Ili Sulaiman studied in the School of Business and Management and is now a popular chef known for her cooking shows on the Asian Food Network and as the entrepreneur behind both the tiffin-delivery service DISH by ili, and the steamboat-and-grill delivery service Ili Pot.
What have you found most enjoyable or rewarding about being an entrepreneur so far?
For me personally, it is the journey of self-discovery. In the beginning of my entrepreneurship journey, I was also at a crossroads in my life. I had just returned from the UK two years prior, and I really had no idea what I wanted to do. Did I want to continue in the corporate world, or did I want to explore my passion for cooking?
Looking back, the depth of growth and the sure grit I had to start one of the very first food delivery businesses in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, and to now owning a fast-growing online food business serving hot pot and grill and also being a TV personality, it is the journey that is the most rewarding for me, to look back and realise how far I have come and how amazing some of my accomplishments have been. The best part of it all, is that I am still on this journey of self-discovery and evolution, so I am very excited for what's to come.
Can you tell us about your journey from university student to television personality?
When I was at Queen Mary I used to host dinner parties on campus for friends. There was no buzz word for it then, but some might know them as Supper Clubs. I used to charge about £20-£30 per head and make delicious Malaysian food. I thoroughly enjoyed it and after graduating from University, the recession hit and the corporate job I had lined up after graduation was deferred and I ended up working at Mosimann's, a private dining club in London as a receptionist and then went on to be an event coordinator. It was here that I was able to witness and be trained in fine dining and the service that comes with it.
I was also part of the team that organised and catered for Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding reception. All these experiences made me realise that I wanted to be in the Food and Beverage business, but I wasn't sure.
After returning to Malaysia, I decided to start Dish by Ili, a food delivery business serving home cooked meals in tiffin carriers. I used my hospitality background to give the best service I could to my customers, making them feel like we were friends. This then led them to asking me questions about recipes, about how to pick fresh fish and where did I shop for my produce etc. daily and I thought to myself, maybe I should just put myself on TV and address these questions and share what knowledge I had acquired over the years of cooking. That's when I decided to enter an Asia-wide talent search for the next food host for The Asian Food Network. I wasn't a trained chef, I learned the art of cooking from the women and men in my life, my grandmothers, my mother and other people, so my technique was familiar and not intimidating and, in the competition, I was relatable, and I won the title of Food Hero 2015 and that's what kickstarted my TV Career.
What’s it like being an influencer/role model to so many other women?
When I first started out in the TV/Hosting industry I got the best advice from American pastry chef, Anna Olson, who said to me, 'do everything with sincerity and honesty'. I took that advice and still practice this in everything that I do, from creating recipes to owning up to mistakes as a leader to what I portray publicly to the world. Everything is done with sincerity and honesty. The role as a public figure can be very influential so the responsibility is on you to do what you think is best for your audience. I remind myself of this all the time, I know I am being watched, and what I say or do can and will influence people, so I am going to remind myself again to always be sincere and honest.
What is one of the challenges you have faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
I am faced with challenges everyday as an entrepreneur and as a person in the public eye. I guess the biggest challenge is failing and realizing your failure is a path of just getting better. I was always so critical of my failures and now I see it as an opportunity to grow and just become better. I have failed at almost everything I have done but I am still doing it. I have failed at sustaining a restaurant and had to close it down but now I run a successful food delivery business, I have failed as an employer but learnt to be a better employer, I have failed as a business partner but have learnt how to be a better business partner for my future partners. Challenges are inevitable but it is up to you as an individual to see how you can be vulnerable, honest and sincere with yourself and learn from these challenges and just be better. Also find your tribe, the people who will support you, listen to you and be there for you when you are at your lowest and at your peak. They will be your solace when times are hard.