Does your tongue want something that triggers an extreme sensation throughout your body?
Buckle up because your taste buds are going to attain divine satisfaction after being put through Mak Tok. Rest assured you won’t ask for more for quite some time!
This article comprehensively covers the Malay Chilli paste manufacturing company that was featured on the Dragons’ Den in 2019 and its journey beyond that.
We are sorry if you had different ideas about Mak Tok after reading the previous paragraph, any resemblance to any other thing is purely coincidental.
Mak Tok sure has the recipe for burning tongues but will it be enough for the Dragons to breathe out cash?
Mak Tok at a Glance:
| Idea | Malaysian chili paste manufacturing |
| Founders | Will Chew |
| Asked For | £50,000 For 20% |
| Accepted Deal | £50,000 For 33% |
| Dragons | Sara Davies |
| Business status | Active |
| Episode No. | Season 17, Episode 3 |
Index:
What is Mak Tok?
Mak Tok is a Sheffield-based company that manufactures and markets Malay chili pastes. The company has its roots in its founder’s household recipe. Its concept was chalked out in 2014 by the founder upon tasting his mother’s hand-made sambal chili paste.
The company revolves completely around its founder’s charming and pleasing personality. Various food exhibitions used to be the company’s major source of business until the Wuhan-originated pandemic dealt a blow to its business. The company made its move to the e-commerce segment post that and managed to survive the pandemic.
As for Mak Tok’s future, these are the founder’s words, “Mak Tok is now on a mission to become the UK’s number one destination for Malaysian cuisine food products. We focus on food as a force for good, inspiring people to create bold, authentic flavors from their own homes.
As our small team continues on our journey, we look to stick to our beliefs and create new innovative Malaysian flavors (whilst stealing more of my family’s recipes!).
Built on the foundations of authenticity, we want to provide you with all-natural products that taste better and make meal times simple and deliciously healthy. Follow us on our journey as we look to get Mak Tok to the hearts of everyone worldwide.”
Who is the Founder of Mak Tok?
Will Chew founded Mak Tok LTD in 2012.
He is an entrepreneur and a self-taught Malaysian chef. He was born in Penang before moving to the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. He appeared in the Dragons’ Den in 2019 and successfully received an investment from Sara Davies.
The season peaked at 3.4 million viewers, and the clip alone was in the UK top trending upon being aired, where it amassed 2.6 million views and counting on YouTube since.
Before his appearances in the UK, Will was a commercial talent back in Malaysia, where he did commercials for McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Caltex, and many more.
He has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Lancaster University and a Master’s in Psychology of Music from The University of Sheffield. He runs a seasonal business in the music industry which helps him make bread and butter.
Did Mak Tok get a deal on Dragon’s Den?
Will sang his way into the Den and charmed all the Dragons with his personality and ever-happy attitude. He displayed his strong cultural roots and down–to–earth nature but the Dragons decided to dig in a bit.
Will had no idea about the revenue of his own company and did not present the Dragons with anything except pleasantries for that.
This might seem innocent but it was an absolute red flag in Dragons’ eyes. Except for Sarah, every single Dragon washed their hands out of the spicy paste.
Charged with emotions, Sarah decided to bet on Will amounting to £50,000 for a third of the company. Will’s eyes were filled with tears of joy as he accepted an amazing deal that he landed for being a gem of a person.
What happened to Mak Tok after Dragon’s Den?
Food exhibitions continued to be a major revenue stream for Mak Tok even after his appearance in the Den.
This revenue stream was choked dry by the Wuhan-rooted pandemic within a year after which the company made its debut on E-commerce sites which lead to a surprising 79% year-on-year growth in sales according to Will.
Mak Tok is available offline in multiple locations in the UK. It also has stockists in Ney York, Hong Kong, and Nice. Below is a store locating map for Mak Tok.
The financial data of Mak Tok is not publicly available but it can be assumed that the worst time has passed and the business is slated for growth.
One of the drawbacks seems to be the fact that the Dragons’ Den effect was thwarted by the pandemic and would not contribute to a growth story if one exists at all.
Product Details:
- It is a Malay chili paste.
- It offers a variety of flavors.
- It is available in multiple retail chains in the UK.
- It is available overseas in the USA, Hong Kong, and France.
- It can be ordered online through its website which covers almost all zip codes in the UK and USA.
Competitors of Mak Tok:
Mak Tok enjoys a brand monopoly as far as the Malay cuisine is concerned but it faces harsh competition from FMCG giants like Heinz, Hellman’s, etc.
Mak Tok is now on a mission to become the UK’s number one destination for Malaysian cuisine food products as per its founder.
What is the Net Worth of Mak Tok?
The Dragons’ Den deal valued Mak Tok at £150,000. It seems to be low but was emotionally inflated as the business was peanuts at that point.
After the product’s listing in various retail chains and its E-commerce launch, it would be safe to say that Mak Tok’s current net worth stands at £500,000 but it is no more than a calculated guess as the company’s financial data is not publicly available.
Is Mak Tok still in Business?
Yes, Mak Tok is active as of this day with its products available in four countries and expansion into the Indo-Pacific on track (subject to the trade deal).
‘Where there is a will, there is a way’, this proverb has been proved by its namesake Will Chew!
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FAQs:
What is Mak Tok?
Mak Tok is a Sheffield-based company that manufactures and markets Malay chili pastes. The company has its roots in its founder’s household recipe. Its concept was chalked out in 2014 by the founder upon tasting his mother’s hand-made sambal chili paste.
What's the net worth of Mak Tok?
The Dragons’ Den deal valued Mak Tok at £150,000. After the product’s listing in various retail chains and its E-commerce launch, it would be safe to say that Mak Tok’s current net worth stands at £500,000 but it is no more than a calculated guess as the company’s financial data is not publicly available
