Building a fruitful business, one platter at a time

PETALING JAYA: A colourful fruit platter may look effortless on the table. But for Azlan Nasrin Nazree and Hany Liyana Masri, each arrangement is the result of trial and error, financial losses, and lessons learnt.

Their Kuala Lumpur-based home business, Buah Klub, has come a long way since it began in January 2023. Today, it offers more than 20 fruit-platter designs, bringing a healthy and colourful touch to potlucks, special occasions and corporate functions.

Behind those beautifully arranged platters is the story of a couple determined to turn a simple idea into a thriving business.

The inspiration came while Hany, then a housewife caring for their older son Habib Hijazi, noticed how much her son loved fruit and saw an opportunity to turn that into a home business.

“I wanted to serve fruit in a way that people could enjoy immediately. At the time, fruit platters weren’t widely available,” Hany, 31, told FMT Lifestyle in conjunction with International Fruit Day today.

The idea ticked all the right boxes. It required preparation but no cooking, giving Hany the flexibility to care for Habib, then aged two, while earning an income.

The couple first promoted Buah Klub through social media, with customers placing their orders via WhatsApp. To ensure maximum freshness, they sourced the fruit the day before and assembled each platter about an hour before delivery – a practice they still follow today.

At first, Azlan continued working as a mechanical engineer. But as demand grew, he joined the business full-time.

Their commitment to quality came with a steep learning curve: choosing ripe, sweet and visually appealing fruit often involved trial and error.

“When we picked the wrong fruits, we had to buy new ones, so it meant taking a bit of a loss,” Hany recalled.

Keeping the fruit fresh was another challenge. Over time, they learnt techniques such as soaking sliced apples and pears in saltwater to prevent browning.

Logistics posed yet another obstacle. Initially, the platters were packed in simple plastic bags, making them difficult to stack securely during delivery.

“We kept brainstorming until we came up with the packaging we use today”, which allows larger orders to be transported more easily, Azlan said.

Buah Klub’s customers now include companies and even a member of a royal family – something the couple never imagined when they first started the business as a side gig.

Last year, they expanded by launching Buah Klub Academy, offering an e-book as well as online and in-person classes covering topics such as fruit selection, preparation and arrangement.

According to Azlan and Hany, more than 600 students have enrolled, including from Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei. Most are women, especially housewives who can now earn an income while caring for their families.

The couple said 70 to 80 graduates have since begun selling fruit platters of their own. Buah Klub focuses on orders within KL, while enquiries from other parts of the Klang Valley, as well as Kedah and Kelantan, are referred to students in those locations, helping them build businesses of their own.

“It makes me happy to help other women who are looking for ways to earn an income for their families. Being able to do that feels like a dream come true,” Hany said.

Looking ahead, they hope expand further by introducing fruit buffet tables and even opening a physical outlet.

For Azlan and Hany, the greatest reward has been watching what began as a simple idea blossom into a business that continues to bear fruit.

To learn more about Buah Klub or place an order, click here. For enquiries, send a WhatsApp message to 013-367 5587.

Follow Buah Klub Academy on Instagram and TikTok.