Mother’s Day is tomorrow and boy do we have a treat for you! Yesterday, we covered an article on Malaysia’s influential moms as they dish out the real tea on juggling motherhood, work and “me-time”.
On this Mother’s Day exclusive interview, the Sevenpie team have reached out to a bunch of daughters who you may follow on social media, as they share stories and advice imparted by their own mothers.
1. Chien Wei
Influencer, Owner of ChikiBunnie
Chien Wei Hah is a go-getter influencer, with a law degree who owns her own clothing business named ChikiBunnie. Talk about accomplishments, this girl is killing it in all directions.
1. What did your mom initially make of you, becoming an influencer?
She takes this whole influencer thing as a “modelling” gig, like I model for brands and promote for them. So she was like, “Wow! You’re modelling and you get so many people[followers] to see you model”. It’s actually really fun to see how parents perceive this new age of marketing on social media, in how people can market a product or service with just one snap of a photo.
2. What is that ONE memorable thing that your mom has done for you?
There are countless memorable things that my mother has done for me. But I think the most memorable one has got to be her tutoring me for my studies since I was young. When she was tutoring me, I would get sleepy after awhile and she’ll get me to dance the waltz with her, so I stay awake. That was really cute of her.
3. Can you describe your favourite mother-and-daughter time together?
Since I’m always away from home, it makes my time with her a lot more precious. So my favourite together would be when I get to sit down and have a nice afternoon tea with my mom. It didn’t matter where we went for tea, the conversations and laughs I’ve had with my mom is always something I really cherish.
4. What attributes of your mum do you think you’ve inherited or adapted in your personality?
My mom is a really strong woman, she is also very highly-educated and ambitious, so she has influenced me to be as equally independent and ambitious. I have a lot to thank her for, and I hope that when I become a mother I could impart my mother’s work-ethic and discipline to my kids as well.
5. What was the most memorable advice your mum has given you?
Women must be financially independent and to not settle for less!
I find that to be really important, as females are now gaining more of a voice as compared to the olden times. And I feel that with this new-found independency, we have a responsibility to ourselves to rely on our passions, instincts and desires to achieve the best of our lives and the best of ourselves.
6. If you can say something to your mum in 10 words, what would you want to say?
Thanks for giving me everything you have, I love you!
2. Joanne Shingwei Lee
Influencer; Photographer, Co-owns J Studio Workshop
Joanne Shingwei Lee is an influencer who has her own photography/calligraphy workshop along with her boyfriend, Junior How.
1. What did your mom initially make of you, becoming an influencer?
She was so surprised when she found out, I think it was because of the generation gap where the methods of marketing are vastly different now. Then she went on to ask me if she could be an influencer too, she asked if there was an “Aunty category”. It really cracked me up.
2. What is that ONE memorable thing that your mum has done for you?
She took care of me when I was admitted for an operation few years back. I was feeling extremely low and just weak, and she consistently was there whenever I woke up. The consistency of how she was able to provide for me at all times, really touched me, and made me realize that being a mother truly isn’t easy.
3. Can you describe your favourite mother-and-daughter time together?
Aside from the influencer gigs I do have other jobs and commitments, so it’s really hard to get a hold of some quality time, but I would have to say my favourite time spent with my mom would be when we’re on vacations. Traveling with my mom is something that I really enjoy, as we both learn new things about each other and the country we visit.
4. What attributes of your mum do you think you’ve inherited or adapted in your personality?
Positive thinking. I’ve always loved that my mom would choose to see the bright-side of things and in my dire times, her cheeriness and optimism has definitely cheered me on to go forth with whatever the obstacle is in front of me.
5. What was the most memorable advice your mum has given you?
My mom has always told me to be humble and grateful. And those are wise-words that I live by ‘till this day.
6. If you can say something to your mum in 10 words, what would you want to say?
Mom, you made me who I am. I love you.
3. Michelle Lee
Influencer; Monash Graduate
Michelle Lee (also known as Micnienie), is one of the hottest rising influencers. With her amazing showcase of styles, it’s no wonder she’s had the booming following she has today.
1. What did your mom initially make of you, becoming an influencer?
Initially, she didn’t really know what or how to respond as she’s never used Instagram before. So she was generally really curious, but I showed her ropes and the legitimacy on how people market their products through influencers. And I would say that she’s really proud of me, that I know how to hustle and manage the content that I handle with big brands.
2. What is that ONE memorable thing that your mum has done for you?
On my 17th birthday, she hid a short hand-written letter in my drawer and along with a note was a new phone to surprise me. It was the first phone I’ve ever had and I wanted it really badly. This was first memory that came to my mind.
3. Can you describe your favourite mother-and-daughter time together?
Ever since I’ve completed my high school education, I left my hometown to the busy city of Kuala Lumpur to pursue my studies and dreams. It’s been really hard to spend time together with her since then, so as cheesy as it sounds, every time I spend my time with her will always be my favourite time
But if I had to be specific, shopping and travelling will be my favourite way to spend our mother-and-daughter time, as it’s both of our favourite things to do.
4. What attributes of your mum do you think you’ve inherited or adapted in your personality?
How she works hard, she never stops pushing herself. I think personal growth is really important and to keep learning is to keep growing, and I admire my mom’s work-ethic, so I avail myself to learning at every opportunity that I can get.
5. What was the most memorable advice your mum has given you?
As a little girl, she’s always told me to remember to love myself and do what I love to do. Also, she taught me to be strong and learn how to be independent.
6. If you can say something to your mum in 10 words, what would you want to say?
You are a mother like no other, I love you.
4. Xin Hui
Influencer; University of Malaya Graduate
Xin Hui is a lifestyle influencer who is known for chowing and posing at the hottest cafes, as well as her amazing content on YouTube. She is also a professional Utah family dentist, we love a working gal!
1. What did your mom initially make of you, becoming an influencer?
It was the typical teen-teaches-parent type of situation, she just asked, “Err… What’s Instagram ah?” And I had to do explain everything from A to Z, so you can imagine the amusement and somewhat frustration, it took to explain how Instagram, (let alone influencer) worked.
2. What is that ONE memorable thing that your mum has done for you?
When she actually took up Chinese lessons herself, just to teach me the language when I was 5 years old. I was really touched. (She’s a ‘banana’, by the way!)
3. Can you describe your favourite mother-and-daughter time together?
When we both laze on the couch watching TV! It doesn’t matter what program is on. We just enjoy spending time together, and being in each other’s company soothes us a lot.
4. What attributes of your mum do you think you’ve inherited or adapted in your personality?
My mum has always been an analytical person. I guess I inherited that trait as I always love to plan and scrutinize to the tiniest detail and in my job-scope as an influencer, I am able to apply it in my content.
5. What was the most memorable advice your mum has given you?
She told me it’s not important to be right all the time, but it’s important to always be kind. I learned that as I was growing up.
6. If you can say something to your mum in 10 words, what would you want to say?
Thanks for bringing me into this world. I love you!
