Stephanie Dickson is on a rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, and loving it! Based in Singapore, Stephanie is enjoys being part of the start-up world.
What’s your story?
An Australian Scottish lass who grew up in Asia, which explains the hybrid accent and obsession with Asian food. As a third culture kid, I am fascinated by other people and am always seeking new experiences. I spent four years working for an international events agency, planning luxury events and fashion weeks around the region, until recently when the entrepreneurial life beckoned. Since then it has been a rollercoaster ride, one which I don’t think I will ever want to get off.
What excites you most about your industry?
The most exciting thing about my industry is that people are starting to care as much (if not more) about their wellness over their wealth. There is a growing thirst for self-improvement, with a focus on both internal and external wellness. There are some clever people creating innovative products and services to make each and every one of our lives better.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I first moved to Asia when I was 5 years old for my father’s job in finance. We then bounced around, back and forth, between Japan, Scotland, Australia and Singapore. Asia is such an exciting fast paced place, that when I graduated from University in Australia, I had to come back. As a third culture kid you have the unique experience of feeling at home in a few places, sometimes nowhere at all and sometimes two places feel like home at the same time! I am lucky enough to call Singapore one of my homes.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Singapore of course! It is probably one of the most exciting places in the world to be for entrepreneurs. The ecosystem that is in place is fantastic and continually expanding. The appetite for new experiences, conversations and collaborations is palpable. The push for you to be the best you can be in business and life is real, everyday.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Difficult to pick just one. One of my favorites was from my best friend Krystal, who said “you’ve got to deal with the hand you’ve been dealt.” It was one of those conversations where a few different ideas came to light at the same time and you have an ‘ah ha’ moment. Sometimes you get dealt a winning hand and sometimes you look at the cards and think I’m out. But around the corner you could land the perfect cards and still win the game.
Who inspires you?
Marie Forelo has been an huge inspiration. Her brand is authentic, powerful, loving and makes you feel better and stronger. I am also inspired on a daily basis by all the incredible ideas cropping up all around us from people who are making a real difference in the world. It ignites something inside me when I discover a new brand or person who has that relentless yet humble energy. You just know they will, or maybe they already are, changing the world.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
‘You get what you pitch for and you are always pitching’ – Key Person of Influence. It is a difficult thing to get your head around and to alter your behaviour. However when you connect the dots and realise that everything you put out you get back. It can be quite a phenomenal mindset shift.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I feel very strongly about not living with regret, so there wouldn’t be anything that I would do differently. If I did, then I wouldn’t be who I am today. One thing that I would impart to others from my experience is to always come back to the idea of living in the moment. Life goes by so quickly, don’t waste time wishing and regretting. Just do it, live it and love every moment of it.
How do you unwind?
I love yoga and wine, laughing with friends and family, taking walks and snoogling up on the couch with a great show or movie. I am getting more into reading, finally! The best thing is just being around the people I love.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
It would have to be Phuket. I am an avid sunset chaser and the sunsets in Phuket are spectacular. The breeze is calming, the food is divine and the Thai people are very welcoming and warm.
Everyone in business should read this book:
In Business – ‘The New One Minute Manager’ by Ken Blanchard.
In life – ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle.
In love – ‘Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus’ by John Gray.
Shameless plug for your business:
The Wedge Asia is a conscious community bringing like-minded people together to be inspired, to gain knowledge so that we can all take action to live more consciously. What does this really mean? It means we want to be more present, more awake and more empowered to make better choices everyday for positive change.
Since our launch in June, we’ve had over 800 people attend our monthly events, where industry experts present on trending topics and pioneering brands are introduced. We also launched Singapore’s first Conscious Festival last year called Green Is The New Black.
How can people connect with you?
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or send us an email at [email protected], we would love to hear from you!
Twitter handle?
@stephldickson @thewedgeasia
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This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:
Callum Laing invests and buys small businesses in a range of industries around Asia. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is the founder & owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 12 countries. He is a Director of, amongst others, Key Person of Influence. A 40 week training program for business owners and executives.
Take the ‘Key Person of Influence’ scorecard <http://www.keypersonofinfluence.com/scorecard/>
Connect with Callum here:
twitter.com/laingcallum
linkedin.com/in/callumlaing
Get his free ‘Asia Snapshot’ report from www.callumlaing.com
