Yvon’s desire to improve the breastfeeding experience led her to starting a company which, within 5 years, has established a presence in 14 markets.
What’s your story?
I’m the CEO and Founder of Hegen, Singapore’s leading mother and baby brand with an international presence in 14 markets. Prior to launching Hegen in 2015, I worked in the banking sector, before growing my parents’ manufacturing business, which has been developing mother and baby care products for over 30 years.
Motivated by my own breastfeeding experiences – I breastfed four children for a continuous 10 years – I created Hegen to reimagine, reinvent and modernise a feeding system that works in tandem with breastfeeding.
Drawing from my pain points, I developed the world’s first square feeding bottle with lids that can be simply pressed down to close and twisted to open, no cumbersome screw thread. These bottles are designed to be simple, practical and innovative so that mothers can express, store and feed in the same container, thereby minimising wastage and making every drop count.
The bottles come with storage lids that have connecting buttons for you to snap-on snap-off to help keep the fridge organised. We also created the world’s first relaxation breast pump which switches over to a TCM cupping-inspired massager to help improve circulation and relieve engorgement.
The entire Hegen ecosystem is designed to encourage women to breastfeed and prolong their journey for as long as they want. My mission is Be Different, Think Different, Create a Difference, and serve breastfeeding mothers around the world with empathy and compassion.
What excites you most about your industry?
Pregnancy announcements, gender reveals, birthing stories and babies! New life signifies new hope. I love being a mother and love hearing about parenting and baby stories. No two are ever the same. Motherhood is beautiful.
What is your connection to Asia?
Hegen is a true blue Made-in-Singapore brand with distribution points all over Asia, as well as other international markets.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Manila. The people there are so warm, hospitable and very family-oriented. The city is alive with music, good food and everyone is always happy and smiling. Makes business deals less stressful!
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Stay humble and never stop learning.
Who inspires you?
Nick Vijucic. Life isn’t about having, it’s about being. When you look for happiness in mere objects, they are never enough. Look around. Look within. Cherish what we have.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I would not change a thing. Life is about learning and improving through mistakes. I feel blessed to have experienced all the highs and lows in life, and believe I’ve lived the life I wanted to live. No regrets!
How do you unwind?
I listen to music, give myself a DIY facial or take bicycle rides around Singapore’s beautiful park connectors. Nature grounds me!
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Bali. It’s a tranquil getaway from city life where you’ll find an interesting melting pot of cultures, from the very modern and cosmopolitan to very traditional and religious. And yet, people are so tolerant of one another.
Everyone in business should read this book:
Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Shameless plug for your business:
Hegen believes in creating sustainable and high quality products that can continually be evolved to meet the different needs of the growing child. Designed to enhance the user experience, Hegen’s simple, practical and innovative products encourage a sustainable and hassle-free nursing experience.
How can people connect with you?
Email: [email protected] , [email protected]
www.hegen.com
Social Media Links?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hegen.official
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/hegen
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To hear how entrepreneurs around the world overcome their challenges, search your favourite podcast platform for ‘CallumConnects‘ to hear a 5-minute daily breakdown.
Callum Laing is an entrepreneur and investor based in Singapore. He has previously started, built, and sold half a dozen businesses and is now a Partner at Unity-Group Private Equity and Co-Founder and CEO of MBH Corporation PLC. He is the author of three best-selling books ‘Progressive Partnerships’, ‘Agglomerate’, and ‘Entrepreneurial Investing’.
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