is enough to take care of himself and his grandmother who he lives with as his parents are divorced.
“My parents are divorced. My mother lives in Kuala Lumpur with my younger brother and sister,” he said.
Although it is a tiring job putting on a superhero costume under the hot sun to earn a living but the young man hopes to grow up and achieve his childhood dream which is to become a policeman someday.
The story behing Selvakumar’s petai business is indeed an inspiring tale. Currently, he does delivery to all the states in Malaysia! If you happen to spot him anywhere around Slim River area, make sure to support him by buying his petai.
Here’s wishing all the best in his future undertakings!
Info via: Malay Mail