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Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) students gained practical tools and inspiration to transform hobbies into income-generating ventures at the “From Passion to Profit: Turn your Hobby into a Hustle” industry talk, held on 17th June 2025, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 8 and 17 (SDG 8 and SDG 17).

Organised by Sustainability Future Fusion (SFF), key contributors of the talk included:

1. Khoo Lay Yang, President of SFF
2. Chai Zhe Hee, Vice Secretary of SFF
3. Md Rasik Abid Rudro, Leader of Public Relations and Marketing Team
    

Moderated by Ms Cynthia Mala Paul Dorairaj (Lecturer and Advisor of SFF, School of Business at APU), the talk blended motivational storytelling with actionable advice.

The talk featured two guest speakers whose journeys exemplified what it means to build a business driven by passion.

Mr Kai Wong, Chief Executive Officer at Profere Property Sdn Bhd and Chief Financial Officer at ESP Global Services, shared how a personal interest in growth and human potential led him to co-create a successful platform that empowers others.

Moreover, throughout the talk, he stressed the importance of self-investment, networking, and staying adaptable in today’s fast-changing world.

Meanwhile, Mr Kreeshwar Sukumar, Real Estate Agent at Profere Property Sdn Bhd, gave an unfiltered view into the realities of entrepreneurship.

Throughout the talk, he spoke on the value of consistency, overcoming failure, and staying committed to one’s vision, reminding students that success doesn’t come overnight, but is built through resilience and calculated risk-taking. 

Student Perspectives 

A few perspective from students:

1. Khoo Lay Yang: “Attending the talk reminded me how powerful it can be to pursue what you love and it reignited my belief that even the simplest hobbies can lead to something meaningful and life-changing.”
2. Chai Zhe Hee: “Attending the talk showed me how powerful real stories can be in sparking inspiration and made me realise that sometimes all it takes is one moment like this to give someone the courage to take their first step.”
3. Md Rasik Abid Rudro: “Attending the talk opened my eyes to how much impact a single story can have and made me realise that with the right mindset, even the smallest idea has the potential to grow into something much bigger.”

Fueling Dreams, One Passion at a Time

From identifying personal strengths to building a side hustle while juggling academics, students left with real steps they could take toward becoming their own boss.

In a nutshell, the talk served as a powerful reminder that with the right mindset, guidance, and determination, any personal passion has the potential to grow beyond a hobby and become a fulfilling, purpose-driven career path.