When passion meets purpose.
For Zulaikha Zuraimi, founder of Booming Plus, becoming a furniture business owner was something she never saw coming, but sometimes, the best things in life happen by surprise. “I never imagined I’d be running a furniture company one day!” She told Qanvast.
During our exclusive interview, Zulaikha Zuraimi shared how her entrepreneurial journey took several unexpected turns, from selling clothes to planning weddings and eventually to building a thriving furniture brand, Booming Plus, that’s been running successfully for five years. Interestingly, Booming Plus was born in 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. Her story reminds us that when life throws challenges your way, it might just be leading you to something greater.
Read on to discover her inspiring journey and what Booming Plus has to offer today.
About Zulaikha Zuraimi and her entrepreneurial journey
Growing up as the eldest of eight in Johor Bahru taught me responsibility, perseverance, and independence. From a young age, I worked hard to earn what I wanted, a mindset that became the foundation of my entrepreneurial journey. Even as a student, I was already an entrepreneur at heart, selling handmade crafts, helping my aunt with bridal decorations, and sewing sequins on wedding dresses, all while juggling part-time jobs. Those early experiences with creativity and business shaped who I am today.
In 2012, while pursuing my diploma, I began importing sneakers from China and co-founded my first clothing brand, Million Apparel, with my then-boyfriend (now husband). He was the creative mastermind behind the designs, while I managed sales, operations, and finances.
My husband and I have been together since Form 4. We actually met on Myspace, but we went to different schools (because he’s from Kluang and I’m from Johor Bharu). After high school, we both applied to the same university, and luckily, we got accepted into the same course!
We went through diplomas and degrees together. In March 2015, just before completing our studies, we decided to get married, mainly because we wanted to avoid the implementation of GST in April that year. We covered all our wedding expenses using the income from our Million Apparel business, which also helped us get through our university days financially.
Since I’ve always had a passion for event planning and design, I took charge of our entire wedding, from the décor to the attire. I also thought it could be a good backup plan for the future. That experience eventually planted the seed for my own wedding planning company, Booming Planner.
When the clothing scene slowed down in 2017, I didn’t see it as an ending, it was the start of a new chapter. Fortunately, I had already laid the groundwork for my next venture, Booming Planner. I chose the name “Booming” because it represents rapid growth and positive energy. I didn’t want to just bloom, I wanted to boom. What began with renting out my own wedding décor eventually grew into a thriving business, where we managed over 100 weddings across Johor Bahru from 2016 to 2025.
To keep up with the evolving wedding trends in 2019, I decided to upgrade my décor collection and invested my savings in rattan- and wood-themed pieces. But just as the new stock arrived in early 2020, the pandemic hit. With all weddings suddenly cancelled, my business took a hard hit.
Instead of giving up, I decided to pivot my business strategy. To recover my investment, I started selling these items online, and with my husband’s help, we launched plus.booming.my. That’s how Booming Plus was born; out of courage, resilience, and a never-give-up spirit.
We chose not to use Booming Planner’s social media accounts since they catered to a different audience. Instead, I created a new identity — Booming Plus. The name symbolises expansion and progress, it’s still “Booming,” but with a “Plus.” To me, it represents the next level of growth and endless possibilities.
About Booming Plus and what it offers
Booming Plus specialises in rattan and wood-based furniture, timeless pieces designed to bring warmth, comfort, and style to every home. As the brand’s customer base grew, we expanded our offerings to include a wider range of home décor accessories and larger furniture collections, catering to diverse tastes and lifestyles.
We primarily use natural rattan and solid woods such as teak, mahogany and oak as our main materials. These materials are durable, sustainable, and naturally elegant. Rattan, in particular, is special because it is lightweight, flexible, and eco-friendly. It can bring a cosy, organic charm to any space while standing the test of time.
Most of our rattan furniture is sourced from Bali, Indonesia, which boasts a rich and sustainable supply of natural rattan, unlike the more limited resources in Malaysia. By partnering with Balinese artisans, we bring their exquisite craftsmanship and cultural artistry into Malaysian homes, creating timeless pieces with soul and warmth.
