This blog was updated on 09 May 2025, for more information connect with our team: https://www.easystore.co/contact 

Empowering B40 and Asnaf Entrepreneurs with EasyStore and MicroBizReady

To support small businesses from the B40 and Asnaf communities, CIMB introduced the MicroBizReady initiative, with EasyStore as the ecommerce solutions partner.

The objective of this program is to equip SMEs with the skills and tools they need to grow—through training in digitalization, business strategy, and financial literacy.

Since its launch in 2020, more than 200 participants have benefited from the program. 

These include general business owners, women entrepreneurs, members of the Asnaf group, and individuals from the differently-abled community.

Looking ahead, another cohort of 50+ Asnaf entrepreneurs will undergo similar training, which will provide them with a strong foundation in digital tools and business knowledge to scale effectively.

Taking the First Step Toward Digital Transformation

When introducing new technology or changes to existing business processes, resistance is natural.

Most participants in MicroBizReady already had their businesses up and running — small restaurants, roadside stalls, direct selling, or word-of-mouth referrals. 

However, they were not yet leveraging technology to operate or expand their businesses.

The program begins by identifying and addressing existing challenges. One of the biggest hurdles? Getting their businesses online.

Nearly all participants lacked an online presence.

Yet today, the top three sources of brand and product discovery are digital: social media, search engines, and online retail platforms. To thrive, businesses must be visible online.

Why Going Online Matters

Participants in the program learn the benefits of building a digital presence, including:

• Reaching more customers beyond their physical location

• Increasing discoverability across digital channels

• Creating a more seamless and convenient customer experience

With EasyStore, they are empowered to set up their own online stores — right from their phones.

“If I knew it was this easy to build a website for my business, I would’ve done it a while back.” — Hasmah, MicroBizReady Participant

Streamlining Order Management

Another common struggle for these entrepreneurs is the time spent on manual tasks: replying to WhatsApp messages, tracking payments, and confirming orders.

These tasks take time away from higher-impact efforts, like marketing on social media or exploring new sales channels.

With an EasyStore-powered website:

• Product information is readily available for customers

• Orders can be placed 24/7 without back-and-forth communication

• Order details are automatically recorded in the backend for processing

By automating these tasks, business owners gain back valuable time to focus on growing their businesses.

A Commitment to Economic Inclusion

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, especially in the post-pandemic recovery era. Their success is vital for sustainable growth.

At EasyStore, we remain committed to supporting micro and small business owners with the tools and opportunities they need to scale, regardless of their background or starting point.

Together with CIMB and Taylor’s University, we continue to empower more small businesses to future-proof and grow their ventures in the digital economy.

Make Customers Love Buying From You

EasyStore empowers your brand to prioritize customers and enhance their experience, creating a unified customer experience (UCX) that makes customers love buying from you.

Over 50,000 brands have grown their businesses by embracing unified customer experiences (UCX) strategy through EasyStore across multiple sales channels - online store, retail outlets, marketplaces, and social media, ensuring consistency in product and service offerings for a seamless shopping journey.