Zara, advocating women's economic independence

4 April 2025

KOTA KINABALU: For the past 14 years, Zara’s Boutique Hotel has been a beacon of social entrepreneurship, empowering hundreds of women from rural districts to achieve economic independence.

The hotel’s founder, Datuk Eliza Goh, has shared countless transformative stories of women who have stepped through its doors in search of employment and a fresh start.

“These include young single mothers whom we have trained and mentored to regain their confidence,” said Eliza, who was recently honoured with the Outstanding Women Entrepreneur Award at the state-level International Women’s Day 2025 celebration, organised by the United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK).

Zara’s Boutique Hotel is renowned as the world’s first fully female-run hotel, encompassing ownership and all front-office operations.

“I encourage these women and guide them towards the right pathways to pursue education and enhance their career opportunities within the tourism industry,” she explained.

“Some have secured positions at prestigious five-star hotels such as Shangri-La Rasa Ria, while others have ventured as far as Dubai. Even some students who interned with us have gone on to the United States and are now building their lives there,” Eliza added.

In addition to hospitality training, the hotel cultivates an environment that promotes women’s empowerment—socially, economically, and professionally.

“It has always been my dream to contributing in the eradication of poverty in rural families—one woman at a time,” Eliza shared.

Reflecting on her recent accolade, she emphasised the significance of women’s economic independence, self-confidence, and self-expression in the business realm.

“Confidence is crucial in every aspect of life; it opens up limitless opportunities for success,” she stated.

Eliza also highlighted the importance of resilience, especially in the challenging local business climate.

“One mustn't take things personally or become overly emotional in business, as it can significantly hinder success,” she noted.

“There is often a misconception that successful women have either had an easy path or come from family businesses. What many don’t realise is that I financed this hotel entirely on my own. I hired contractors for a complete renovation and took on the role of project manager for both construction and interior design.

“Now, I oversee all aspects of hotel management, including loan repayments. It was an entirely new field for me, and at times, I doubted myself—but regardless of the challenges, I had to maintain my confidence,” Eliza concluded.