Today, customers, especially Malaysians, want more than just furniture; they seek personality, stories, and value behind every piece. I see this shift as an opportunity for creative entrepreneurs to offer meaningful, design-driven products that connect with people on an emotional level.
Our furniture selection is highly versatile, suitable for a range of interior styles from modern tropical and bohemian to minimalist and Scandinavian-inspired homes. The natural tones and textures make it easy to mix and match with other pieces in your space.
About challenges she faced with her business.
Booming Plus began as an online business. But then we expanded our business by opening a physical store in Johor Bahru for Johoreans and Singaporeans to see and feel the products before they buy. This hybrid model allows us to serve both local and nationwide customers effectively.
Starting a new business model was far from easy. The toughest part came during the lockdown, when I was running everything on my own. As a housewife working from home, I managed everything from packing orders to handling customer service, all while taking care of my kids. It was a true test of endurance and resilience. I even brought our furniture home and photographed every piece in our backyard to sell online (pictured below).
But I didn’t see those challenges as obstacles; I saw them as stepping stones. Working from home taught me efficiency, discipline, and the power of consistency.
Besides my husband, my family has been my biggest source of support throughout my entrepreneurial journey. They’ve always been there for me — from helping to pack orders during peak festive seasons like Raya, to lending a hand whenever things get busy. My parents and siblings would even spare their time during school holidays or after work to help with the business, and their unwavering support truly means the world to me.
By mid-2021, the business had grown, Booming Plus has now evolved from a small home-based operation into a thriving furniture brand with its own terrace factory. The expansion allowed us to meet rising demand and operate on a bigger scale.
As our orders grew, so did our team. Having the right people by my side made all the difference. Together, we built stronger systems, improved production, and delivered better customer experiences.
What makes Booming Plus stand out from its competition
What sets Booming Plus apart is our customer-first approach. We don’t just sell furniture, we build relationships and help customers solve their home-living challenges. Every item we offer is carefully curated not only for its design and comfort but also for how it can enhance our customers’ lifestyles and living spaces.
Through our website, they can enjoy exclusive benefits such as free delivery, 10% off their first purchase, point collection and redemption, special combo pricing, and PayLater programmes. Beyond promotions, our CRM enables personalised service by tracking preferences, offering tailored recommendations, and ensuring every customer feels seen, valued, and supported.
When issues arise, we don’t see them as complaints, we see them as opportunities to improve. Our service team is trained to listen attentively, respond promptly, and find solutions that leave customers satisfied and confident in their purchases. We are committed to providing the best after-sales service possible.
Quality control is something we take very seriously as well. Every item goes through a detailed QC process before packing, where we check the finishing, stability, and overall craftsmanship. Our packaging is thoughtfully designed to ensure that products arrive safely, no matter the distance they travel.
Beyond that, we have a dedicated service team to support customers throughout their entire purchase journey. From initial enquiries to after-sales follow-ups, we ensure every customer feels cared for and satisfied. To me, true success isn’t just about selling furniture, it’s about building trust and fostering lasting relationships.
About her goals and plans for the future
My vision for Booming Plus goes far beyond furniture. I’ve always been passionate about home design and architecture, in fact, I was personally involved in building our own home from scratch, transforming a piece of land into a complete house. That experience deepened my appreciation for design, planning, and project management. Today, alongside Booming Plus, I’m expanding into small-scale projects such as home renovations, décor, and house staging around Johor Bahru.
We’re also continuing to grow our online platform and rental services for customers who prefer to rent furniture and décor for their own setups, particularly in Johor Bahru.
Looking ahead, we’re exploring export opportunities to nearby markets like Singapore and Brunei. With strong e-commerce strategies and reliable logistics, I believe Malaysian brands like Booming Plus have the potential to reach a global audience.
Browse and shop a wide selection of furniture and decor at Booming Plus
The Booming Plus showroom is located at 6, Jalan Seroja 38, Taman Johor Jaya, Johor Bahru, Johor. It’s open from 10am to 6pm, Tuesday to Saturday, and 9am to 1pm on Monday.
Alternatively, you can browse and purchase their furniture online at boomingplus.com.
