Author: Baby Goh PKT
Company: Cleansions By Bumiteras Resources Sdn.Bhd
Position: Managing Director
Baby Goh She Rises
Part 1: Past Experiences and Challenges
The lowest point of my life came during the electronics industry recession in the 1980s. Both my husband and I were factory workers, yet work was reduced to only a few days a week. Despite the unstable income, we still had to service house and car loans, raise three young children, and support my parents-in-law who lived with us. Life felt heavy, but I never allowed myself to fall into despair. Instead, I switched into survival mode.
I did whatever was necessary to keep the family afloat. I made curry puffs and cookies to sell, joined various direct-selling businesses, and marketed anything that could generate income from household items to basic door alarm systems. I took advantage of every small opportunity, even managing informal group-purchase systems among factory workers during
rotating shifts. Those days were exhausting and chaotic, but they taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of taking action instead of surrendering to fear.
Part 2: Current State and Transformation
A major turning point came when my mother-in-law fell seriously ill with cancer, and the responsibility of caring for my children became even more complex. With my mother’s support, I hired an Indonesian domestic helper, which later sparked the idea that changed my life. I began recommending Indonesian domestic helpers on a commission basis, which
gradually grew into a small service business. From there, I expanded into cleaning services.
What started with just two cleaners grew into a team of 80 within two years. When another recession hit and clients reduced their workforce, I faced one of the hardest decisions of my career. Instead of abandoning my workers, I absorbed losses, restructured the business, and shifted focus toward residential cleaning to ensure sustainability.
Today, my life is stable and comfortable. However, success to me is not measured by money. Though I am not a university graduate, I managed to provide all three of my children with overseas education—raising an engineer, an MBA graduate, and a master’s degree holder. The change I am most grateful for is my growth from merely surviving to being able to support others.
Part 3: Message and Blessing for the Future
My journey has taught me that hardship builds empathy. When you have walked through financial and emotional struggle, you naturally understand the pain of others. That is why my current purpose is giving back—supporting NGOs, helping critically ill children, donating blood for many years, and pledging my organs as a donor.
To anyone who feels lost like I once did, I want to say this: do not look back. Keep moving forward. If you fall, get up and walk again. Never give up. Trust, honesty, resilience and compassion will always carry you through. Whatever skills, strength, or kindness you have—use them, share them, and do not take them with you to the grave. That is the true power that lights up the future.
You reap what you sow.