Traditionally, entrepreneurship has been about profit and corporate success. However, a new wave of social entrepreneurs is changing the game. They’re not just chasing profit, but on a mission to create positive change. Meet Daniel Teoh Yong Liang, who stands among several inspiring Malaysian social entrepreneurs, building a legacy of change makers for future generations to follow.
His social enterprise, Native Discovery, is known for working with indigenous communities in Peninsular Malaysia such as the Temuan, Semai and Mah Meri tribes to name a few. Together, they co-create community-based tourism ventures and build non-tourism experiences that showcase the community’s unique heritage in distinctive ways. These might manifest in products like indigenous foods, contemporary art, and traditional crafts.
With a civil engineering degree from the University of Nottingham Malaysia, Daniel offers a personal insight into the start of his journey as a social entrepreneur.
Passion Ignites Change
As Daniel puts it, “Imagination is crucial for anyone aspiring to make a difference. To influence change, one must envision a path forward.” Despite the naysayers and the challenges ahead, he embarked on a life dedicated to social entrepreneurship, a road less travelled. “When I first started, many believed I was sacrificing my career for an impossible dream. But always remember, you alone understand your journey best,” he urges.
His entrepreneurship spirit started to blossom during his university years. Founding what today is known as the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) Floorball Club, Daniel reminisces recruiting players, having to explain the rules of the relatively unknown sport at the time, described as a type of floor hockey. The result? The team won the University Championship in floorball. “I also ventured into selling meals from my dorm room, defying doubters who said it wouldn’t be profitable. To me, failure is not a deterrent. It’s a stepping stone. I encourage our young generation to go beyond just dreaming — take action and pursue them,” Daniel shared.
Sustainability Lessons from the Orang Asli Community
Under the Native Discovery banner, Daniel emphasises that he treats the community as equals, debunking the misconception of a superior party coming to help an inferior one. In fact, his engagement with the Orang Asli community has given him valuable insights, especially when it comes to sustainability. “The Orang Asli’s natural inclination to secure a better future for their children struck a chord with me. They have a saying that goes, ‘Punan-punan Hai’, which translates to ‘no cravings’, a belief system that emphasises harvesting the environment’s produce for consumption according to one’s need,” said Daniel. This philosophy addresses overconsumption issues and the role of all parties in keeping the Earth’s resources sustainable for generations to come.
Malaysia’s Potential in Social Entrepreneurship
Daniel believes that Malaysians have the potential to impact lives through social entrepreneurship and contribute solutions to bridge social gaps. “I hope more Malaysians realise they can effect positive social change wherever they are, even if they’re not working in the social sector. Seize the opportunities you see,” Daniel concludes.
Daniel’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of social entrepreneurship. His story demonstrates that with passion, determination, and a commitment to make a difference, individuals can positively impact their communities and inspire others to do the same.
To date, Daniel and his team at Native Discovery have engaged 30 local community members and connected with over 500 guests, all with a goal of helping wider audiences understand the invaluable role of indigenous people in nurturing our world.
