Working as a freelancer has it perks but it comes at a cost. Freelancers often lament on how difficult it is to ply their trade despite having proper documentation, commendable work ethics and positive testimonials from their clientele. The challenge is frequently felt when attempts are to secure deals with large organisations or the government, which is near impossible for ‘solopreneurs’ in Malaysia, presumably due to perceptions of legitimacy.
Freelancers also struggle to secure bank loans, which requires evidence of a stable income; an inequity to micro-service providers who typically work with a small pool of seasonal customers. The situation became dire during the pandemic phase, where many skilled freelancers were swept out of business and had to take up odd-jobs to make ends meet.
However, not all is doom and gloom for freelancers who have latched on to Zonar, an emerging homegrown app that leverages on geolocation to connect customers who are seeking service providers such as plumbers, personal trainers, and tutors within their proximity.
Zonar functions as a one-stop-shop for freelancers, or fondly referred to as experts, to creatively market their offerings free-of-charge. The communication lines between the experts and the end-users are direct and in real-time, which allows both parties to independently discuss the terms the service and to forge a mutual working relationship.
What sets Zonar apart from other virtual marketplace platforms is its ease to onboard and use. In the near future, the app hopes to go the extra mile by equipping experts with marketing tools, accounting services, and insurance. These added features will allow freelancers to focus on their trade and manage their day-to-day operations efficiently.
“We want to make sure it is the easiest, cheapest and fastest way to connect and market. Experts on Zonar will only have to pay if they acquire additional services and tools for them to further market their business. External vendors will also be plugged into the service and the experts can benefit from it,” said Daniel Wallis, founder, and CEO of Zonar.
The novel factor
The inspiration behind Zonar is tied to the defunct YellowPages but it is more than a mere directory. As the pandemic robbed many of their livelihoods, there was a global surge in the gig economy, as many resorted to freelancing to sustain themselves. Apps like Zonar allows members of the public to render their expertise without being shackled by full-time employment.
Zonar is a Malaysian-based company with a twist, and the team behind Zonar is uniquely diverse with the founders and members coming from all over the globe, including Malaysia, Japan, the UK and USA. Firms based in the United States, Japan and the Malaysian government agency, MDEC are some of the investors and partners backing Zonar.
Empowering the local community
Zonar’s eagerness to bring communities together stems from Daniel’s belief that the startup scene in Malaysia is yet to be developed but he is optimistic of the potential it has.
Zonar is bullish on seizing the entrepreneurial spirit of Malaysians and Daniel claims that “Malaysians have a great mindset and reaction to starting businesses.” Aligning with the aim of connecting the local community and facilitating the relationship between experts and customers, the platform can be optimized as an avenue to social network and create immense visibility for micro and small entrepreneurs.
Next steps for Zonar
Although the company is Klang Valley-centric currently, the goal is to expand gradually across all states and to Southeast Asia in due time. With the brand firmly intending on connecting with the community, Zonar is expected to carry out events with local groups directly. Daniel shares, “This originally came from the idea of sending plumbers to retirement homes and it expanded from there into the whole range of Zonar services and community integration.”
The application is set to launch in the third quarter of this year.
by Saashmitta Norah Oyen & Hardip Singh Rekhraj
This article is contributed by Venturous PR, a student-led communications agency from Taylor’s University, School of Media & Communication (SOMAC). As an entrepreneurial sandbox for senior PR undergraduates, Venturous PR strives to make innovative communication solutions accessible to Startups and SMEs. The project is part of Business Today’s social engagement initiative with PR students to promote ethical journalism. This Startup is part of MDEC’s Malaysia Digital Hub Community, which provides impactful intervention to facilitate the growth of local tech companies.
