When Anissa Safia reflects on her journey, it doesn’t begin with entrepreneurship; it begins with survival.
For over a decade, Anissa lived the high-pressure life of a corporate professional. The relentless pace of corporate work shaped her identity. Like many working mothers, she struggled to balance career ambitions with the emotional weight of raising a child. At the time, she believed this was simply what life was supposed to look like.
That belief was shattered in July 2021 when she suffered a stroke.
“It completely changed my mindset,” she shares. “What I thought life was about—everything shifted.”
Although she attempted to return to corporate life after her recovery, something no longer fit. The rhythm, the priorities, the meaning—it all felt misaligned. Eventually, she made a bold decision. She decided to walk away.
Becoming a stay-at-home mother was not the end of her professional journey—it was the beginning of new discoveries!
The Book She Needed
With time suddenly on her hands, Anissa found herself confronting a gap she hadn’t noticed before. There were countless books for children but very few that spoke honestly about the emotional realities of motherhood, especially for working mothers.
“I just remember feeling frustrated that I didn’t have a book I could relate to,” she says.
In that moment, she decided she would write one.
Her first book, Mama Go to Work, Baby Go to School, was born from lived experience. It wasn’t just a children’s story a parent read to her child. It explained separation, love and purpose in a way children could understand.
Writing the book was only half the challenge. Publishing it was another world entirely.
Instead of going through traditional publishing routes, Anissa chose to build everything from scratch. Drawing on her background in corporate communications, she navigated printing, branding and distribution on her own.
Her advice to aspiring self-publishers is practical and direct: “Have at least RM10,000 in cash. It’s not just about printing—you need branding, marketing, events. Without that, your book won’t go anywhere.”
That investment paid off. What began as a personal project grew into a business. Her book resonated deeply, eventually gaining traction in bookstores and online platforms, reaching readers beyond Malaysia.
Purpose Over Profit
Unlike many entrepreneurs, Anissa doesn’t start with profit in mind. Her pricing strategy is intentionally below market rate, driven by a simple question: Can more families afford this?
“I look at the economy and the buying power,” she explains. “I want everyone to have access.”
This philosophy shapes everything she creates. Each book tackles a meaningful, often overlooked aspect of family life.
Her second book focuses on stay-at-home mothers—an experience she describes as unexpectedly challenging.
“There’s no bonus, no increment, no ‘thank you,’” she says. “I wanted stay-at-home mothers to feel seen and dignified.”
Her third book explores adoption, a topic she believes is both common and deeply misunderstood. Inspired by conversations with adoption advocates and a Malaysian non-profit, OrphanCare, she created a story that helps families talk openly about identity, belonging and truth.
“Adoption shouldn’t be taboo,” she says. “Children deserve to understand their story.”
Across all her work, a clear theme emerges: giving voice to experiences that are often minimized or hidden.
The Humbling Reality of Entrepreneurship
Anissa is candid about the challenges of building a business from scratch. Marketing, in particular, was a humbling experience.
“I felt like a beggar at first,” she admits. “You have to put yourself out there, ask people to buy, speak about your product.”
Coming from a corporate environment—where systems, teams and reputation already exist—this shift was uncomfortable. But it was also necessary.
Her personal mantra, “One step forward, always,” became an anchor during these early days. Whether she was speaking or setting up her first booth, progress—no matter how small—was still progress.
Over time, as her books gained visibility and endorsements, her confidence grew. Still, she emphasizes that growth takes time.
“You have to be okay with starting when nobody knows you. Even speaking to zero people at first—that’s part of it.”
Her approach is simple: try everything, stay consistent, and build trust.
The Community of Support and Influence
Behind Anissa’s transformation is not just personal resilience, but also the people who shaped her values.
She credits her father as a major influence—particularly his humility and the quiet impact he had on others. That grounding shows up in how she runs her business today: purpose-driven, people-first and deeply aware of the responsibility that comes with creating something meaningful.
Her life at home also evolved. As she stepped into a new role as a devoted stay-at-home mom, her husband became a more present and supportive partner, allowing her to reimagine how work and family could coexist.
Today, Anissa operates with clear non-negotiables. Her afternoons are reserved for her children, and her work fits around that priority. Late nights are often when she works—sometimes powered by ratchet music that keeps her energized through long, focused hours.
“If I were to die,” she recalls thinking during her stroke, “I would be replaced at work in a week—but my children would lose their mother.”
She’s Building More Than a Business
Beyond books, Anissa has created something she considers one of her proudest professional milestones: her community.
Through intimate, private gatherings for women, she offers a safe space for sharing, listening and support. These sessions, often stretching late into the night, reflect a deeper mission—to rebuild the sense of connection many women feel they’ve lost.
“I’m not a therapist,” she says. “I just listen.”
Personally, she measures success just as meaningfully: raising her children, keeping them safe, and staying mentally and emotionally grounded through it all.
“Having my babies, keeping them alive, and keeping myself sane—that’s something I’m proud of,” she shares.
A Life She Could Not Have Imagined
Looking back, Anissa doesn’t see her stroke as an ending but as a redirection.
“God doesn’t give you what you want—He gives you what you need,” she says.
Today, she is not only a publisher, but a storyteller, a community builder and a voice for conversations many shy away from.
Her advice to women—especially those considering entrepreneurship—is grounded in self-trust:
“Listen to your instincts. They’re always right. Say yes to what you want, and no to what you don’t.”
And above all, keep moving—one step forward, always.
This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio.
Sign up for behind-the-scenes updates and news about our podcast.