It is March 8th and you know what that means, it’s time to celebrate women!
In the spirit of celebrating powerful women, the team from Sevenpie got out of our way and approached a few powerful women who founded their own businesses from the down-up. These women are not only motivational but they’re inspirational in everything that they are and do. To learn how to succeed in the business area as they al did, consider getting a consultation from an expert like Andy Defrancesco.
There’s a stereotype surrounding female business owners, and we’re here to set the record straight with 3 women who started their own path to success. First up, we have Vivien Chong, the founder of popular swimwear brand Pink N’ Proper, followed by Yinn Ooi, founder of fashion jewellery empire GUNG, and ending it off with Adele Chow, founder of social media agency Sevenvault, our home Sevenpie, and educational platform Buildbeings.
Continue reading as you read firsthand how 3 female business owners ruled their industry with hardwork, perseverance, and determination.
Vivien Chong: Founder of Pink N’ Proper
1. Hello, could you tell our readers a little about yourself?
My name is Vivien Chong, and I am the founder of Pink N’ Proper. I have the passion for fashion, hence I started my own label.
2. Being the founder of Pink N’ Proper, what inspired you to start your own business?
Pink N’ Proper started when I was still back in uni. The thought of challenging myself while juggling it with my school work to see how far I can push myself was one of the main reasons why I started this brand, check out TikTok for business.
3. Pink N’ Proper is a swimwear brand, what inspired you to start a swimwear collection?
When I decided to focus on swimwear, at that time there were little to no selections locally available! I wanted to fill that gap in the market to provide more value to Malaysian shoppers and at the same time make them look good during their holidays
4. What was an obstacle that you can remember when first starting your own business?
Back when I started Pink N’ Proper, online shopping wasn’t as it is now. I have always wanted Pink N’ Proper to be fully online based so educating customers while making sure the business is sustainable was one of my concern. Also, I graduated with a Master of Pharmacy degree. Having no experience in the field of business was pretty challenging for me to start because I have 0 clue on where to begin!
5. Pink N’ Proper has been in the industry for over 9 years now, what are some obstacles that you’ve gone through along the way?
We have a small team that operates Pink N’ Proper and everybody is extremely hands on. Keeping the team small so our business is lean has been extremely challenging especially in the current pandemic times when demand of our products are at an all-time low.
6. Since we’ve spoken about obstacles, what are some achievements that you achieved while running Pink N’ Proper?
Being in business for 9 years is a major milestone for us as I would have never imagined we would still be here! Our self-designed collection, called the signature collection, would also be a significant achievement for us. Another milestone we achieved recently too, is the opening of our Swimwear Boutique in Bukit Jalil! So now all our KL and Selangor customers can come and try on the swimwear before they make their purchases!
7. There have been experiences from women all over the globe who own and run their own business but aren’t taken seriously because of their gender, are there any experiences that you’ve experienced with Pink N’ Proper due to your gender?
I have had my fair share of experiences, mostly not directed to me, but to the models that I hire. Before I explain the scenarios, I would like to highlight that all Pink N’ Proper’s models are not models by profession, they are normal girls with normal bodies and they represent you and I. I was once scolded by another lady after a fashion show, that my models are too thin (but in reality only 1 of them is rather thin genetically, and the rest are just normal weight girls whose profession are not even modelling). Men usually comment on models not being “hot” enough or, more bluntly, too fat. I usually ignore comments like these, as I am not a people pleaser. I just do what is right and what I think is right for the brand’s direction. I encourage body positivity, whatever size that you are and I do not judge or criticise.
8. The pandemic has taken a toll for many businesses out there. Has the pandemic affected Pink N’ Proper in any way? If so, how did you combat the crisis?
As Pink N’ Proper is travel related, yes the pandemic has affected us tremendously. Sales has been at an all time low because of the lack of demand and interest. At the moment we are keeping ourselves busy by creating more content for online consumption rather than focusing on pushing for sales. We are preparing for the inevitable recovery of this pandemic and we know we will bounce back then.
