From a Side Hustle to Malaysia’s Go-To Custom Phone Case Brand: How Galado Is Redefining Everyday Style
Most people see a phone case as something that protects their phone.
Clement saw something much bigger.
A blank canvas. A personal statement. A way for people to express their personality through something they carry every single day.
That simple idea became the foundation of Galado, a Penang born brand that has grown from a weekend side hustle into one of Malaysia’s fastest-growing names in personalised phone accessories.
Today, thousands of customers across Malaysia choose Galado not just for beautifully customised phone cases, but for products that celebrate memories, relationships, creativity, and individuality.
But success didn’t happen overnight.
It Started After Office Hours
Back in 2014, Galado wasn’t a full-time business.
It was a passion project built after office hours.
Galado was co-founded by Clement and his wife. At the time, both held stable five-figure corporate careers. When the workday ended, another shift began. Evenings and weekends were spent replying to customers, creating personalised designs, packing orders, and fulfilling purchases one by one.
There were no fancy offices.
No warehouse.
No retail stores.
Just two passionate founders working late into the night, driven by a belief that they could build something Malaysians would genuinely love.
For years, they balanced demanding careers while steadily growing Galado.
It wasn’t glamorous.
It was exhausting.
Every missed message could mean a lost customer.
Every small production run came with higher costs because manufacturers required large minimum order quantities. As a part-time business, they often had to source materials through resellers instead of buying directly, leaving them with slimmer profit margins.
Progress was slow.
But they never stopped believing in their vision.
The Leap That Changed Everything
After years of building Galado outside office hours, Clement and his wife made the biggest decision of their lives.
They both walked away from their secure five-figure careers to focus on Galado full-time.
It wasn’t an easy decision.
They were leaving behind stable incomes to pursue a dream they had been nurturing for years.
But they believed that if they wanted Galado to reach its full potential, it deserved their full commitment.
That leap changed everything.
With their complete focus on the business, operations became more efficient, supplier relationships grew stronger, customer service improved, and the brand began scaling faster than ever before.
What started as a weekend passion project gradually evolved into a trusted Malaysian brand with ambitions far beyond personalised phone cases.
Building a Brand That Could Grow
One of Clement’s smartest decisions had nothing to do with phone cases.
It was choosing the right brand name.
Instead of naming the business after a single product category, he wanted a brand that could evolve alongside the company.
That’s how Galado was born.
Simple.
Memorable.
Easy to pronounce across different languages and cultures.
Whether customers speak Malay, English, Mandarin, or another language, the name feels natural and approachable.
More importantly, it gives the company the flexibility to expand into new product categories in the future without being limited by its identity.
It was a branding decision made with long-term vision.
More Than Personalisation
From the very beginning, Galado believed a phone case should be more than just another accessory.
It’s something people carry everywhere.
At work.
On holiday.
During family gatherings.
On special occasions.
Through everyday moments that eventually become lifelong memories.
That’s why personalisation has always been at the heart of the brand.
A customised phone case isn’t simply about adding a name or photo.
It’s about carrying a piece of your story wherever you go.
Whether it’s a favourite memory, a meaningful quote, artwork, or a thoughtful gift for someone special, every design reflects the unique person behind it.
For Galado, every phone case is created to be personal, meaningful, and one of a kind.
Designed to Last. Personalised to Matter.
Personalisation may be what first catches people’s attention, but Clement believes a great phone case should do much more than look beautiful.
Every Galado case is designed to protect what matters most while carrying the stories that matter to its owner.
That’s why the company places equal emphasis on premium materials, reliable protection, precise craftsmanship, long lasting durability, and exceptional print quality, alongside creative personalisation. Every detail is carefully considered so each case doesn’t just preserve memories it also withstands the demands of everyday life.
For Galado, protection and personalisation are never separate priorities.
A truly great phone case should reflect your personality, preserve your cherished moments, and provide dependable protection every single day.
Because the best products aren’t simply beautiful.
They’re built to last.
