How Rachel Gunardi Built a Platform for Young Entrepreneurs to Connect and Grow

At the heart of Rachel Gunardi's work, whether in design, entrepreneurship or event planning, is a drive for real and organic connection, something she believes is dying out in an increasingly digital age. 

Originally from Indonesia, Rachel came to Malaysia in 2021 to pursue her degree in graphic design at UCSI University. But her time there became more than just an academic pursuit. While adjusting to a new country, she found herself drawn to something bigger: helping others navigate the transition from student life to the working world. 

This led to the creation of DEAD Enterprise, a student-run entrepreneurial club that aimed to remove the fluff from networking, which quickly grew into something much larger. What started as a university initiative evolved into a platform for real-world networking, mentorship and collaboration.

Today, Rachel wears many hats, proving that creativity isn’t just about what you create, it’s also about the people you bring together.

DEAD Enterprise: A Solution to Career Uncertainty

Rachel's journey into entrepreneurship didn't stem from a business idea but rather from a question: Why is entering the workforce so terrifying?

"Starting a business is intimidating. Even getting a job straight out of university feels overwhelming,” she inferred. “So we thought, why not create something that acts like a friend, guiding people through that process?"

With a clear goal in mind, Rachel and her like-minded co-founder launched DEAD enterprise at UCSI. Unlike other student clubs focused on industries like photography, skateboarding or culinary arts, DEAD was different. It wasn’t about one field, but about bridging the gap between students from all walks of life and the real world. The name of the company alludes to the mystery and fear that often shrouds entrepreneurship; “Death is something unknown, and for a lot of people, so is starting a business. It can feel scary, but it’s also full of possibility.”

As graphic designers, Rachel and her co-founder built the club’s branding, visual identity, and messaging in a way that immediately set it apart. Within its first year, DEAD hosted workshops, branding sessions, and talks with venture capitalists. But the most impactful initiative they hosted was the student marketplace.

Set up in high-traffic areas of campus, the marketplace allowed student entrepreneurs to sell their products, interact with customers, and experience being a vendor in a real-world setting. "It was a space where students could experiment without the high stakes of the real world. They could fail, learn, and try again." 

Seeing the importance of real-world networking, DEAD didn't stop at university events. Rachel and her team began organising off-campus networking events designed to help people meet like-minded individuals beyond the student bubble. "Nowadays, most of our conversations happen online. But there’s something different about meeting people in person, having real interactions, and forming connections that don’t just exist in a chat window.”

However, scaling up came with its own set of challenges: 

Safety was a priority, especially for female attendees. “If someone made others uncomfortable, they were removed. No exceptions."

Overcoming scepticism, with scams and spam events becoming common, getting people to trust DEAD Enterprise as a genuine networking space required consistent branding, transparency, and community building.

Managing expectations, networking isn’t just about job hunting. "We wanted to create a space where people weren’t just there to ‘sell’ themselves but to genuinely connect."

What began as a university initiative has now expanded into something bigger: a growing network of students and young professionals looking to learn, collaborate, and support each other in the uncertainty of the working world.

Making the leap to Malaysia

All this was possible because Rachel made the initial leap to fly across the ocean and pursue her tertiary education in Malaysia. While she was enthusiastic about the idea of studying abroad, the transition wasn't smooth. “Malaysia and Indonesia are really similar, but at the same time, everything still felt new—the culture, the food, even figuring out my university schedule.” 

Like many students at the time, Rachel had to spend the first parts of her degree studying online; having to reintegrate into the world of in-person studying while in a new cultural setting proved challenging. But Rachel always remained optimistic. “I’m an extrovert, so meeting people has never been an issue. I was more excited than nervous.”

Her decision to attend UCSI was influenced by her sister, who had studied there before. For her parents, it was the perfect balance: a safe environment, but one that still gave Rachel the freedom to explore and grow.

Looking back, she recognised how much she had changed since moving. “You hit 22, 23, and suddenly you’re in this weird in-between space. You’re not a student anymore, but you’re also not sitting at the table with the 28-year-olds who are buying houses and planning their kids’ futures.”

It’s that sense of navigating the in-between—between student life and the professional world, between creativity and entrepreneurship—that continues to shape Rachel’s journey today.

Designing with Purpose: Storytelling Through Visuals

Rachel has always seen creativity as a way to connect with others, whether through entrepreneurship, events, or design. As DEAD Enterprise grew, she realised that branding wasn’t just about making things look good: it was about shaping how people perceived and engaged with the platform.

Her relationship with graphic design started long before DEAD Enterprise. Although she has always been drawn to art, music, and theatre, what fascinated her most was graphic design’s ability to communicate clearly. “Art is open to interpretation, but design has a purpose. You want people to receive the message exactly as you intended.”

For Rachel, graphic design is storytelling in its most structured form. Every colour, typography, and composition carries meaning. She doesn’t just create visuals; she crafts experiences that guide how people interact with a brand or idea. Whether she’s working on brand identities, social media campaigns, or motion graphics, her goal is always to ensure that the story is told in a way that is both visually compelling and easy to understand.

Beyond DEAD Enterprise, Rachel applies these same principles in her professional work. She has worked with corporate brands, start-ups, and creative campaigns, helping them refine their identities and communicate their message effectively. No matter the industry, her approach remains the same: graphic design should not just attract attention, it should hold meaning.

At its core, graphic design is Rachel’s way of bridging gaps and fostering connections. Whether through branding, storytelling, or event visuals, her goal is to bring people together, create meaningful engagement, and ensure that creativity serves a purpose beyond aesthetics.

Looking Ahead: Growth, Goals, and Living with Intention

With everything Rachel has built so far, she sees her journey as only the beginning. One of her main goals is to expand DEAD Enterprise beyond Malaysia, bringing events and networking initiatives to Singapore and Indonesia. She envisions it as a regional hub where young professionals and entrepreneurs can find opportunities, resources, and meaningful connections.

Outside of DEAD Enterprise, she is focused on refining her craft as a graphic designer. She is excited to work with diverse clients, industries, and creative projects, and thrives in fast-paced environments where graphic design plays a crucial role in communication and engagement.

At the core of it all, Rachel believes in living with intention. “I don’t want people to just drift through life. I want them to actually live it, to be present, and to make the most of every experience.”