Former teacher finds her passion in children’s reading material

Updated: Saturday March 1, 2014 MYT 10:00:20 AM

Former teacher finds her passion in children’s reading material

Pursuing a passion: Tan says she could easily earn more money teaching English, but chooses to focus on selling children’s books instead.

WHILE Tan May Yee may have left her job as a teacher, education is still her passion as she hopes to help parents teach children through the picture books she sells.

Tan is slowly coming to terms with the changes in her life, having gone from being a teacher to full-time homemaker and now a seller of books.

“Some people have asked me why I am doing this when I could be earning RM150 for two hours of teaching English instead? In comparison, peddling books earns a meagre sum,” the former English teacher for a Chinese independent school said.

The answer is simple: this is her dream and passion.

“I was a teacher for more than 10 years. And, my daughter would always call to ask what time I would be back.

“I went to work all dolled up as I had a maid then and my mother helped to look after my daughter.

“As my child grew older, she began to yearn for me every day and so, I decided to be a stay-at-home mum. It was not an easy decision,” Tan said.

For the sake of her family and kids, she bid her career goodbye and became a full-time homemaker.

“As a woman, I felt it was my responsibility. The first year almost killed me, I lost a lot of weight.

“Only a married woman with children would understand. In this modern age, why do some choose to work?

“As a full-time mum, the expectations others have of you and what you have for yourself are different,” she said.

Seeing her read to their children daily and bonding with them, her husband decided to help her realise her dreams.

“My husband truly supported me. He took me to China to pick out picture books,” she said.

Picture books may have been her passion, but she had no knowledge about how to sell them.

The small selection of books she had early on and the lack of a social network were the biggest obstacles for her business initially.

“At first it was quite embarrassing for me, a teacher by profession, to carry around boxes of books for people to choose from.

“Those who did not like it would just push them aside,” she said.

She had to carry bags of books and went from door to door to sell them.

“I did not know how to sell my books. It was a mess. After a few years, I finally got the hang of it. I also found a permanent location so that it became easier for customers to find me,” she explained.

She often gives parents a short review of the books, listing out the highlights and message each book tries to convey.

“This helps them choose books that fit their children’s interests and needs.

“I’m not a business person, I’m more inclined towards education. I share with the parents the essence of each picture book, what age it is suitable for, how a child can use the book and what he or she will learn,” she said.

Starting her own business meant she had to make sacrifices.

“I refrained from buying new clothes, cosmetics and skincare products so that I could maintain this space (to sell books).

“I do not care how much I earn as long as is enough to pay the rent,” she said.

However, she also hopes to develop better planning and a more conducive environment for her customers to shop for books.

“My goal is still far away, I’ll just take it slowly. I struggled during the first two years but I refused to give up.

“Eventually, a fan base for my picture books grew,” she said, adding that there are no instant returns when it comes to entrepreneurship.

“One must be patient. The younger generation wants an instant reaction and returns.

“Maybe it is the Internet age. Many things are done with just a click of the mouse. When you get things too easily, you tend to strive less for it,” she said.

She added, “I’m still a mum as I only sell my books when my kids are in school.

I’m still learning. Hopefully, I can do better in the future.”

To find out more, send an email to hyacinthstorytelling@hotmail.com.