Disruptr: Mohamed Shakir, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Handibee
Share with us on what you do and what inspired you to start the business.
- Starting Handibee, a home warranty company, was a personal journey for me. It all began with a frustrating experience with an on-demand service company. As a homeowner, I was constantly faced with unexpected repairs and high costs associated with them. It became clear to me that the business model of these companies is to charge more over time, rather than advocate for preventive maintenance.
- This experience inspired me to think about a better way to approach home maintenance and repairs. I wanted to create a company that focuses on providing proactive solutions for homeowners, rather than reactive ones. That’s when the idea of Handibee was born.
- At Handibee, we believe that every homeowner deserves to have peace of mind when it comes to their homes. That’s why we offer extended home warranty solutions that provide protection for homes against defects and malfunctions for a certain period of time. We are dedicated to providing our customers with the best possible experience and to make sure that their homes are always in top condition.
- Starting Handibee was not just a business decision, it was a personal mission to make a positive impact in the lives of homeowners. I am proud to have the opportunity to create a company that truly makes a difference, and I am excited to see the impact that Handibee will have in the future.
What has the journey been like?
- Starting a home warranty company in Malaysia was definitely a challenging journey. When we first started Handibee, many people were unfamiliar with the concept of home warranty and couldn’t associate it with repair and maintenance. This made it difficult to gain traction and build a customer base.
- But we didn’t let this discourage us. We knew that the key to success was to educate homeowners and landlords about the benefits of home warranty and the peace of mind it provides. We worked hard to raise awareness about our company and the services we offer through various marketing and outreach efforts.
- As we continued to advocate for the importance of home warranty, more and more homeowners and landlords began to see the value in it. They started to understand that a home warranty plan can save them money in the long run by preventing unexpected repairs and providing protection for their homes.
- Despite the challenges, starting Handibee has been a rewarding experience. We are proud to have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of homeowners and landlords by providing them with peace of mind when it comes to their homes. We are committed to continuing to raise awareness about the importance of home warranty and the benefits it provides.
- Starting a business is never easy, but with hard work and determination, anything is possible. We are grateful for the journey we have been through so far, and we are excited to see what the future holds for Handibee.
Biggest achievement and what is one regret that you wish you had or had not done?
- As the founder of Handibee, I am proud to reflect on our achievements as a 14-month-old start-up company. Our biggest achievement to date has been the capability to take TVET technicians and provide them with better working opportunities, elevating their role from just being called “handymen.” At Handibee, we believe in empowering our technicians and recognizing their skills, which is why we no longer refer to them as ‘air-cond guys”; instead, we call them “Cooling Engineers.”
- One of my proudest moments as a founder was witnessing the transformation in our technicians as they embraced their new titles and took ownership of their roles. It is a testament to the impact that a simple change in language can have on a person’s self-esteem and motivation.
- While there are always challenges in any start-up journey, there isn’t any regret. However, the one regret I have is not starting a home warranty plan sooner. As I reflect on our journey so far, I recognize the potential impact our home warranty plan could have had on the market and homeowners.
Where do you see yourself in the next 1 year?
- The primary focus will be on expanding our reach and customer base. I plan to achieve this through various means, such as increasing our marketing efforts, developing partnerships with other businesses, and enhancing our services to meet the needs of our customers.
- I also plan to invest in developing new technologies and processes to improve our operations and customer experience. This will not only help us stay ahead of the competition but will also enable us to serve our customers better.
- Ultimately, my goal is to make Handibee a household name in the home warranty industry by continuously innovating and offering our customers the best possible services and coverage.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
- I envision our home warranty company has established a strong reputation in the industry for providing reliable and comprehensive coverage for homeowners. We will have expanded our service offerings to include additional coverage options for appliances and systems and a more comprehensive range of service plans to meet the diverse needs of our customers.
- We will have a large network of qualified, certified technicians who can provide fast and efficient customer service. Additionally, we will have implemented advanced technology to make filing claims and scheduling repairs as seamless as possible.
- We will also have a strong online presence, including a user-friendly website and mobile app, allowing customers to easily access their account information, file claims, and schedule repairs.
- In terms of growth, we will have expanded our reach to serve customers in multiple states (and even in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei, Australia and more). We will also have partnerships with major home builders and real estate companies, making us the go-to provider for home warranty services.
What keeps you going to keep running the business?
- My passion for solving unreliable house repair and maintenance to more comprehensive and reliable home warranty services to homeowners. The satisfaction of helping people protect their homes and belongings is what drives me to keep running the business.
- Additionally, I am motivated by changing the life of the TVET’s graduates by giving them better opportunities and other opportunities in the future.
- I enjoy finding innovative solutions to problems, building relationships with customers and partners, and continuously improving our services to meet the market’s changing needs.
- What is one local startup you would like to work together with and why?
- I would love to work with any start-ups and any companies Malaysians company. Our company is a build in Malaysia by Malaysians. House builders, house décor, house renovation, real estate agent, property portal, BuyNowPayLater and more.
Who is one founder (local or international) that you look up to?
- Mark Cuban from Shark Tank, he teaching is simple and basic things about start-up that just make senses every time. Here my favorite:
- “Whatever you are studying right now, if you are not getting up to speed on deep learning, neural networks, etc., you lose. We are going through the process where software will automate software, automation will automate automation.”
Why should investors invest in your startup?
If you are looking for something new, Handibee offers numerous benefits and here are some of the key reasons why:
- Growing Market: As more consumers become aware of the benefits of home warranty coverage, demand for our services will increase. This presents a significant opportunity for investors to participate in a growing market and benefit from the growth potential of Handibee.
- Proven Track Record: Handibee has a proven track record of providing reliable and comprehensive home warranty services to homeowners. Our expertise and experience in the industry set us apart from the competition, and our commitment to customer satisfaction ensures that we retain our customers for the long term.
- Innovative Approach: Handibee is committed to innovation and continuous improvement, and our approach sets us apart from the competition. We continuously evaluate and improve our services, processes, and technologies to ensure that we provide our customers with the best possible solutions.