LANGKAWI, Sept 20 — You may have a great product but your brand is unknown, so how do you break into the big time?

InStyle Langkawi (ISL), a trade show that highlights local lifestyle brands, decided to form “Trusted Circle” which effectively is a coaching programme.

It consists of a panel of experts with the insider knowledge and general know-how to launch a brand to an international audience.

The panel will be made up of former TV anchor and prominent figure in the food retail culture in Malaysia Datin Sri Bettina Khan, architect Yap Teck Seng, Bon Ton’s Narelle McMurtie, Yayasan Budi Penyayang chairman Nori Abdullah, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation director of lifestyle Aureen Jean Nonis, Datuk Azhar Mansor and The Edge’s executive editor Surinder Jessy.

They will hold a dialogue and interactive session with ISL participants tomorrow.

The ISL is open today and tomorrow; more than 40 local brands offering lifestyle products will be showcased to local and international buyers from retail chains, hotels and other companies.

“This will be a good platform to help fledgling artisans and entrepreneurs,” said Alfa Baru managing director Faisol Abdullah. Alfa Baru are the organisers of ISL.

In the process of organising the ISL, Faisol came across 68 local lifestyle brands in the country but only about 38 fit his the following criteria: must be a Malaysian brand, made in Malaysia and is already being sold in Malaysia.

“Imagine there were so many other brands that could be showcased as these are all very talented artisans who produce very unique and beautiful products.

“Next year, we plan to hold ISL again and it will be a showcase of the best of Asian brands, not only Malaysian ones,” he said.

The ISL is supported by Tourism Malaysia and Langkawi Development Authority.