Specialising in bags which bear her signature eco-prints, Nurliza crafts tote bags, kiss lock bags, pouches and more.
“I find eco-printing therapeutic,” the 50-year-old told FMT Lifestyle, adding that working on these handicrafts brings her a sense of peace amidst the other heavy responsibilities she juggles.
Nurliza, who has four adult children, continues to support her two youngest, one of whom has mild autism. She also lives with and cares for her elderly parents.
Her home-based business, she shared, provides her with the flexibility to be physically at home where she’s needed while still earning an income.
Her business is also a way to equip her 25-year-old autistic son with valuable skills he can use.
“I’m concerned about how he will survive when I’m no longer around. So, I thought, if I teach him some skills now, at least he will be able to generate an income after I’m gone,” she said.
Her son has mastered several aspects of the eco-printing process, she said, and seeing him enjoy the work and growing more confident by the day fills her with pride and happiness.
Nurliza uses cotton fabric and leaves from trees like papaya, guava, and teak to make her eco-print handicraft. These trees, she said, grow around her home in Seremban.
After selecting the leaves, she arranges them on the fabric, before rolling it up tightly and steaming it.
The most exciting part of the process, she said, was unrolling the fabric after it is steamed to discover the prints that have been created.
“Some of the prints are really amazing. That’s why I fell in love with eco-printing,” she said, adding that she also loves nature.
When she started her business in June last year, she initially focused only on bags. Over time, she included lanyards, key fobs, lipstick cases, mugs and even water tumblers.
Passionate about sharing her knowledge with others, she began teaching others the art of eco-printing last November.
In addition to her eco-print designs, she uses traditional fabrics such as batik and songket in her stunning collection of products. She also takes custom orders, tailoring her creations to meet individual preferences.
While she initially sold her products at pop-up booths and to her family and friends, a bigger opportunity arose when she joined the Khadijah Artisans Mentoring Program.
A collaboration between Khadijah International Waqf (L) Foundation (KIWF) and Persatuan Pembangunan Artisans (PPA), the programme provides women artisans from low-income backgrounds with the guidance they need to succeed, while also expanding the distribution channels for their products.
Today, she is delighted that her products are available at PPA’s outlet in Berjaya Times Square, where they have been well-received by customers. In fact, her first batch of products sold out and she has since restocked more items.
“The programme has helped my business grow significantly,” she said, adding that they will be introducing her kiss lock bag at the Expo 2025 in Japan later this year.
The mentoring sessions, she shared, have provided valuable insights, especially in setting appropriate prices for her products that reflect the time and effort involved in creating them.
Being a part of the programme has given her a sense of excitement about the future and boosted her confidence to dream bigger. She shared that she now hopes to expand her brand internationally.
She also plans to offer eco-print classes for individuals with special needs. Just as she is doing with her son, she hopes to equip this group of people with skills so they can be financially-independent.
As she looks ahead, she shared what fuels her passion and keeps her going. “Every time my products do well, it inspires me to push forward,” she concluded.
For more information about My Rizqy Empire’s products, contact Nurliza Nis Naim at 011-55277763.
Read more about the Khadijah Artisans Mentoring Program, and its artisans here.