Can you believe it? Your favorite burger joint, Dream Burger, inspired by genuine ingredients and designed to make you smile every time you come by, is now four years old—with more than 10,000 burgers enjoyed! I’m Shirley, and I’m thrilled to share our story as I recently had the incredible opportunity to be invited to a fireside chat with Exabytes AWEWE with Matrika. It was an incredible networking event with the market influencers that I had the opportunity to met as well who shared their wisdom with everyone.
This fireside chat also earned us a feature in Penang Monthly, where the wonderful Joan Liao penned a beautiful piece on women entrepreneurship. Join me in this riveting real-life tale of perseverance, community support, triumph, and a deep love for bringing out the best in ingredients. Our journey is one of excitement and resilience, fueled by a simple yet powerful passion: creating great, quality burgers that not only delights but also nourishes people’s stomach and brings people smiles.
The Humble Beginnings of Dream Burger
My love for food started from humble beginnings when I worked as a waitress at a boutique hotel’s café right after completing my secondary school exams, or SPM as the locals call it. I was fascinated by how a well-prepared dish could bring so much happiness to people, often leading them to share stories of their travels and cherished memories with their close ones. These stories opened my mind of a small islander off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia to beyond what I was living, and as this happens more frequently I hypothesise that food was the bridge connecting their experiences to my understanding.
For years, I remained passionate about quality food, always drawn to dishes prepared with love and care by dedicated chefs. My cravings for burgers had always been met with options like Ramly Burger and McDonald’s, which often left me feeling nauseous due to their highly processed ingredients. Then, COVID-19 struck.I knew there had to be a better way—a way to make burgers with fresh, genuine ingredients that brought out natural flavors rather than masking them especially with most burger stall now closed. It was a genuine “Fuck It” moment and decided to take action.
With a strong desire for burgers that were more than just a quick fix, I created my first menu—a DIY concept that allowed each burger to be unique, much like the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ambitions of the people who enjoyed them.
This passion for authentic, high-quality food led to the birth of Dream Burger in a tiny 11 sq ft kitchen in my home.
What started as a passion project quickly to a pop-up stall in multiple locations in Penang evolved into a full-fledged business, driven by the relentless pursuit of turning a dream into reality.
For years, our burgers have made beef the star of the show. We've meticulously crafted our buns and perfected the beef-to-bun ratio to deliver the ultimate flavor experience.
Resilience Amidst Challenges
No entrepreneurial journey is without its challenges, and Dream Burger was no exception. To be clear, I still don’t see myself as an entrepreneur in the traditional sense—it was my passion to create well-prepared, flavorful dishes and share them with more people that brought Dream Burger to life. I would summarize my approach in two key principles.
Be quick on your feet. Problems? Solutions? Not viable? Find another solution. The problems never end; you just become more adept at conjuring solutions as your experience grows.
Don’t complain. It’s an excuse to avoid what’s at the door for your next step required.
Through it all, you’ll learned that challenges are opportunities in disguise. They pushed you to think creatively, adapt quickly, and never lose sight of the bigger picture—bringing the best burger experience to everyone.
Success Amid Adversity
Despite the hurdles, Dream Burger has celebrated numerous milestones. From a home based delicacies to opening the first physical location and collaborating with different entrepreneurs around Malaysia and creating a community around great burgers, each achievement has been a testament to the power of perseverance and it definitely doesn’t stop here. These successes are not without the contribution and effort of the team that has been the foundation of the company along with the community and customers of supporters.
This was renovation of once a blank canvas of Dream Burger
This is us on a busy weekend =) Join us for great artisanal burgers!
With each challenge conquered, with each setback overcome, your journey to building your own empire inches closer to realisation. So, fellow entrepreneurs, keep the faith, stay resilient, and let your unwavering passion light the way to a future filled with endless possibilities.
In conclusion, remember that every setback is an opportunity for growth, every challenge a chance to showcase your resilience. Embrace the journey, cherish the learnings, and above all, never lose sight of your dreams. The road to success may be arduous, but with unwavering determination and a sprinkle of hope, you can conquer any obstacle that comes your way.
Keep pushing, keep believing, and watch as your dreams of building an empire unfold a burger at a time.
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