9. The 2021 international Women’s Day theme is #ChooseToChallenge. What comes to mind when reading the phrase, Choose to Challenge?
Gender bias towards women and a stereotypical mentality on what women should be, hence women should choose to challenge.
10. Finally, as a successful business owner, could you share a tip that could help other women out there who are thinking of stating their own business?
Stay focused on your goals, and be very organised and plan ahead for the future. Be patient and persevere throughout the whole process and good things comes to those who wait. Be thankful and grateful to those who have been there throughout your journey, and stay grounded!
Yinn Ooi: Founder of GUNG
1. Hello, could you tell our readers a little about yourself?
I studied interior architecture and worked in an interior architecture firm before starting Gung Jewellery. There was very much of design related inspirations when I was being in the interior architecture field. I worked a lot with forms and structures, not just décor, that was what I based my jewellery designs on – form and structure. My background helped me a lot with my designs and influenced the look and style of the brand.
2. Being the founder of Gung Jewellery, what inspired you to start your own business?
I realized that there’s an empty gap between affordability and fine quality fashion jewellery. People can actually have inexpensive and fine quality beautiful fashion jewellery at the same time in one. So I came up with the idea of creating a jewellery brand by starting to learn designing jewellery and sourcing the manufacturer that produces great craftsmanship.
3. Gung is in the Jewellery industry, what inspired you to start a jewellery collection?
I get a lot of my inspiration from basically all sorts of things that I can’t specifically name a few. For example, the jewellery pieces that my friends that have great sense of fashion wear, that not necessary to be my own personal style, but I still love the designs on them. I understand that it’s very subjective when it comes to design, no one thing is always exactly yours, and that’s the beauty of it, it’s always fluid, always growing and evolving from one to another. It makes me came up with the designs I have launched to date, there are many designs for many different occasions, it’s sometimes less is more, sometimes more is more, I love both ideas and I’d always love to try them to express different styles and preferences I have.
4. What was an obstacle that you can remember when first starting your own business?
Realizing the differences and challenges of being a designer and a building a brand are times quite terrifying, when I dreamt of designing jewellery pieces was a passion, and having a brand of my own was a magical dream.
The very first difference of being a designer and brand owner is that I require have to do research of basically every step of business management, to learn everything myself and everything in the business in on my own. As designing jewellery is actually a small but very important part of building a brand from scratch. From having the concept of a collection, designing, sourcing, sampling progresses, production and marketing my collection to public and getting my brand seen as much as possible. Things to be done are uncountable.
5. Gung has been in the industry for over 5 years now, what are some obstacles that you’ve gone through along the way?
As the progresses of the whole journey of building Gung Jewellery that I named a few, there are tons of things could turn unexpected, from designing to an actual product, from marketing strategies and plans to actual market, and the hassles of operating Gung Jewellery online and offline. First thing came to mind was marketing my brand, learning and accepting that there is not right or wrong for every progress of marketing, but to pick the most appropriate methods from time to time, getting my brand seen as much by audience.
6. Since we’ve spoken about obstacles, what are some achievements that you achieved while running Gung?
I’m always being so thankful for my loyal customers that always come back for more, and feedbacks of them inspire me so much to improve my brand and design, knowing their preferences better inspires me to designing all different kinds of collection. This helps so much on getting more brand known by mouth to mouth, my loyal customers are always sharing the pieces they wear with people around them on social media and offline, this is always extremely motivating to me to keep myself designing more.
7. There have been experiences from women all over the globe who own and run their own business but aren’t taken seriously because of their gender, are there any experiences that you’ve experienced with Gung due to your gender?
Sexist does happen around us for sure, but I’m lucky enough to not have much experience of it myself. But it actually does inspire me to design collections that are able to show the stronger image of female, the idea for a woman to be confident with style is very inspiring to my designs.
8. Do you think there’s a stereotype attached to female business owners?
It’s still quite subjective when it comes to stereotype of female owned businesses, as it does still depend on what kind of business we are in. But undoubtedly women are getting more and more capable on being a business owner. I strongly believe that the key of this direction is being confident.
