One lunch One “No” One global business.
Sometimes the biggest ideas don’t start in boardrooms. They start at the supermarket candy aisle.
Back in 2014, Simon, a Malaysian lawyer working in the UK offered to buy sweets for his Pakistani friend’s children during a lunch in Farnborough.
She said no. “It’s not Halal.”
He tried again. Indian cooking paste this time.
“No. Just because it’s Asian doesn’t mean it’s Halal.” That moment hit differently.
The UK’s Muslim population was rising fast. Demand was there. But access? Almost nonexistent. Even halal vitamins were hard to find.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia? Halal options were everywhere. That gap wasn’t small.
It was a screaming opportunity.
“I grew up in a country where I could buy anything for any Muslim friend of mine.” Simon
And just like that, HalalStreet.co.uk was born.
The Spark That Refused to Fade
Simon didn’t quit law overnight. He didn’t raise millions. He didn’t pitch investors. He went home.
And he taught himself to code.
After long days at the corporate law department, he built the first version of what would become Halal Street UK, a halal e-commerce platform connecting Malaysian SMEs to UK consumers.
He didn’t see himself as a creator.
He saw himself as someone uncovering value that was already there.
Like Michelangelo said, the statue was always inside the marble. Simon just chipped away at the excess marble to reveal Halal Street UK.
Why Malaysia Is Built for This
Here’s what most people get wrong about Malaysia.
We’re not just multicultural We’re a powerful blend of civilizations
Malay. Chinese. Indian. Kadazan. Iban.
Not clashing, blending.
Halal mooncakes. Putu mayam.
Layered flavours. Layered stories. Simon calls it a “blend of cultural metals.”
And the world? They’re hungry for it.
Halal Street UK proved something powerful:
It wasn’t just Malaysians abroad buying keropok. Caucasian Brits were buying it too.
Some even learned the hard way that keropok needs frying first. Authenticity sells.
The Pineapple Paradox
Simon noticed something deeper when helping Malaysian SME exports grow. Give a Western consumer two pineapples:
- Malaysian MD2
- Hawaiian pineapple
They might love the Malaysian taste more. But they’ll pay more for Hawaii.
Why?
Hula girls. Tiki torches. Aloha vibes.
Malaysia has the world’s oldest rainforest. Year-round tropical weather. Rich cultural fusion.
But too many local brands shrink themselves to fit Western shelves. Simon’s advice?
Stop.
Simon’s No BS Advice for Malaysian SMEs Don’t change your packaging.
Vietnamese and Korean brands go global in their original language. That’s power. That’s authenticity.
Learn the trade laws.
Yes, some products like honey face restrictions. But most Malaysian halal food can enter the UK with the right compliance knowledge. Own your identity.
The world doesn’t need another Western copycat. It wants Malaysia.
“Everyone else is taken. Be yourself.” Simon And that hits.
The Founder Mindset That Built It All
Simon didn’t grow up privileged.
Single mother. Five boys. Tight money.
He grew up with a simple belief: life has two halves.
First half?
Not your fault.
Second half?
Fully your responsibility. That mindset built resilience.
Before smartphones even existed, Simon developed a handheld computer tool for lawyers back in 2000.
Innovation wasn’t a trend for him. It was survival.
Halal Street UK wasn’t about hype.
It was about service.
From B2C to B2B The Bigger Vision
Today, Halal Street UK UK isn’t just shipping. Since launch, Halal Street UK has onboarded over 4000 MSMEs merchants, exported over 7000 SKUs lines.
Building a subscriber base of 20,000 in the UK.
It’s building a global halal trade gateway.
The platform has proven the B2C model works. Earning the company numerous international nominations and awards. Now it’s expanding into B2B targeting wholesalers and mainstream UK retailers. This isn’t just about Malaysian halal food anymore.
It’s about Malaysian SME export power. It’s about cultural pride going global.
It’s about rewriting the narrative.
The Bigger Message
That lunch in Farnborough wasn’t random. It was a reminder.
When you see a gap, don’t scroll past it. Build the bridge.
Halal Street UK is more than halal e-commerce.
It’s proof that Malaysian products belong on the world stage.
And if you’re a Malaysian founder thinking about exporting to the UK? Hear this clearly:
People already love what you make.
You just need the confidence to show the world. Malaysia isn’t small.
We’ve just been thinking too small.
And Simon?
He decided to think global.
