Prologue: Developing An Idea

"The founders for Myst had no idea to what they were working on, initially."

What started out as a simple and fun initiative to sell food and desserts carved our path to eventually move into FnB operations. In 2008, the 'cheesecake makers' discussed on the possibility of turning the cheesecakes they made into a business that could generate income. For a short period of time, they started selling cheesecakes on a pre-order basis from home, and catered mostly for special events, like birthdays and festivities. Not much was generated at that point in time - apart from a little fame amongst family and friends, but this set the stage to consider operating an outlet as a possibility.

The first idea started off as a simple cheesecake outlet where they would sell their 'famed' varieties of cheesecakes with some drinks. A quick reality check wiped out the possibility particularly due to a serious lack of funds, and more importantly a direct conflict in their areas of specialization (They were 'nerds' remember? Everyone was busy working on their final year software project). Back then the joke of the day was to have the founders making and selling cheesecakes in an outlet with their Bachelor's of Computer Science on display on the wall. They'd be driving off customers at first sight I'd guess haha.

Imagine having this on the wall of accolades of your local restaurant

The idea was left at that for almost two years - "Just Cheese" - As it seemed, to be 'just' as much as that. Well, destiny came calling for them once again sometime further into the future.

After securing their first jobs in IT and Marketing in different organizations led by the same Managing Director (This is still somewhat of a mystery to how it happened), a series of events lead to them leaving (or being 'kicked' out of) their posts, and more importantly, leaving the corporate office for good. Why? I will save that for another post on their ideologies on our local private sector.

This was THE place, once. Now - only time can tell.

As time presented itself, one of the founders met up with an architect, which must be given credit: A Mr. William Khoo, Managing Director of DNA (Design Network Architects) - with their website here, a well recognized architectural company. Mr. William has to be the 'youngest' parent around (I don't know how many parents would go to the movies as family routine in Kuching) with two wonderful daughters and an equally lively and lovely spouse - both with the energy of a teenager and the experience of age - Both whom I respect deeply myself - and most certainly a role model for others to follow.

The man!! Camera caught him in a different light :P!

Mr. William was looking for a team to start-up a pilot project for youths and young adults in the heart of the community, tHe Spring - The largest 'lifestyle' shopping mall in Sarawak, as claimed. Mr. William had managed to strike up an agreement to let an empty space to be converted into something similar to a kiosk. The founders decided to give it a shot as the idea was appealing and also very much needed by the community, with Mr. William enthusiastically accepting their offer to operate the outlet.

At around the same time, one of the founders was given the opportunity to attend an international business conference to meet up with big players from around the world. It was surely an eye-opening experience to see a world much wider than his own for the first time. It was there that the vision was created - and essentially the concept for Myst was created.

This is the front for HIP. Its quite a nice outlet actually.

As time came to pass, the outlet was named HIP - a conventional front for a Christian movement. Its weekly activities are promoted here. Christian or not was not much concern to the founders at this point in time. It was the vision that mattered - to bring young adults and youths together.

Somewhat of the idea behind HIP. Inset is this guy (who is on FB here) a close aide, and also an example of what we do.

If anything, this should be the WHOLE idea behind Myst :D

An unfortunate series of events led HIP to being limited to a single day to operate their vision, and the founders felt that the vision was then greatly marginalized. At the end of the one month of training, they decided to leave due to this, and also due to another very critical issue - excessive hours of work with no rest days, with no proper working contracts, and no overtime compensation - Fatal errors in attempting to uphold a vision of righteousness. While the founders found no blame on the founder for HIP, Mr. William, he had his hands tied and had very little space to wiggle with to make amendments to operating regulations. I am unable elaborate further other than the fact that the truth can never lie to itself.

Upon leaving HIP, and after having their dream of an ideal demolished piece by piece, they were left with a dilemma, either to leave the vision behind - with neither HIP capable of fully realizing it (as they perceived at that point in time), and with the founders leaving the vision in history, or to continue building and developing the vision in a physical hell. Important decisions were made, and soon enough, after a quick search for potential locations around the city - the Tenancy Agreement was signed to prevent any of them from turning back. They then had no choice but to transport the vision to reality. I'm sure the founders will still be glad to liaise with HIP in any way possible - though, it is unfortunate that HIP could perhaps be much more than it is as of now.

What you can see now, is the culmination of the vision in its first physical form - Myst Cafe - somewhat of a boulevard of dreams of many different individuals? Perhaps, or perhaps not. Myst in itself is not quite certain.

However, we do have a clear idea what they are doing for now.