Two years have passed since you graced the cover of Malaysia Tatler. What has changed for you and PurelyB since then?
When Tatler interviewed me in 2016, we had just launched our e-commerce platform on PurelyB. We have since closed the marketplace. Why? While business was good when we launched it, my co-founder Stephanie (Looi) and I both felt it in our guts that this wasn’t the right direction for us. We gave it a chance, but we realised it was not working for us. So we pivoted.
PurelyB raised some money via crowdfunding last year. Tell us more about it.
After we closed the marketplace on PurelyB, we organised an equity fundraising campaign that helped us raise RM1.8million in three and a half months. This fundraiser gave us a lot of validation that we were doing the right thing. You see, our funders weren’t just investors with a lot of money to burn. They were just members of the public and our core customers. It meant so much more to us that they believed in our business enough to put their money in. This is a huge responsibility.
Also read: A look at how Raja Jesrina's journey began with PurelyB
How important is mindfulness to you?
You need mindfulness to nurture and care for your body, mind as well as spirit, which translates to a more harmonious approach to life. Let me give an example. Last year, there was a point when PurelyB was growing at an accelerated rate. I wasn’t thinking about my wellbeing. Unfortunately, it affected the family culture Stephanie and I worked hard to inculcate in the company. It took a lot of mental strength to instil mindfulness back into my life. I made meditation a priority and discovered sleep yoga to help me cleanse off all the negative vibes. Once I made self-care a habit, I could see a huge improvement in my performance as a leader and CEO.
Speaking of habits, please describe your morning routine.
As an entrepreneur, my schedule is packed with commitments, so I make it a point to start my day on the right note, for optimum performance. In short, my morning routine includes: a tonic of apple cider vinegar and green smoothie, meditation and an energising yoga session. Throughout the day, I make an effort to eat mindfully.