Meet Vida, the Malaysian multimillionaire with ventures in cosmetics, wellness products and cryptocurrency
Dr Hasmiza binti Othman, better known as Vida, is a Malaysian multimillionaire who has her own cosmetics brand, wellness products, and cryptocurrency. Her appearance is one that is flamboyant and dripped in jewellery, which attracts criticism from others – but she doesn't care about that. Her success speaks for herself, and here’s what you need to know about the self-made millionaire.
1. She's the face of viral ads and videos for her own brand
While most brands use models in their ads, Vida prefers to be known as the face of her brand. She’s the star of her own viral campaigns, including the iconic “I am me” – which showcases Vida herself, in glittery costumes, over-sized jewellery and a dazzling tiara, singing the lyrics “I am a queen. I inspire your desire.”
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Besides that, she promotes her products on local TV, always ending with her signature slogan, Qu puteh, ou puteh, barulah puteh (translation: I have fair skin, I have fair skin, now I have fair skin).
2. She was a teacher before venturing into the business world
According to an interview with Malaysian newspaper The Star, Vida pursued a degree in education at Universiti Sains Malaysia where she majored in Malay literature and history. Throughout her undergraduate years, young Vida sold products like keropok (crisps) to her friends and teachers, and worked part-time jobs to supplement her pocket money.
Upon graduation, she became a teacher at a local Chinese school, SJK (C) Poi Lam in Ipoh.
3. She started her business from scratch
She may be a multimillionaire now, but she’s had years of hard work, fraught with financial struggles, including taking a six-figure loan to open up her very first salon.
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When young Vida created her brand, Vida Beauty, she received a million-ringgit grant from the government to build her business. After spending half of it on advertising, her business didn’t take off. In fact, Vida Beauty was on the verge of closing until she gave it one last shot – by promoting her products in 15-minute speaking slots at a local radio station.
4. Her daughter is a viral TikTok superstar
It’s no surprise that Vida’s own flesh and blood would follow in her footsteps. Fifteen-year-old Edlynn Zamilleen Muhammad Amin aka Cik B is a viral TikTok superstar with 34,000 followers and counting. She also has 505,000 followers on Instagram and has ventures in the food business. Cik B shares a close relationship with her mum, and describes her as “my superhero”.
5. She's unapologetically herself – and knows that her personality sells
Although she receives plenty of flak for her public display of wealth and flamboyance, Vida couldn’t care less. She sponsors the Kelantanese football team – on the condition that they paint their stadium pink. Her dazzling, and often excessive persona sells – and she knows it well enough. Let’s be honest, if she were any less glittery, she wouldn’t be as successful as she is now.
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Here are five things you need to know about the flamboyant doctor and entrepreneur who stars in her own viral campaigns