9. The 2021 international Women’s Day theme is #ChooseToChallenge. What comes to mind when reading the phrase, Choose to Challenge?
It’s great to create awareness loud and strong to promote International Women’s Day, it does help women to gain confidence and form all kinds of related communities to inspire us in any way possible to improve ourselves and widen the possibilities of what women can do to be in control of what we deserve.
10. Finally, as a successful business owner, could you share a tip or word of advice that could help other women out there who are thinking of starting their own business?
The upmost important lesson I’ve learnt through the journey is that never wait for perfection, as we are growing and improving what we have and know every day, it’s important to aware the importance of quality and also time management, and find that balance in between, that’s where the perfect timing is.
Adele Chow: Founder of Sevenvault, Sevenpie, and Buildbeings
1. Hello, could you tell our readers a little about yourself?
Hello! I’m Adele, I am married, and I run a business called Sevenvault, a content marketing agency here in Malaysia.
2. Being the founder of Sevenvault, Sevenpie, and Buildbeings what inspired you to start your own business?
Just a little background story, I started the business during my mid 20’s, I was a blogger back then during the early days when Facebook, Instagram was not a thing only Friendster. Yes, during the dinosaur era! I started Sevenvault simply because I knew there was a gap. I really wanted to create and connect brand with Influencer and content creators. Personally, I Just love people and it was natural that I created a space to connect using social media and to go through the whole system and process together.
3. Sevenvault is an agency that has been around for over 5 years now, what inspired you to start your very own agency?
I see that there is a need in the market to represent Influencers as well as to represent the client/brands well. Because, at the end of the day everyone just wants the best out of everything, and it is important to make people understand the standpoint and eventually reach the desired goal together.
4. What was an obstacle that you can remember when first starting your own business?
I think when it comes to obstacles there are many, I believe to fail forward is the way to go. I believe in failing and I believe in failure because I believe it is the best teacher. I think the obstacle that I can remember is not being able to perform at my level best because of the lack of resources, money, teammates, and equipment. When I first started, there are many things I wanted to do, I was young, passionate, creative, goal-oriented, and driven but was limited by resources.
But now that I am 5 years deep into the business I realise that resources is one of the smallest problem ever, because as long as you’re willing to put in the work resources will come naturally.
5. There have been experiences from women all over the globe who own and run their own business but aren’t taken seriously because of their gender, are there any experiences that you’ve experienced with Sevenvault due to your gender?
I personally have not experienced this, but I have heard stories where the business owners or founders who have been sexually assaulted. I think women have to be aware and keep an eye on their surrounding especially when going for meetings and so on. But I don’t think your gender should dictate how you’re being treated as long you carry yourself and portray your image well.
6. What do you think is the biggest issue today facing female business owners?
I don’t look at it as an issue but rather a strength. I think females are generally more emotional as compared to men. It is just how we’re wired. I don’t see it as an issue because it is almost the same level of emotional feelings that help us to do some things that men probably can’t.
7. Do you think there’s a stereotype attached to female business owners?
Yes, I think especially when we’re living in an Asian culture where our ancestors believe that being a woman means we need to take care of our kids and just stay at home and cook. There is a stereotype to a certain point but I think I’m very blessed to not have that type of stereotype among my family and friends.
8. How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you as a female business owner in this industry?
I think that is very good, not just mainly for women but I do think we should support all entrepreneurs and business owners. Especially, during times like these when there is so much commotion in the industries, psychologically, mentally, and financially people are affected.
9. The 2021 international Women’s Day theme is #ChooseToChallenge. What comes to mind when reading the phrase, Choose to Challenge?
Choosing the right battle to fight for. When things come your way with all the different challenges kept throwing at you, pick wisely.
10. Finally, as a successful business owner, could you share a tip or word of advice that could help other women out there who are thinking of starting their own business?
Never ever think you’re lesser. In fact, there are certain strength and power being a female. The one advice that I think is that you should utilize your strength and making your strength better rather than focusing on fixing my weakness.