Cover Wan Muhammad Bin Wan Sa’adi (second from right) with his fellow founder Mysara Elysha (second from left), together with their bakery collaborators who own a family-run business, with whom they connected during their studies. This partnership now supplies Nibbles Café with freshly baked pastries, cookies, and cakes. (Photo: Wan Muhammad Bin Wan Sa’adi)
Wan Muhammad Bin Wan Sa’adi (second from right) with his fellow founder Mysara Elysha (second from left), together with their bakery collaborators who own a family-run business, with whom they connected during their studies. This partnership now supplies Nibbles Café with freshly baked pastries, cookies, and cakes. (Photo: Wan Muhammad Bin Wan Sa’adi)
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Taylor’s University’s Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (Honours) in Team Entrepreneurship programme, with its emphasis on mentorship and practical experience, is turning aspiring entrepreneurs into successful business owners
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the buzz of conversation fill the air at Nibbles Café in SS18. For Wan Muhammad Bin Wan Sa’adi, the café’s co-founder and a graduate of the Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (Honours) in Team Entrepreneurship (TE) programme, this moment is the culmination of hard work, innovative thinking, and practical skills honed through an education designed for real-world impact.
Wan's entrepreneurial spark ignited during his studies at Taylor’s University. “Initially, I never saw myself being interested in business,” he admits. “But as I gained a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be an entrepreneur—it sparked an idea in my mind about the life I wanted to lead.”
A hands-on approach to entrepreneurship
Unlike some conventional programmes that focus heavily on theory, the institution’s TE programme offered a practical, hands-on approach that resonated with Wan. “It was the first of its kind, where learning takes place through team learning and working on real client projects—allowing me to think outside the box and adapt to real-world challenges.” he explains.
This approach is a cornerstone of the programme, as Dr Zalena Mohd, Programme Director, explains. “Offered since 2020, the TE programme draws inspiration from the renowned Finnish Team Academy model, which has a proven track record of developing entrepreneurial mindsets and skills.”
The programme is built around three core strands, The Enterprise Strand, where students create real ventures; The Team Strand, where they manage team companies; and The Individual Strand, which focuses on personal development. “From Semester 1, team entrepreneurs immerse themselves in real-life business scenarios, from business ideation and prototyping to commercialisation,” Dr Zalena adds.
Engaging mentorship and industry connections
Above Wan together with his fellow classmates post attending an insightful talk by a German entrepreneur, invited by the institution. (Photo: Wan Muhammad Bin Wan Sa’adi)
Wan together with his fellow classmates post attending an insightful talk by a German entrepreneur, invited by the institution. (Photo: Wan Muhammad Bin Wan Sa’adi)
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For Wan, the mentorship programme proved invaluable. “Teams met with assigned mentors weekly to refine our business ideas, keeping them innovative and strategic from the start of the programme until its completion.”
Dr Zalena elaborates, “Students are paired with multiple team business coaches who are industry professionals, offering expertise tailored to their ventures. These external mentors provide industry-driven insights and networking opportunities, enhancing the learning experience.”
“The programme also emphasises essential skills such as effective communication, problem-solving, strategic planning, risk assessment, and critical thinking, supported by modules such as Venture Creation, Creativity and Innovation in Entrepreneurship, Growing and Sustaining a Venture, Business Consulting Project, among others,” Wan shares.
Creating a community beyond coffee
Above Wan and fellow founder standing in front of Nibbles Café, the Sarawakian-inspired café in SS18 that promotes healthy living and mental health awareness. (Photo: Wan Muhammad Bin Wan Sa’adi)
Wan and fellow founder standing in front of Nibbles Café, the Sarawakian-inspired café in SS18 that promotes healthy living and mental health awareness. (Photo: Wan Muhammad Bin Wan Sa’adi)
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Nibbles Café’s initial concept, healthy milkshakes, evolved after Wan and his partner secured a café space.
“While we maintained our commitment to health and well-being, we expanded our offerings to reach a wider audience,” Wan explains. Nibbles Café differentiates itself through its “free-space” concept, promoting mental health awareness and self-expression.
“It’s more than a café—it’s a community where people can truly be themselves and feel a sense of belonging, which is what I am most proud of in my entrepreneurial journey,” Wan adds. By integrating Sarawakian elements, Nibbles creates a unique cultural experience, setting itself apart in Subang Jaya’s competitive café scene.
Above The cosy and minimalist interior of Nibbles Café, designed to create a welcoming and open space for customers to be themselves and connect with like-minded individuals. (Photo: Wan Muhammad Bin Wan Sa’adi)
The cosy and minimalist interior of Nibbles Café, designed to create a welcoming and open space for customers to be themselves and connect with like-minded individuals. (Photo: Wan Muhammad Bin Wan Sa’adi)
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Wan also acknowledges the challenges, particularly in building the right team. “Finding people who align with our vision was crucial. Every day is a new day for me, and it motivates me to come up with creative ideas to explore based on calculated risks and time—eventually, a habit to stay open-minded and adaptable,” he reflects.
Looking ahead, Wan’s aim is to strengthen his operational team to enable him to concentrate on management, branding, and business expansion, while staying true to Nibbles’ mission.
Above Dr Zalena Mohd, Programme Director of the Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (Honours) in Team Entrepreneurship at Taylor’s University, who played a pivotal role in mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs like Wan. (Photo: Taylor’s University)
Dr Zalena Mohd, Programme Director of the Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (Honours) in Team Entrepreneurship at Taylor’s University, who played a pivotal role in mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs like Wan. (Photo: Taylor’s University)
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On the education front, Dr Zalena envisions continued growth for the TE programme. “We aim to empower students with a dynamic, globally connected ecosystem, fostering innovation and promoting sustainable entrepreneurship.”
Wan's journey from student to café owner demonstrates the power of practical entrepreneurship education. Nibbles Café is a testament to how academic learning, real-world application, and entrepreneurial mindset can drive success.
Drop by Taylor's Open Day on 15-16 March or 22-23 March to explore how the Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (Honours) in Team Entrepreneurship can help you turn your business ideas into reality. New intakes in February, April, and September, discover more here.
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Credits
Photography: Courtesy of Taylor’s University
