Kota Kinabalu: After years of dedication to the media industry, Jennifer Tugun Michael took a bold leap into the world of entrepreneurship, turning her passion into a thriving business. Her journey led to the creation of Ferherneo, Sabah’s very own sunscreen brand – born out of her love for the outdoors and a desire to fill a gap in the local market.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Jennifer, now 31, has been an avid adventurer since the age of 19, exploring the breathtaking islands of Kota Kinabalu and the stunning waters of Semporna. During her excursions, she noticed a lack of locally made sunscreen brands, prompting her to fill this gap and contribute to Sabah’s tourism industry. With Ferherneo, she aims to protect fellow outdoor enthusiasts’ skin while boosting Sabah’s economy with a product that reflects the state’s natural beauty.
Jennifer highlighted that most sunscreen products available in the region are international brands like Banana Boat and Sunplay. She stated during an interview with Bernama that her product is waterproof and designed for outdoor activities in island areas, particularly in Sabah and Borneo, while also suitable for everyday use.
A graduate of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) with a Bachelor of Communications, Jennifer previously interned at Bernama’s Sabah Bureau before diving into entrepreneurship. She revealed that it took nearly two years to develop her sunscreen brand, facing challenges in finding a local factory to produce a high-quality product. Her sunscreen stands out for its modern liquid-cream texture, which not only protects from UV rays but also moisturizes and brightens the skin.
Since its launch, Jennifer has sold over 200 units, marking a promising start for the brand. Originally priced at RM50, Ferherneo is now available for RM25 on social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok Shop, as Jennifer actively promotes it. The product, registered and approved by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, boasts impressive waterproof durability lasting over 40 minutes, making it ideal for Sabah’s coastal areas.
Jennifer explained that the brand name, Ferherneo, is a fusion of her nickname Fefer, female entrepreneurship, and an homage to Borneo. She expressed her motivation to challenge herself and create opportunities for others, advocating for young Sabahans to build careers locally rather than seeking jobs elsewhere. Despite initial resistance from some family members, Jennifer hopes the government will support young entrepreneurs and that Sabahans will embrace this new local product.