A baby planner for first time mums! What a great idea… Find out how this entrepreneur managed her busy work life and went on to set up her own business to help new moms manage the arrival of their baby.
What’s your story?
I’ve been many things. I was a fashion model doing runways and commercials in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong from the age of 16. I hung up my heels at 24, moved to Sydney, Australia to study Early Child Care and Education. Since then, I was an Event Sales Manager at Sydney Aquarium, Operation Manager at Zouk Singapore and I also founded a soup and salad bar called The Soupery.
When I was pregnant with my first child, I was working 13 hour days running an F&B business, whilst having to plan the arrival of my baby, expected to eat well and look after myself, and know what to do when the baby arrives! Naturally, I turned to Google and the more I read, the more stressed out and overwhelmed I was by the mountain of information out there. All I wanted was a little support and someone to tell me, what the differences are between baby teats!
So The Chill Mom Maternity Concierge was born to provide that the same support and unbiased advice I needed to time-starved, overwhelmed first time moms.
What excites you most about your industry?
Babies! I get to work with pregnant mothers who want the best for themselves and for their babies. The love they have for their unborn babies is infectious. Seeing my clients having stress-free pregnancies, gaining confidence, looking good and feeling great is very rewarding for me.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I’m from Malaysia, born and bred. Now I live in Singapore with my family and my maternity concierge business is based here too.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Singapore. The infrastructure makes it very easy to run a business here. Almost everything can be done online – from incorporating a company to paying taxes to applying for foreign workers.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
‘If you want something, ask for it. No one can read your mind’. It is so true and applicable in every aspect of our lives – personal relationships, closing a deal and asking for help.
Who inspires you?
My mom is my first and foremost inspiration. She gave up her dreams to be a stay at home mom to raise and educate us. She passed away when I was just 13 years old but all her wisdom and teachings stay with me today.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
I recently discovered that a person’s health and well-being, susceptibility to disease, intelligence and temperament is determined during the 9 months gestation period in a mother’s womb. Basically what a mother eats, drinks, breathes, and feels during pregnancy affects her baby’s entire life.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I would probably choose to start my entrepreneurship journey earlier, instead of waiting for the right time. When I started my first F&B business, I wasted 6 months on research and writing a business plan.
That aside, I’m happy where I am at the moment and I probably wouldn’t be here if not for the past experiences and mistakes that I’ve made.
How do you unwind?
On rare occasions when my kids and husband are asleep early, having a book in one hand and a bar of chocolate in the other hand. I also like watching Ellen, blogging and spending time with my kids!
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Penang. Delicious street food, friendly people, inexpensive shopping. My dad recently moved to Penang, so I have a ‘local’ who shows me around the island.
Everyone in business should read this book:
Entrepreneur Revolution – Daniel Priestley.
Shameless plug for your business:
I believe a mother who enjoys her pregnancy goes into motherhood with the right frame of mind. She is confident and fulfilled to take on her role and be an inspiration to her children.
The Chill Mom Maternity Concierge is a premier baby planner & maternity concierge service based in Singapore. We help busy first time moms plan the arrival of their babies. Everyday, over 1000 people read The Chill Mom blog on www.thechillmom.com
My clientele are well heeled, professional women in their 30s.
I provide a tailored timeline, all the essentials for busy moms-to-be, including personalized shopping lists, one-on-one consultations, customized resources and sometimes bed rest assistance.
Right now, I’m writing a book and working on a TV program based on my work as a baby planner. I’m currently looking for people to join my team as employees, venture partners, advertisers and potential clients. I can be contacted at [email protected]
How can people connect with you?
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +65 9323 883
Website/Blog: www.thechillmom.com
Linkedin: https://sg.linkedin.com/in/michhon
Facebook: www.fb.com/thechillmom
Twitter handle?
@thechillmom
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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/>
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