the only reason I pointed this out was that I felt that if a foreigner with no friends, no connections or understanding of our local cultures and business environment could grow a thriving business and become successful, what more are the opportunities for the Malaysian woman like us!

Couldn't agree more. I've met some (both men and women) who travel abroad for work and can't speak the local language after years (one was 8 years in UK and not speak English well enough), or had a hard time making friends. Entrepreneurship aside, I think it's about the proactiveness of the person too. My 2cents...