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When most people clock out at 6pm, Fazril Hazim is just getting started.
The 30-year-old technician often works until 10pm in KL because that is when homeowners are finally back from work and ready to let him in to fix their broken fridges, washing machines, or air conditioners.
While many chase office jobs and air conditioned cubicles, Fazril chose a different path: one that started by following his father around with a toolbox.
Today, nine years into the industry, he runs two branches in Perak and Kajang with a team of eight staff.
But his journey was anything but smooth.
Started helping his dad at 15
Born in 1996, Fazril began learning the trade at just 15 years old while he was in Form 3.
His father worked as an electronics technician and Fazril would follow him after school, observing repairs and helping out wherever he could.
“Since secondary school, my dad already brought me along to jobs, where I learned by watching him and what he does.
“After SPM, instead of pursuing a typical university route, I chose to enrol in a skills-based education at Kolej Komuniti Chenderoh and Akademi Binaan Malaysia, where I focused on technical training,” he said.
Once Fazril completed his internship, he went straight into the field and became a full-time technician at the age of 21.
Fixing what is broken
When asked why he opted to be a technician, Fazril said that the field offered long-term potential and stability.
“Every home has appliances such as a fridge, washing machine, and air-conditioner. And these appliances will eventually fail.
“When they break, people need a solution. This kind of demand will never disappear easily,” he explained.
While some young people prefer white collar jobs, Fazril believes technical repair work is often underestimated until something stops working at home.
“At first, people look down on this job. But when their fridge breaks, suddenly it becomes very important.”
One belief that has guided Fazril through the ups and downs of being a technician is the fact that skill sets aren’t something which can be taken away easily.
You can lose your job. You can lose your business. But you cannot lose your skills. Because no matter where you go, you can use them to survive.
“Artificial intelligence (AI) cannot replace this. You still need human hands to go to the house and solve the problem,” he added.
Gaining trust
Although Fazril had the technical knowledge, his biggest challenge early on was convincing customers to trust him.
Given the fact that he started his business at 21, many thought he was just another young and inexperienced bloke.
Whenever I entered customers’ houses, some doubted whether I could really fix their appliances.”
Fazril also didn’t have a big van or flashy setup either, where he relied on a small Hyundai Atos to take him from one customer’s home to another.
“For the first few years, I didn’t even have a signboard outside my shop. Some weeks I had zero jobs or only earned a few hundred Ringgit,” he shared.
Marketing made the difference
Fazril quickly realised that technical skills alone were not enough and needed a solution to gain visibility.
Thus, he began experimenting with social media and learnt how to market his business by adding a touch of humour and his personality.
“I called myself a fridge doctor. People found it funny and different and that was all I needed to stand out and build engagement.”
Over time, word began to spread quickly and Fazril saw a stream of customers turning up, allowing him to finally move on from just surviving to managing operations properly, including paperwork and expansion.
Today, Fazril operates two branches in Perak and Kajang with four staff in each location. However, he still works actively on site especially in KL, where he offers late-night repair slots that last up until 10pm.
“People in KL only get home after work. If we do not offer late-night slots, we’d lose customers.
“The first five years were the toughest as I felt I was working all day and night. Even when I was in bed, I was constantly thinking about marketing, scheduling, and business strategies.”
Income grew from three to five digits
When asked about income, Fazril was candid about the reality.
“During the business’ first year, there were weeks where I earned nothing at all. Occasionally, I’d make a three-digit weekly income.
“But today, depending on the month, my earnings can reach at least four to five figures. This growth did not happen overnight, but it was the result of persistence, marketing, and building trust with customers,” he said.
Like any other family, Fazril’s family initially hoped he’d opt for a conventional career path and expressed hesitance over his desire to pursue a skills-based career.
“It took time and results to convince them. When the business stabilised at its fourth year, my parents were finally confident with my decision.
No shame
Fazril believes many young Malaysians feel embarrassed to enter technical or vocational fields.
He also noted observing many forcing themselves into universities or taking loans just to obtain a diploma, even if their results or interests do not align.
Do not be ashamed to pick up certain skills. It can build a career and you can survive anywhere with it.”
“For me, success is not about wearing a tie or sitting in an office. Sometimes, it’s about being the person who shows up at 9pm when someone’s fridge breaks down and knowing exactly how to fix it.”
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