LIFE always offers us a second chance; it is called tomorrow. Sometimes in life, you’re not always given a second chance, but if you do, take advantage of it, and go out with a bang!
Well, that’s exactly what Lobhini Gunasegaran, 30, a Penangite and an avid art lover has done after narrowly escaping a car crash on the Penang Bridge in 2017.
“My car skidded and was close to plunging into the sea as it happened on the Penang Bridge. It turned turtle three times before coming to a stop.
“I was lucky enough to have escaped without any major injuries but just some minor scratches on my legs,” she told Buletin Mutiara during the interview session.
Lobhini, who was a human resources operations specialist before the frightening incident, was trying to overcome the traumatic event, but struggled to do so as the memory and visions kept haunting her.
“A week after the incident, I moved back to the capital (Kuala Lumpur) for a new job. As much as I thought I was able to handle it, it started affecting me mentally more than physically (although I was recovering post-injury).
“It didn’t cross my mind to postpone my starting date because I thought it was manageable.
“When my mental health started to have the upper hand, a close friend of mine suggested I divert my mind on arts (what I love most after travelling).
“He had shared his art supplies, so I could paint during my non-working hours. I started experimenting on blank sneakers.
“It was during that period where I came up with a decision to start up my own business, and I decided to name it ‘The Sambar Incident’,” Lobhini added.
TSI was officially introduced in 2018.
She said she was also inspired from an album cover by Guns N’ Roses 1993 called ‘The Spaghetti Incident’.
“I then switched it to Sambar as I thought it was more relatable to Malaysians. I was going for a fusion of western & Indian; basically what the brand is all about,” Lobhini added.
Lobhini said that the idea of this business is to also represent Malaysian Indian heritage and culture in the fashion industry.
“What started off merely as a creative initiative, I am proud to say my brand now revolves around the heritage and culture of Malaysians, particularly the Indian community,” she added.
When asked about the challenges she had encountered in the course of setting up this business or even now, Lobhini said her minimal business, digital design and fashion knowledge were some she could name.
“I feel like this is my calling. I have never once thought of giving this up and despite the hurdles and challenges, my passion towards the brand seems to be growing each day,” said an energetic Lobhini.
Separately, she has completed her Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) from HELP University in Kuala Lumpur, and currently enrolled in Masters in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
Since TSI was introduced, Lobhini said over 40 designs had already been conceptualised and designed by the in-house local designers, and sold globally in countries such as Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Lobhini’s TSI not only made global presence in the said countries, but gained deserving attention amongst the folk in the entertainment industry in India, in which her designs were notably worn by prominent directors and actors in the South Indian cinema.
It has been quite an eventful life for Lobhini thus far, after having a close brush with death and now making the headline as a growing entrepreneur, so it would be a crime to not get her advice for individuals who are as equally as passionate as she is.
“My advice to all aspiring entrepreneurs is to just go for it. It is also important that you do what you love because when passion overcomes work, work is no longer work anymore.
“Trust me, you will not feel the pain when it is done with love and passion,” she added.
As for future plans, she said the setting up of a retail store is in the planning stage now and is due to open very soon in Kuala Lumpur.
“For now, due to the movement control order (MCO 2.0), we are open for orders only via online,” she added.
Those interested to know more about TSI and the products available, please visit their website at https://www.sambar.my/
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix courtesy of Lobhini Gunasegaran