They’re Not Ignoring You—They’re Just Still Marinating

Business opportunities are like cooking shows—you never know what’s really happening behind the kitchen door until the dish suddenly lands in front of you.

Let me tell you something I’ve learned (usually after almost giving up):

Just because it’s quiet… doesn’t mean nothing’s happening.
Sometimes the silence is just the oven preheating.

Here’s how I see it:

One day, someone stumbles upon your product, your service, your pitch, your random LinkedIn post.
They don’t like, they don’t comment.
They ghost harder than your old college crush.

“That’s it, they’re not interested,” you sigh, already rehearsing your exit from entrepreneurship.

But while you’re busy spiralling into self-doubt…
They’re at home flipping through your recipe book.

They’re thinking,
“Hmmm… this looks interesting.”
Next thing you know, they’re buying ingredients. Comparing brands. Budgeting. Pitching it to their boss.

You? Still in the dark.

Meanwhile, they’re chopping onions and prepping the sambal.

Some cooks fast—like those who use instant noodles.
Others are slow burners—like Grandma’s rendang, which simmers for 8 hours and is only served during Raya.

But then, one random Tuesday, BOOM—a message drops:

“Hey! Been following you for a while. Can we talk?”

Suddenly, the dish is plated. The napkin is folded. The cutlery’s set.
And you didn’t even know you were the main course.

It’s happened to me more than I can count.

Pitch sent.
Crickets.
Six months later:
“Hi Dr. Mazlan, we’re finally ready to proceed.”

Ready?! I thought you forgot I existed!

Nope.
They were just slow-cooking the opportunity in a pressure cooker of approvals, budgets, and internal drama.

Here’s the lesson I remind myself (and now, you):

• Opportunities are always cooking.
• Some are frying, some are baking, some are even marinating overnight.
• But just because you don’t hear the sizzle doesn’t mean the stove’s off.

So keep showing up. Keep posting. Keep refining your menu.
Because someone, somewhere, might just be in aisle 3 of Tesco, looking for the last ingredient before they call you.

And when they do?

Smile.
Welcome them to your table.

Dinner is served.