There's something about the way family businesses are run. It's that extra colloquial language that they speak in, the added personal touches, the nonchalant way they calculate your purchases with precise mental arithmetic which certainly inspires you if you're a walk in customer, or makes you feel like it's "home" for regular patrons.
Successful Family Run Business: CzipLee Books and Stationery
One such family run is CzipLee Books and Stationery which has its roots in Kajang, and still going strong with 38 years of experience to its credit.
Noted to be the largest independent books and stationery retailer in Klang Valley region, it's an experience to walk into the 13,000 square feet main retail outlet in Kajang, to purchase anything from a wide variety of stationeries, gift wraps, revision books, pens to even board games and party hats!
Looking beyond providing books and stationeries at competitive prices, CzipLee also has its reach in school bookshops at Putrajaya and Hulu Langat, with its 50 strong staff servicing and managing the school bookstores to provide only the best to educators and school children.
With plans to expand within the next five years, CzipLee has launched its first flagship store in Bangsar Baru, catering to an entirely different market, with fresh new concepts and a wide range of products provided at competitive pricing but still remaining its touch of personal service and speedy delivery through family run networks.
To delve into the mind of the man who began it all, let's take a walk down memory lane to remember the beginnings... all the way in 1968.
A Story of Endurance, Seeing Beyond and Family Unity
Fresh out of secondary school and with the RM 2,000.00 given to him by his mother, our founder set up a general store that sold everything from newspapers, sweets, pencils, rubbers to snacks. His first delve into business was one alike "feelers" - finding out what the masses needed.
From a humble quarter shop in 1968, the business expanded and CzipLee (or rather Chip Lee as it is known then) moved into a larger premise in 1973 and gained many loyal customers. By then, it was time to specialize, and our founder saw the potential in stationery. The stationery business was a niche market that not many dared venture in as it was monopolized by bigger establishments, who could offer more variety in stationeries as well as other products.
It was a risk that he was willing to take. Rising at 5 am daily and closing up late at night was a norm for him for the next few years. Gradually, he reaped what he sowed, when many began to recognize CzipLee as a reputable stationery provider even in the 1970s.
It was then that our founder realized that he needed much more help if CzipLee was meant to succeed and to reach greater heights. His brothers joined the business in 1970, as well as his wife, a trained nurse who joined him in 1976 as they purchased a new and bigger premise for CzipLee.
CzipLee, in all its meaning is simple and reflects the traditional family-run business principles. Reflected in the tight knit family, "Czip" means the gathering of the certain few coming together in unity with this well reflected in the tight knit family unit. But unity comes to naught without strength, endurance or vision which is reflected in the meaning of "Lee".
With family, there is always familiarity. CzipLee has kept its corporate culture to one of being able to build long lasting relationships with customers by catering to their needs as best as possible. From addressing special requests such as engravings on trophies, to sourcing certain brands of paintbrushes to even organizing school charity activities - CzipLee tries it's best to meet each and every of your needs.
Forging New Grounds through Books
Apart from personalized service, CzipLee continued to forge new grounds in 1976 with a printing business. They also tapped into the market of the book business, the perfect complement to the existing stationery business.
With the printing business in motion, CzipLee was able to provide customized print according to the demands of schools as well as other clients.
It was a winning move to delve into the book business, as shortly after that in 1978, CzipLee was able to purchase a brand new premise. And this time, it was total specification with the entire premise being dedicated to providing only books, school books, work books, exercise books, text books...anything with a leaf of a page was there!
In 1983, it was time to properly make the distinctions with CzipLee Sports and Stationery Sdn Bhd being incorporated, with two separate outlets specializing independently in stationery and books. Business continued to grow, with the books making a leap forward in 1986, to deserve their own title as CzipLee Book Distributors Sdn Bhd.
With almost 38 years in the trade, CzipLee has come a long way from its humble origin as a general store to becoming the largest books and stationery business in Kajang, as well as established itself as a leading retailer of books and stationery in the Klang Valley.
Books and Stationery: Under one roof
The winds of change blew their path again with CzipLee taking a leap of faith by purchasing a 4 unit 3-storey shop lot with a total combined retail space of 13,000 square feet in 1994 which brought together both stationery and books under one roof.
Up to this day in 2006, CzipLee Books and Stationery Sdn Bhd is a landmark by day and by night in the well-known Kajang town. And with their new flagship store in Bangsar serving and jiving to an entirely different tune - they will be seen in an entirely different market!
Not ready to rest their laurels, the CzipLee family will carry on the legacy of CzipLee. With unity as their core strength and full dedication to be the best books and stationery provider to customers; CzipLee will certainly be one new kid on the block to look out for in Bangsar, and beyond.
RETAIL
Cziplee is your local book and stationary shop, with heart. We go out of our way to give you friendly personalized service. » Find us » View a selection of our products
EXCLUSIVE STATIONERY
At Cziplee, we carry a range of stand out brand names in stationery, For something extra special, check out Cziplee Plus. » View exceptional stationery
PRINTING SERVICES
Czip Print, offers a range of printing soloutions for your business and personal needs. » Find out more
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