SUCCESSFUL ICON#2 : MAY YEE & EE VEE from THE LAST POLKA

Meet the dynamic and lovely local duos from Malaysia, Ee Vee and May Yee, the masterminds behind the hot selling (and the first of its kind in Malaysia!) Artisan ice cream brand that goes by the name of THE LAST POLKA.

I always thought the name was pretty cute!

The idea to set up the business actually came about unexpectedly during their trip abroad and it is not until they returned that they have decided to explore the idea seriously.

These days, ice cream makers do not plunge their hands into a bowl to make their ice cream, most of the ice cream that you see in the Supermarkets and malls are produced in factories. 

The artisan makers were usually very ‘hands on’ using all the skills that they have learnt in making ice cream together with recipes and improving techniques from time to time.  They experiment every flavour and most of them are truly one of a kind indeed!

(Above pic) Ee Vee & May Yee at work!

But what exactly is an Artisan ice cream?

Quite simply, artisan ice cream is ice cream made by an artisan aka a ‘skilled crafts person’. A crafts person is someone who makes things skilfully by hand.

Artisan producers produced smaller batches of ice cream that will be sold and eaten in the shortest time possible as ‘fresh’ ice cream is always the best to have!

While they also use machines to mix and blend, they still maintain the human touch in choosing and mixing the ingredients and keeping a close eye on the freezing part to make sure the ice cream is of the highest quality possible.

(Above pic) One of The Last Polka yummy ice cream!

So here goes the interview!

Me: Hi there Ee Vee. Thanks so much for your time spared in this short interview. Could you please introduce yourself and what business do you & your partner currently run?

The Last Polka (Ee Vee): Hi there, I’m Ee Vee and together with my partner May we both run The Last Polka, a hand crafted French style ice cream inspired by local and seasonally innovative flavours. Our ice cream flavours ranges from selections that brings back childhood memories to flavours that challenges your notion of what a traditional ice creams should be.

We always source out fresh ingredients for our ice creams and prefer to produce it as hand made. The idea that began at the tail end of 2009 have today, grown to a network within the Klang Valley and can be found in 15 different cafes and restaurants that we currently partner with.

Me: How did you start your business?

The Last Polka (Ee Vee): The idea was conceived over dinner that May and I shared in London in mid of 2009.  And when we both returned from our travels / work it was then where we put our idea into a practical and disciplined action. We started out working from both our mum’s kitchen and a year later moved out to a space dedicated for our own production.  

Me: Wow, that’s amazing Ee Vee! So how did you both discover this passion and how do you both know that you guys wanted to do it as a business?

The Last Polka (Ee Vee): Its funny that I was not really into ice cream as it was always May’s! And when she invited me to be part of the business, I am forever grateful with that.  I love being in the kitchen and am always passionate about food so it was easy for me to just jump in and give the business a shot. May was very convincing and then I found myself needing a distraction from where I was at the time, being at a crossroad with my career. I knew that it was a good business opportunity because the idea was novel here in Malaysia, but more than anything we wanted to challenge ourselves and know we could build something to call our own.

Me: I am glad that you guys went ahead with the plan, so how do you know that this business will make money?

The Last Polka (Ee Vee): Fact is that we didn't even know at all if the business would work initially. Both of us were enthusiastically naïve but positively hopeful. I prayed and trusted God each step of the way and together we both took tiny steps and then big leaps where the business were called for without even having a business plan or financial projection of sorts. Flash back, it does seem like a little risky, but then being entrepreneurial meant that we need to learn how to take risks positively and really, the Artisan ice cream market was indeed an untapped market back then and we were fortunate to be the sole player until a year ago.

Me: And when did you realize that you rather work for yourself than having a job & working for others?

The Last Polka (Ee Vee): Personally I don’t think that it should be a concrete decision that you have to make and then stick to it for the rest of your life. I know a handful of entrepreneurs who have left their businesses to work for other companies. The question really shouldn't be about whom you working for because obviously the grass is always greener on the side. What you need to do is to recognize what you are capable of, your strengths and what you’d like to achieve and know that your work / job will always be a responsibility and commitment if you are working for someone else.

Me: How long was it (into the business) that you made your first million?

The Last Polka (Ee Vee): We are still learning and growing, and yes we will look forward to that soon.

Me: What is your advice to those who wants to quit their job & pursue their dream?

The Last Polka (Ee Vee):  It is not necessary to over think things. Be prudent in every step that you take but most importantly, just take that leap! Every successful ideas and businesses begins with an action. Seek out mentors, learn from them and keep your support group i.e. Close family, friends and like-minded people near you always to keep you motivated along your journey.

Me: Thank you so much again Ee Vee! All the best and look forward to chat with you again sometime soon.

The Last Polka (Ee Vee): Hey, no problem! I hope what I have just shared here will inspire you and others to pursue whatever dream / idea that you and they may have.

(Above pic) Appeared on CLEO Magazine

(Above pic) On The STAR paper (Rage column)

So, the TAKE AWAY from this interview:

1    Just explore your idea and start somewhere. Your idea could be an untapped business!

2   Be prudent when you start your business. 

3   Stay close to people that can help keep you motivated and driven.

4    Being entrepreneurial means that we need to learn how to take risks positively.

5   Know what you are capable of, your strengths and what you’d like to achieve in life.

Note : You can follow The Last Polka on their latest work (and more delicious ice cream flavours on the way!) on their Facebook HERE!.