Kelly Keak is able to follow her passion through her skincare business.
Evangeline Wong gains independence by operating a yacht charter company.
Jamie Lim separates her personal image from that of her furniture brand.
Harmin Kaur explores creativity through her business for spectacular events.
KELLY KEAK
Managing Director, MTM Skincare Pte Ltd.
Learning the skincare trade at her mother's side gave Kelly an early advantage
In 2003, Kelly Keak began working on her family's new venture. The Singapore launch of Japanese MTM Skincare. It was not the ideal time to start a business. Especially a business that relied on direct personal service as the SARS epidemic raged. “If this fails,” Kelly recalls her mother warning her, “we'll have to sleep on the streets.” So Kelly helped the operation in any way she could, even handing out leaflets to pedestrians.
The bad prospects were averted by the collective efforts of the team. No one had to sleep on the streets, the business survived and even flourished.
In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kelly rebranded the business as mtm labo. It emphasizes personalized skincare, the effectiveness of which is based on customized solutions of superior science.
The new brand also emphasized gender-neutral skincare. “Our commitment to inclusivity and diversity is reflected in our revamped brand identity. This ensures that our products and services are accessible and beneficial to people of all genders.” Kelly commissioned acclaimed Japanese designer Kenya Hara to create new packaging. Kenya Hara devised elegant, deep green jars that represent nature and natural beauty.
“My business allows me to follow my passion, validate my skills as a leader and learn. Yet to constantly adapt to the changing skincare industry.”.
Learning the trade from her mother's side, a longtime figure in the beauty industry, gave Kelly an early advantage. She saw the pleasure her mother derived from providing skin care treatments to her clients. She felt she contributed to the business as she watched her clientele grow. Over time she began to take on more and more responsibility, eventually taking over the reins of the business in 2017.
Whatever innovations he picked up along the way, Kelly applied them to the business. On top of that, she cultivated a caring environment for her employees. She instilled in them values such as filial piety, empathy and compassion. “As a business owner, I prioritize putting the needs of our customers first. We actively listen to them, provide personalized solutions and ensure we meet their expectations.”.
The values of quality and excellence, as well as social responsibility, resonate with Kelly.
“Providing products and services of the highest quality is our unwavering commitment. We maintain strict quality control measures and use top quality ingredients and extracts. This ensures effective, personalized, as well as safe skincare solutions for our customers.
“I strongly believe in social responsibility and giving back to the community. We are actively involved in charitable initiatives such as sponsoring charity galas and organizing charity events. By supporting these causes, we aim to make a positive impact on society and contribute to the well-being of those in need.”.
Kelly Keak is among the recipients of the 2023 Women Entrepreneurs Awards for the SME category.
EVANGELINE WONG
Manager, SOTS (Star of the Sea) Superyacht.
Evangeline aims to develop products and services that address important social needs
Earlier this year, Evangeline Wong launched the 128-foot Star of the Sea. The largest superyacht available for charter in Singapore, in partnership with veteran yacht builder Julian Chang. This is the latest expansion for Valencia Yachts, Evangeline's charter business. It was launched in 2015 with an initial fleet of one Leopard 51 catamaran and one Leopard 39 PC catamaran. Last year, it added two 47-foot yachts custom-built in Singapore, Maximum and Maximum 2.
A graduate of RMIT with a degree in Business Administration and a focus on entrepreneurship, Evangeline has a solid foundation. She has further strengthened them with valuable experiences through internships, professional development courses and working in various roles in the industry. “All of this has provided me with a deep understanding of the market, customer needs and effective business strategies,” she says with justifiable pride.
Like most entrepreneurs, Evangeline keeps an eye on the sustainability, profitability and longevity of the business. But she also pursues innovation, creativity and positive social impact through her business. “My goal is to develop products and services that address important social needs. Also that contribute to the betterment of individuals and communities.” To this end, she has created a supportive and inclusive work environment. There, employees can grow and contribute to the fullest.
“My passion for the industry, my desire for autonomy and independence and the opportunity to create something meaningful and impactful inspired me to start my business.”.
“Building and growing a business requires constant learning, adaptability and resilience. These contribute to my personal growth as an entrepreneur,” says Evangeline. So far they have kept her focused on challenging and motivating herself, in touch with her passions and willing to positively impact the lives of others. Factors that are a foundation for her self-esteem and personal growth.
“I am committed to integrity, transparency and ethical behaviour,” she says, “and I manifest them in fair dealings with clients, employees and stakeholders.” Open communication, respect for diversity and promoting a culture of collaboration and teamwork are among the other goals she pursues.
Evangeline is actively involved in SeaKeepers Asia's marine conservation and educational outreach programs. It also sponsors the use of its vessels in worthwhile charitable activities.
JAMIE LIM
Managing Director, Scanteak Singapore.
