By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: For the past 14 years, Zara’s Boutique Hotel has been at the forefront of social entrepreneurship, helping hundreds of women from rural districts gain economic empowerment.
The founder of the hotel at Harbour City here, Datuk Eliza Goh, has shared numerous life-changing stories of women who have walked through the doors seeking employment and a fresh start.
“These include young single mothers who were trained and mentored by us 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 widely regarded as the world’s first fully female-run hotel, from ownership to front-office operations.
“I encourage them and show them the right pathways to pursue education and enhance their career opportunities in the tourism industry.
“Some of them have since secured jobs at five-star hotels such as Shangri-La Rasa Ria, while others have ventured overseas to Dubai.
“Even some students who interned with us have gone on to the United States and are now living there,” said Eliza.
Beyond hospitality training, the hotel provides an environment that fosters women’s empowerment—socially, economically, and professionally.
“It has always been my dream to help eradicate poverty in rural families—one woman at a time,” said Eliza.
Reflecting on the award, she emphasised the importance of women’s economic independence, self-confidence, and self-expression in the business world.
“Confidence plays a crucial role in every aspect of life, opening up limitless opportunities for success,” she said.
She also stressed the need for women to develop resilience, particularly in the challenging local business environment.
“One must not 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 either had an easy path or came from family businesses.
“But many people do not realise that I financed this hotel entirely on my own, hired contractors for a full renovation, and took on the role of project manager in 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 no matter what, I had to stay confident,” said Eliza.
