Meet Affira Affendi, a 33-year-old mumpreneur building her Malaysian business on Lazada with two brands: NSA Glamorous and D’Songket.
She started as a part-time seller and has since made a remarkable name for herself in the industry. Affira’s vision focuses on making traditional Malaysian fashion accessible to everyone and she’s also a Lazada Certified Trainer, aiming to uplift other Malaysian sellers in the e-commerce space.
Rising Through Challenges
Affira’s background is not one of privilege. Raised by a single mother, she learned the value of hard work early on. In 2019, she started her entrepreneurial journey by selling small items on Facebook. A friend introduced her to Lazada, which changed everything. Slowly, she launched NSA Glamorous, specializing in Muslim apparel like printed headscarves and prayer garments (telekung).
After achieving significant sales, Affira made the bold decision to leave her job. This choice allowed her to focus fully on her business and led to the launch of D’Songket on Lazada. Balancing work and family was challenging, especially as a single mother. However, with her mother’s support, she managed to meet growing demands and ensure timely deliveries.
In recognition of her hard work, Affira was shortlisted as a Top eCommerce Merchant by the Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (SIDEC) for 2023-2024. She reflected on her journey, saying,
There were nights when I stayed up late packing orders and sacrificed weekends with my children as I constantly sought ways to improve my operations and stay on-trend amidst tough competition. I faced challenges with time management, limited resources, and the pressures of growing the business. Back then, the road ahead looked arduous, but I knew I had to persevere for the sake of my family.
Celebrating A Passion For Tradition
Image via D’Songket
D’Songket is close to Affira’s heart; it became her pride and joy as she can share her passion for Malaysian traditional fashion. Specializing in handmade songket crafted by local artisans from Terengganu, D’Songket celebrates and honors Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage. She shared the value of traditional handmade designs,
Our products are loved because they are individually handmade, with each design limited to a single piece. This makes every piece exclusively unique, as our customers come to appreciate their cultural significance and beauty, which has become the foundation of our brand. No two pieces are the same.
Affira Affendi, Founder of NSA Glamorous and D’Songket
Inspiring Future Entrepreneurs
In 2021, Affira decided to share her e-commerce knowledge by becoming a Lazada Certified Trainer. She realized she could help other sellers succeed. At Lazada University, she hosts weekly classes, guiding entrepreneurs on how to maximize their store’s potential.
She teaches them to use the platform’s tools, including data dashboards and AI features. Her dedication earned her the title of ‘Top Favorite Lazada Certified Trainer 2024’ at the recent Seller Summit. Affira’s journey demonstrates how a Malaysian business can thrive while uplifting others. Her story is a testament to resilience, cultural pride, and hard work.
With inspiring entrepreneurs like Affira, Malaysia’s e-commerce future looks bright. If you want to succeed, now is the time to join Lazada and start your own journey!
Featured Image Credit: Sinar Daily
