When people hear “ESG”—Environmental, Social, and Governance—they often associate it with complex regulations, high costs, and something only large corporations need to worry about. But for Signature Market, a fast-growing healthy snack brand from Malaysia, ESG is personal—and powerful.
In a recent webinar hosted by the ESG Business Institute, Amelia, Head of Compliance and Sustainability at Signature Market, shared how the company has made sustainability a core part of its mission.
🌱 How It All Started
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Amelia experienced burnout and took a career break. While staying at home in Kuala Lumpur, she noticed a remarkable improvement in air quality. This reminded her of her time in Sabah and made her reflect on the real impact of human activity on the environment.
That moment became a turning point—she wanted to pursue something meaningful.
🧘♀️ Signature Market: More Than Just a Snack Brand
- Founded in 2014 by Edwin Wang and John Chang in Penang
- Started with baked nuts and now offers a wide range of healthy products
- Mission: To enhance people’s body, mind, and spirit—not just sell food
- Offers free wellness workshops to the public, not just customers
- Partners with NGOs to raise awareness about mental health and breast cancer
“We want to be more than a company—we want to be a positive influence in people’s lives.” – Amelia
🔑 What Makes Signature Market Successful?
- Resilience – Navigated the pandemic and market shifts with strength
- Adaptability – Responds to market trends while staying true to core values
- Supportive Culture – Strong teamwork and loyal customer base
📋 ESG in Action: What They’ve Achieved
✅ Certifications
- B-Corp (comprehensive ESG efforts)
- Halal, Organic, Non-GMO (building customer trust)
♻️ Waste Management
- Recycled 50,000 kg of waste in 2024
- Reduced CO₂ emissions by 44,000 kg
- Earned RM4,200 from recyclables
👩🌾 Grow With Us Program
- Trains suppliers in food safety and sustainability
- Builds long-term relationships with local partners
💼 Business Benefits of ESG
- Strengthened brand trust among customers
- Eligibility for grants such as Malaysia’s MIDA fund
- Competitive advantage when working with large corporations (many require ESG-compliant vendors)
ESG isn’t just about saving the planet—it opens doors for business growth.
💡 Tips for SMEs: Starting Your ESG Journey
- Start small – Identify existing efforts like CSR or waste reduction
- Use free tools – Capital Market Malaysia offers beginner-friendly ESG guides
- Focus on one pillar – Choose Environment (E), Social (S), or Governance (G) based on your strengths
- Engage your team – Discover the values your company already embraces
“You don’t have to be great to start. You just have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar (quoted by Amelia)
🎯 Final Thoughts
Signature Market proves that you don’t need to be a large corporation to make a meaningful impact. By staying true to their values and listening to what their customers care about, they’ve built a brand that is trusted, respected, and ready for the future.
ESG isn’t a burden—it’s a business advantage and a way to do good at the same time.