HAVING spent most of her career life working for multinational companies, Quinnie Wan made a bold decision last year when she decided to rebrand a gold jewellery shop, Cinta Gold in Sungai Petani, Kedah, started by her family, specifically her grandfather.
Wan, originally from Penang, followed in her family’s footsteps, rebranding the business established by her father, Wan Wai Kuan, who opened the original gold jewellery shop at the same location in 1986.
Wan’s father was the eldest of the five siblings.
According to Wan, a major rebranding was needed as the business started by her grandfather was too conventional.
“There was no company profile, Facebook, or any publicity to reach out to potential customers. In today’s competitive industry, these are crucial. We need to embrace change to stay relevant.
“Hence, there was a need to rebrand to ensure we lure new groups of customers while sustaining regular and loyal customers,” Wan said during an interview with Buletin Mutiara at her newly opened office called Cinta Gold Global PLT at Auto-City Juru on the mainland recently.
Before Cinta Gold, there was Wah Foong Goldsmith, which was started by Wan’s grandfather, Wan Kai Hong, in 1971.
Wan, during the interview, spoke highly of her grandfather, describing him as a man of perseverance, determination and ambition.
“My grandfather was from China, and he came to Malaysia when he was 12.
“Later, he ventured into the gold jewellery industry, and his company Wah Foong, was a wholesale gold supplier to other gold shops in Penang and Perak,” she said.
Wah Foong, which is still operational now, is located in Bagan Ajam, Butterworth.
During the interview, Wan also mentioned that Cinta Gold customers, even during the time of her grandfather, have traditionally been primarily Malays and Indians.
Now, she has set her sights on forging ties with multinational companies, supplying various gold products for corporate events.
In a related development, Wan emphasised that the family has decided not to expand their current gold jewellery store in Sungai Petani.
“We believe in minimising headcounts and focusing on quality over quantity,” she said.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi