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.

🔗 Join the ESG Business Institute