Jamie made marketing films in the US to join the family business in Singapore.
A degree from a university in the US has put Jamie Lim on the path to a career in Hollywood. But in 2004 she swapped marketing films at Walden Media to join Scanteak, the family-owned furniture business in Singapore. However, instead of taking up a senior position, he opted to start in sales. This was to learn as much as he could about the company's position and products in the market. Also about consumer behaviour and the local climate in furniture retailing. From there she moved up the ladder, moving from regional marketing director to managing director in 2019.
Jamie's parents started the Scanteak brand in Singapore in 1988 after the success of Hawaii Furnishings, the founding company. Together with her younger brother, she became the second generation driver of the business to keep the family legacy alive.
To elevate the business while upgrading and establishing its relevance through rebranding and redesign is a motivation for Jamie.
Therefore, Scanteak, as a group, has focused on growth through branding, mergers and acquisitions and product expansion. Jamie herself spearheaded the company's entry into e-commerce. In 2022, in collaboration with an external partner, she launched the independent Kumo brand. It is based on a business model that works with artificial intelligence through machine learning, automating processes and selling affordable quality products.
As an entrepreneur who serves as an advisor to various academic and industry boards, Jamie still finds time for the Singapore Furniture Industry Council (SFIC); as a board member, she is involved in sustainability initiatives that help member companies leverage sustainable practices for greater opportunities.
“My Christian beliefs play a big part in defining my basic identity as an individual. They also act as a beacon in my daily life. While I play different roles and learn to become better every day, even as a CEO,” she says.
“I try every day to disconnect my business and my self-esteem. My business and my self-esteem are not interdependent. I am not the business and the business is not me.”.
Jamie focuses on the importance of family and the community we build around us. “Core values hold a family together, and while we are part of the family, we become the embodiment of the values it imparts. I hold strong to trust and integrity, as these values are vital to shaping the community around us. She also becomes our central support system, both personally and professionally.”.
These values are not built overnight, she stresses; they require dedication and consistency. Jamie and the Scanteak leadership are steadfast in setting a good example that all team members can follow. These actions, she affirms, manifest themselves in terms of office culture, professionalism and efficiency at work, and personal integrity.
HARMIN KAUR
CEO/Co-Founder, STELLAIRE.
Former private banker, Harmin understands the “narrow access” sought by HNWIs
In 2022, Harmin Kaur co-founded the non-profit organisation Women Venture Asia. The organization sought to empower women entrepreneurs. It gave them access to networks and even a vibrant ecosystem of entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders to address the gender gap.
Together with the board, he helped design initiatives that would help build an inclusive economy. So that women can realize their full potential. Because, as Harmin reasons, “when women prosper, economies and societies prosper.”.
Since then Harmin has established a private company that may seem a far cry from a nonprofit - but only from afar. Stellaire organizes events, and when she does, she draws inspiration from a variety of sources.
What it ultimately delivers to customers and their guests are upgraded and immersive experiences that reinforce whatever message needs to be spread. At its core, Stellaire, like Women Venture Asia, builds on Harmin's innate abilities to bring people together for shared and immersive experiences. She is, at her core, a people mover. Once she finds a worthy cause, she will rally people around it.
A former Goldman Sachs banker, Harmin has a network of UHNWIs, from which she understands the ” personal touch ” they prefer. Especially in art and cultural experiences.
“I've always been curious about the artistic heritage,” he says. “I've also spent a lot of time engaging and meeting with famous restaurateurs and winemakers. What inspires me is their journey. So I want to profile them and their journey and share it with my guests as part of their overall product and service experience.”.
For her first event, Stellaire organized a private preview of an immersive Van Gogh exhibition. The exhibition also included an exclusive dinner created by Michelin-starred chef Jonathan Zandbergen. Also musical accompaniment by jazz artist Alemay Fernandez.
“I appreciate the dedication. It's all about long-term relationships. So I rely on years of relationships with the craftsmen we work with. It's about valuing those relationships, so I'm passionate about sharing their story.’.
Harmin sees her entire journey as an entrepreneur as something very different from what she has done in the past.
“I've always worked for multinational companies, but now I'm developing my own business. It's a very moving experience. The negative levels are lower, but the high levels are higher. The learning curve has been steep and without the resources I was used to. I really had to believe in myself and my vision.”.
Despite the challenges, the business has given Harmin the freedom to build and create experiences for its community. “Our vision takes on a new dimension through extraordinary encounters and specially curated moments, such as those that give exclusive access to culinary maestros, legendary artists and performers, musical prodigies, high-fashion creators and innovators.
“It's not about profit over relationships,” Harmin says. “It's the opposite. Profitability will come eventually. For our customers, the tradespeople we work with and also our partners.”.
Source: solitairemagazine.com
