Pg Aqil Pg Jaya, Liydia Abd Latif, and Liyana Imani Abdul Latif started their cat-themed cafe business in 2023 after the trio were inspired by their love of coffee and their beloved and adorable cats, Remy, Melati and Abu.
“We wanted to create a unique space and community where people could enjoy high-quality coffee in a cosy, cat-themed environment,” said one of the founders, Pg Aqil.
The trio are not only cat and coffee lovers, but they also run their own construction company together, The Ruman Co, which helped kickstart their dream of opening their own cat-themed cafe brand dubbed ‘The Feline Coffee Co.’
“Before opening our coffee shop business, we were focused on establishing and growing our construction company, The Ruman Co, which we started in April 2023,” he shared.
“This company laid the foundation for our cafe ventures by providing us with the necessary resources and expertise to create unique, cat-themed coffee shops,” he added.
“Each of our cafes is named and themed after one of our beloved cats, making them special and personal to us,” he explained.
The coffee shops named after their three cats took shape and form and transformed from vision into reality with their first cafe, Remy Coffee, named for the founder’s gray tabby, which opened its doors in Muara in December 2023.
The success of their first cafe paved the way for the opening of its second coffee shop, Melati Coffee located at Petani Mall in Tutong, marking a milestone in the growth of the homegrown business.
“We chose Petani Mall for Melati Coffee because it is a vibrant area in Tutong with a lot of foot traffic and a strong sense of community. The location also allows us to reach a diverse group of customers and be part of a bustling retail environment,” he shared.
For the founders, opening up their cat-themed coffee place at different locations was the natural business step for them to take.
In June this year, the cat lovers turned business partners decided to open their third coffee shop in Muara, inspired and named after their playful orange tabby, Abu.
Upon entering the namesake cat-themed cafes, customers are greeted with photos of the fluffy CEOs.
Every aspect found in each coffee shop is well thought out, from the menu to the interior, everything is designed and inspired by each cat’s unique character and charisma.
“Melati, our domestic long-haired cat, is the inspiration behind Melati Coffee. We wanted to create a space that reflects her charm and personality. The cafe’s decor, ambience, and even some of the menu items are inspired by her. Boss Melati represents the welcoming spirit we strive to offer our customers,” he shared.
In addition to that, the trio also wanted to create a sense of community and a comforting atmosphere as they wanted people to feel at home when they came through the doors.
Since the opening of Remy, Melati and Abu coffee, the business has been getting positive responses and amazing support.
“The reception has been incredibly positive. Our customers appreciate the cosy atmosphere, friendly service, and individual cat characters. We have received a lot of support from the local community, and it’s been rewarding to see our local team members also enjoy being part of the journey,” he said.
The founders, however, shared that with growth, comes challenges.
Like many food and beverage businesses, the founders shared that operating the cafes in the early stages had its challenges, but it has also helped them learn more about the business and the market.
“Over the past few months, we have learned the importance of being responsive to customer needs and feedback,” they said.
“One significant change we’ve implemented is extending our opening hours to better accommodate our customers’ schedules. We now open earlier in the morning, allowing people to start their day with a fresh cup of coffee from our cafes,” they added.
The founders also noted how the management aspect has been a learning curve for the coffee business.
“One of the main challenges we’ve faced is ensuring that each branch maintains the same welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Creating a consistent vibe within our staff across different locations is essential, but managing diverse personalities can be challenging,” they shared.
“We overcame this by emphasising our core values during training and fostering a strong team culture. Regular team-building activities and open communication have helped us build a cohesive and motivated team,” the founders further highlighted.
Over time, one of the significant challenges for the entrepreneurs was also maintaining the quality of ingredients while keeping prices consistent.
“This has become particularly difficult with the recent global increase in chocolate prices. To address this, we’ve worked closely with our suppliers to secure the best possible deals and have explored alternative sources without compromising on quality,” they explained.
“Additionally, we’ve optimised our menu to ensure we can offer high-quality products while managing costs effectively,” they added.
Looking back at their entrepreneurial journey, Pg Aqil revealed that over time they were so relieved that their efforts and patience began to bear fruit with the community as a consistent source of support.
He also noted from their previous business how their customers became a key aspect of the business’s success, emphasising good customer service and building relationships with them.
The trio-preneur also hopes their journey could inspire the next generation of business owners.
Pg Aqil’s advice for people of any age who are looking to open their own business is to work hard and stay consistent.
“Success doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s crucial to remain dedicated and focused on your goals. Avoid distractions that can derail your progress,” he shared.
He also added that the government of His Majesty has been supportive of youth initiatives, especially entrepreneurship.
“This initiative encourages the youth to be more self-sufficient, creative in their business and independent as well as taking the government’s call to play a role in economic development further allowing them to be self-reliant, self-sustainable and business-minded,” he said.
He also further highlighted that Brunei can easily grow its market by improving its value proposition to investors and potential visitors.
“The government has a large role to play as like in Singapore the government is a key facilitator to ensure that people want to spend money in the country,” he explained.
“Please make efforts to increase the attractiveness of Brunei to potential investors and tourists. Don’t focus on just the macro items, the day-to-day microeconomic considerations should also be taken into account,” he added,
As Pg Aqil, Liydia and Liyana look ahead to the future, they are excited about the cat-themed cafe’s growth and customers.
“The next big step for the Feline Coffee Co is to expand beyond Brunei. We’re looking into opportunities to open new locations in neighbouring countries,” they shared.
“In the next few years, we hope to see our beloved cat-themed café become a well-known and loved brand in the region, continuing to offer unique and delightful experiences to our customers,” they concluded.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
