From a humble eatery to a booming car accessory business, Kacey Legacy highlights the transformative journey and the determination of four siblings in Sunway City.
Originating from Kelantan and settling in Sunway City, the story of Kacey Legacy revolves around four siblings: Wan Nur Zulaikha binti Wan Zulkifle, Wan Nur Adilah binti Wan Zulkifle, and the brothers, Wan Muhammad Shafiq and Wan Muhammad Shahir bin Wan Zulkifle both alumni of Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah, Putrajaya.
Named after the Kelantanese word for ‘nuts,’ ‘kacang,’ which also means easy or simple in its slang terms. Their business, initially a family restaurant, transitioned into a renowned automotive accessories shop, specialising in car wraps ranging from Myvis to Lamborghinis and Mustangs.
With celebrity clientele such as Syamsul Yusoff and Wak Doyok, Kacey Legacy made its mark. So how did the four siblings take a leap from restaurateur to venturing into the automotive industry?
The answer lies within the oldest son amongst the four siblings, Shafiq, who spearheaded this change.
As illustrious as their clientele and their reputation sound, it did not start off easy. Instead, their initial restaurant business was suffering during a pivotal time for their family.
“When I took over the Kacey restaurant, it was because my mother had become ill, suffering a heart disease and being diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. So I took over the business. But at that time, I struggled, possibly because it wasn’t something I was passionate about, so in just six months, it collapsed,” said Shafiq
“We didn’t know what to do at the time, we were so lost and dumbfounded, we really didn’t know what else to do,” recall the siblings.
It was a trying time for the family. With the weight of his family on his shoulders, Shafiq realised that he needed to pivot the business to help his family.
It was at this moment he realised that maybe it was time to shift to a field he loves and something that was more within his expertise.
Before Shafiq could venture into the new business, he would first need the approval and blessing of his other siblings. So, he started to pitch to them one by one to get their buy-in. Lucky for Shafiq, all his siblings had agreed to his new business plan.
“We were confident in him because we know he has business acumen,” said Adilah who hailed from SMS Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra, she continued by saying how when they were little Shafiq would be selling their mum’s homemade nasi lemak to his schoolmates.
Both Shafiq and Shahir have expertise in car wrapping as both of them had graduated from The Otomotif College, which gave them the confidence to shift the business in that direction. “Their experience ensures we’re not entering this venture recklessly,” Zulaikha said.
With little to no money to start the business and wanting to avoid getting into debt, the family took a bold initiative and started selling everything they could, from their Kelisa family car to fridges and tables just to raise enough capital to start.
In Shafiq’s mind, this was a make-or-break situation, and to him, failure was not an option.
“It was an entirely new business, we had to rebuild the store to fit the new business, and we bought all new stock. We started things with very small capital. Other people usually start with hundreds of thousands of Ringgits, but ours was way less than that,” said Zulaikha an alumna of Kolej Tunku Kurshiah.
After raising some money, Kacey Legacy was launched. Like most businesses, the first few years are always the hardest.
From setting up the business to clientele acquisition to training new staff. It was definitely the busiest time for Shafiq and his siblings.
“In the first year, they hardly saw me at home. If I was around, it was typically only on the weekends but even so it was a rare sight… I would leave the house at dawn, right after Subuh prayers,” Shafiq said.
Slowly but surely, things started to look up for the family, and they began to profit within the first year despite the challenges they faced at the start.
Kacey Legacy started humbly, with limited funds, yet the family’s determination propelled them forward. Leveraging individual strengths, each family member took on a role that later formed the pillars for their business to run smoothly.
Each sibling assumed a key role. Zulaikha, with her accounting degree from the University of Auckland, oversaw administration and finances.
Adilah leveraged her experience in learning international business at Taylor’s University to attract and manage high-end clientele.
Shafiq often delegated client communication to the youngest, Shahir, an automotive expert like himself. Shahir not only consulted with clients but also led a team, ensuring seamless communication. He would also lead the team to ensure effective communication with customers.
Each sibling, with their distinct personalities and skills, contributed crucially to the success of Kacey Legacy, highlighting the significance of family values in business.
They emphasised, “Even though we siblings have significantly different personalities, to maintain and sustain Kacey, we can team up effectively,” Shafiq notes.
“Operating a family business is complex, as disagreements are inevitable. In business, mutual respect is essential. However, when mistakes occur, they must be acknowledged and addressed with care. This represents a significant challenge in sibling collaborations.”
The journey of Kacey Legacy is more than just a business story. It’s a testament to family values, resilience, collaboration, and the belief that together, they can overcome any challenge.
Their diverse backgrounds and experience are united by a shared vision. Bearing this in mind, they have not only cultivated a business that transcends mere profit, but they have also established a lasting family legacy that binds them together.
