It all started in 1987 when he started a business in his hometown of Melaka, selling household products such as brooms and brushes. Instead of a physical shop, he sold his products from a van.
“I had no money back then and borrowed money from my uncle. I used some of the money to buy a van,” the 61-year-old told FMT Lifestyle.
With that van fully stocked with his products, he travelled to villages and estates as far as Negeri Sembilan and Johor.
The hours – like the distance he traversed – were long. More daunting were the numerous complaints from customers who said his product range was limited and his prices too high.
The toll of being an entrepreneur in such tough conditions began to take a toll on him. But he wasn’t ready to give up just yet. It was time for a drastic change.
So, he focussed on items that the rubber tappers in the estates needed, such as sharpening stones for their rubber tapping knives.
He spent time with these rubber tappers to learn more about what made a good sharpening stone, then sourced for these stones and sold them. Later, he ventured into other plantation-related products such as rubber tapping knives.
He began entertaining ideas of starting his own brand of products. And in 1990, he did exactly that.
“Back then, there was a brand of scissors and knives called ‘Eye Brand’ or ‘Cap Mata’ in Malay. So, I decided to name my brand ‘Jaya Mata’,” he shared, adding that the word “jaya” came from the word “berjaya” which means to succeed.
Today, Tan has an impressive number of products under the Jaya Mata brand. These include a variety of knives – paring, carving, bread and even one specifically for opening durians!
He also sells other kitchen utensils such as ladles and spatulas as well as rubber and palm oil harvesting tools.
These products, Tan shared, are produced in more than 60 factories in Japan, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Brazil and of course, Malaysia.
“Many people have asked: ‘why do I have so many production factories?’ That’s because one factory focusses on a single item and that’s how they produce good-quality products.”
Although Tan’s clients were initially wholesalers, today he has a retail store at Aeon Mall Bandaraya Melaka, which he opened in 2016.
In that same year, Tan received two awards from the Malaysia Book of Records for making the “Largest Kitchen Knife in Malaysia” and the “Biggest Golok Knife”. For the unfamiliar, a golok is a cutting tool similar to a machete.
In 2020, his second retail outlet was opened at Jonker Street, on the ground floor of a quaint shophouse which Tan revealed is over a century old.
There’s something else that makes this outlet special: the first floor is dedicated to the Jaya Mata Malaysia Knife Gallery (Jonker Walk) – where one can learn about the history of knives and swords, among others. The gallery is a passion project for Tan, who spent over a decade in research before opening it.
Today, Tan, who is a father of three, is happy to have his son, Dylan helping him in the business.
Looking back on his experience, Tan stressed the importance of branding. “For a business to be sustainable, it must have a strong brand.”
Hence, he is grateful for the support of Persatuan Pembangunan Artisans (PPA), an NGO that helps local artisans widen their distribution channels through its online platform, physical stores and pop-up events.
“I hope that more people will know about Jaya Mata. And that is why I’ll continue making good quality products.”
To purchase their products, visit Jaya Mata’s website, Shopee, Lazada or their outlets:
• Jonker Street
104 & 106, Jalan Tokong, 75200 Melaka
Business hours:
10am–7pm (Monday–Thursday)
10am–10pm (Friday–Sunday)
• Aeon Mall Bandaraya Melaka
Business hours: 10am–10pm daily
Follow Jaya Mata on Facebook and Instagram.
Read more PPA stories and get to know its artisans here.