http://journal.umk.edu.my/index.php/ijecs <p><strong>The International Journal of Entrepreneurship Case Study (eISSN:2948-3832) or IJECS is a double-blind, peer-reviewed, open-access journal that focuses on case studies and is published twice a year in June and December.</strong>IJECS addresses the fundamental issues of entrepreneurship and business and publishes original quantitative or qualitative case studies on all aspects of entrepreneurship and business in local and international contexts. The primary audiences for this journal are scholars, academicians, policymakers, and practitioners whose interests are in entrepreneurship and business discourses, practices, and activities.</p> <p>Teaching cases offers students the opportunity to explore real-world challenges in the classroom environment, allowing them to test their assumptions and decision-making skills before taking their knowledge into the workplace.</p> Global Entrepreneurship Research Innovation Centre en-US International Journal of Entrepreneurship Case Study (IJECS) 2948-3832 http://journal.umk.edu.my/index.php/ijecs/article/view/1554 From modest beginnings, Mrs. Hazelizan fought to make a name in the cutthroat F&B industry. Every day, when she opened the doors of Ayang Café, she was reminded that success was not how she began or what she learned but how she persevered to move ahead. With every challenge, she grew stronger, making Ayang Café more than just a place to dine. It was a beacon of hard work, creativity, and the courage to chase one's dreams. There were doubting voices, naysayers who questioned her ability, doubted her vision, and whispered words of discouragement. But instead of allowing negativity to slow her down, she used it as a filter to refine her business vision. "Instead of listening to others' doubts, I should focus on improving and expanding the business," she often reminded herself. Demand was growing, customers were asking for more, and she knew Ayang Café could become something more. But with growth came new issues, the search for a larger location, managing greater operational costs, and the right individuals to maintain the quality of the café. The fear of her ability to grow Ayang Café business was still lingering in her mind. Now poised at the doorstep of something larger, Mrs. Hazelizan was confronted with the biggest challenge so far – business expansion. Wan Fariza Azima Che Azman Nurul Faizah Halim Zakiyah Taharim Copyright (c) 2025 International Journal of Entrepreneurship Case Study (IJECS) 2025-04-16 2025-04-16 4 1 10.51471/ijecs.v4i1.1554 http://journal.umk.edu.my/index.php/ijecs/article/view/1555 A gentle drizzle tapped against the windowpane, signaling the end of a long, hot summer. The dusk sky stretched across the horizon, painting the evening in deep gold and indigo. Mr. Syafie Shukery sat by the window, his fingers curled around a warm cup of coffee, enjoying the quiet. However, his mind was far from calm. The dream of owning his own bakery had always been on his mind, but now, it was no longer just a dream—it had to become a reality. The steam curling into the air like the warmth of a freshly baked loaf, he let out a breath and set down his cup. His hands, which were frequently covered in flour, had spent years honing the art; he knows he had excellent cooking and baking skills. Courage was what he needed now. He had already left his job at the Hotel Perdana, Kota Bharu, Kelantan and finding another was out of the question. There was no turning back. His skills, his passion, and his years of experience—all of them had to be poured into this one endeavor. Failure was not an option. But having a great product was not enough. He had seen many skilled bakers struggle, not because their pastries weren’t delicious, but because no one knew about them. "The real challenge isn't the baking—it's the marketing," he muttered to himself. He exhaled, putting down his cup. If he wants his bakery to thrive, he needs a marketing strategy. How will he get people to see his creations? How can he make his brand stand out in an industry flooded with options? Marketing isn't just an option; it's key to keeping his business going, without it, even the best pastries won't get noticed. Wan Fariza Azima Che Azman Nurul Faizah Halim Copyright (c) 2025 International Journal of Entrepreneurship Case Study (IJECS) 2025-04-16 2025-04-16 4 1 9 15 10.51471/ijecs.v4i1.1555 http://journal.umk.edu.my/index.php/ijecs/article/view/1556 Norshakinah, Afif, and Aiman saw their goats breeding in abundance. Being a breeder is normal, but if they want to progress and succeed, they have to turn farming into a profitable business opportunity. Acknowledging the inherent limitations of traditional small-scale farming, the three of them set out to strategically transform their current goat-rearing operations into a strong and expandable business in order to capitalize on the growing market demand for products made from goats. Yet, they have lacked entrepreneurial skills, so they partnered with Ammar and Farah. Their expertise in business, food science, and agriculture created a balanced synergy, paving the way for an innovative student venture, Harvest Herd Farm (H2F). They foresaw an opportunity to integrate modern agricultural techniques, a strategic business model, and sustainable agriculture to create a value-added product line that would differentiate them from traditional farmers. They asked themselves if they were confident enough to grow the project into a successful business venture. "If we are willing to sacrifice and be brave enough to take risks, why not?" Under the dim glow of the café lights, five pairs of eyes met, each filled with ambition and the spark of possibility. Although they possessed the necessary abilities, know-how, and steadfast support from Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), it was insufficient to ensure success. They understood the need for synergy in addition to expertise to make their vision a reality. Nurul Faizah Halim Wan Fariza Azima Che Azman Dzulkifli Mukhtar Copyright (c) 2025 International Journal of Entrepreneurship Case Study (IJECS) 2025-04-16 2025-04-16 4 1 16 22 10.51471/ijecs.v4i1.1556 http://journal.umk.edu.my/index.php/ijecs/article/view/1557 In the early morning of Friday, August 23, 2023, it was likely a storm silently brewed over Tuan Muhammad Muiz Bin T Nordin, known as Abang Cendol. An ordinary morning spiraled into chaos when a complaint flooded in, revealing an unexpected truth where 5,000 bottles of VCendol had turned out spoiled overnight. Panic had setting in as he grasped the magnitude of the disaster, threatening his business. Abang Cendol, as the owner of Versatile Food and Beverage Enterprise, was deeply troubled by that personal blow. For the first time ever, he found himself unprepared when all 5,000 bottles of VCendol were undrinkable! This incident caused significant financial losses for his company and the dream he had fought so hard for suddenly seemed fragile. But true to his entrepreneurial spirit, he would not surrender to despair. Though unprepared, Abang Cendol reminded himself as a visionary entrepreneur, challenges were inevitable and part of the journey. Absolutely would not limit his ability to succeed even though he had poured heart, soul, and relentless effort into building VCendol from the ground up. Nevertheless, so many questions started to linger in his mind: What would be the consequences if he failed to resolve the issue? Would he face legal action from customers? Would his business have a future? Despite his concerns, guided by the trustworthy belief: “There is nothing in this world that you cannot do. Just stay focused, be persistent, and work hard to make it happen. No hurdle is insurmountable.”—Dr. Roopleen] Hazrina Hasbolah Syamsuriana Sidek Nur Syafiqah A. Samad Copyright (c) 2025 International Journal of Entrepreneurship Case Study (IJECS) 2025-04-16 2025-04-16 4 1 23 31 10.51471/ijecs.v4i1.1557