What’s your story?
Started out as a Singapore AIrlines Flight crew. Joined a pagent and won the MISS SINGAPORE INTERCONTINENTAL 1994, which introduced me to the media world. Became a Radio RJ and a TV host in Singapore and was head hunted to run a Radio station in Sri Lanka, where I met my Singer/Actor husband from India and together we started out a Production House. 23 Frames Pte Ltd (Singapore). We have produced shows for India and Singapore and also one Malaysia movie and another is in the pipeline. Our programs aim to marry education and information and the women’s talk show “Achamillai Achamillai” : to motivate and educate women on latest in the working world was a major hit amongst the audience and the Media Authority of Singapore. The second season will be recorded this year for telecast on Vasantham.
What excites you most about your industry?
Everyday is a learning journey. You have to keep upto date to produce content that is current. As such its an exciting and stressful world where you have to keep up with changing times and at the same time think out of the box: quite a paradox indeed!
What’s your connection to Asia?
Born a Singaporean and married to an Indian national. My Parents are also Singaporeans but my roots go back to Sri Lanka. Started out a Production house called Rambutan Productions in India and produced shows for Polimer channel there. Started 24 Frames Sdn Bhd in Malaysia to produce a local movie (Khadalanain) in 2011 and now a second is in the pipeline (Andru). Started out doing TV content for Vasantham, Singapore Channel in 2009. Our VIDEOGRAPHY was nominated for best videography in Singapore’s Pradhana Vizha 2014. Also “Achamillai Achamillai’, a talk show for ladies(first of its kind in the Tamil media in Singapore) was a hit amongst the audience.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Singapore for its infrastructure and transparency. I do have businesses in Malaysia and India as well.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Create memories not statistics!
Who inspires you?
Dr Theyvendran of Stamford Press and MDIS. Rags to Riches story.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
A little girl I knew is now a scientist in America and the thing about it is that I had a conversation with her recently and the way she spoke about her research that she is ensuing, blew me away… the passion she exuded
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Nothing… every mistake was a learning experience!
How do you unwind?
Since we run our own business and we (husband and I) have 3 children age 12, 11, and 15months old, we hardly get any time to relax. As such we do “getaway” trips to unwind and “find” ourselves. Once a month we visit an asian country (sans Kids) : Malaysia, Indonesia usually and take at least one trip (sans Kids again) some where far. we also travel with the family at least once a year.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Malaysia. WE can just drive across the causeway and its cheap and exotic all at the same time. A great balance of concrete and natural Jungle. Though visiting Ang Kor Wat was an unforgettable memory, Malaysia beats it for relaxation- spa, food, friends, extended family all makes Malaysia a fav to me.
Everyone in business should read this book:
This is for the women, LEAN IN by Sheryl Sandberg and THRIVE by Arianna Huffington.
Shameless plug for your business:
We at 23 FRAMES PTE LTD, believe that we do an excellent job in marrying education and entertainment in TV and WEB content. A trustworthy content provider for Radio, TV and Web. Our programs reach out to the masses and almost always inspires them even if the genre is entertainment. Quality is our basic necessity. We also conduct workshops in acting and hosting. I also do grooming courses which again just does not stop there but also serves as an impetus in empowering people.
How can people connect with you?
People connect with me via social media and emails. My phone is always on silent mode and one an almost never reach me on my phone. Emails and texts get responses faster then phone calls. Perhaps I have telephonophobia.
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This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:
Callum Laing has started, built, bought and sold half a dozen businesses in a range of industries across two continents. He is the owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 11 countries and he is also the CEO of Entrevo Asia, a company that runs 40 week Growth Accelerator programs.
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