Mind your own BUSINESS!

Starting a company as an expat in Singapore can be tough. But if you’ve got a business idea, these superwomen might provide the inspo you need to go for it.

Being a business owner is a dream for many who long for a life without a pesky boss breathing down their neck or the chance to see their passion turn into a successful money-spinner. While we all know that starting up is no easy task, the challenges often increase when you’re a) female, and b) live overseas. But we won’t let that deter us! Globally, more women than ever are striking out solo. *New LinkedIn data shows that this was especially the case during Covid-19 when women sought out greater flexibility, or became ‘necessity entrepreneurs’ due to the economic headwinds from the pandemic. Read on to meet three enterprising expats in SG who’ve launched, are learning loads, and loving it.

Please describe your business to us … SCS is an online marketplace focused on curating a handpicked selection of Australian brands and making them accessible to women in Asia. We showcase a diverse range of styles from businesses who love breathable fabrics suitable for the humid climate. Today we stock nearly 30 Australian brands from all over the country.

When did you launch?

We launched in Hong Kong in 2021, a year after I’d left my buying manager job in Australia for a move to Asia. I knew I wanted to start a business, so when we were in quarantine I put it into action!

How does SCS stand out from other fashion retailers?

We’re unique because we offer face-to -face in-house fitting sessions, where we make sure our customers get the right sizing. They also benefit from advice and guidance from my experience as someone who has worked in the women’s fashion retail industry for nearly 20 years.

Where do you operate from?

I currently work from home. This really suits me because I have two small children. If one of them is ill, I can drop everything and be right there. It’s lovely as a mum to have that flexibility. I started my company as I’d love to leave a legacy and have a family business that my children can be proud of.

What obstacles did you face as an expat woman launching a business in SG?

The difficult thing in Singapore is the visa stuff. I couldn’t work when I got here so I applied for an LOC on my husband’s EP. This was a long and expensive process. It’s challenging for expat women to work here because of the DP visa, but I couldn’t not work. I’m very committed and serving my customers is in my blood. shecreatesstories.com | She Creates Stories | @she_creates_ stories 9667 9907

What do you wish someone had told you about running a business beforehand? How much time everything takes. I knew it would be hard work, but even small tasks take time when you’re doing everything on your own. I’m hoping to hire a local administration and marketing assistant this year to help me focus on my business strategy instead of getting bogged down in day-to-day admin. I’m excited about this, and for having someone to work alongside, as it can be quite lonely and isolating on your own.

What do you most love about being an independent business owner?

That I’m in charge of my diary, and I can be flexible. I try to do something new every week to do with my business –visiting local factories, new shopping centres, a pop up market or a customer event. This keeps me motivated, engaged and coming up with new ideas.

REBECCA’S BUSINESS BOO-BOOS (AND WHAT SHE LEARNT)

Launching in Hong Kong just before the Covid restrictions! In hindsight, there isn’t anything I could have done about this. However, it was great learning how to adapt fast. We quickly started contactless doorstep deliveries in Discovery Bay in the She Creates Stories golf buggy

Buying too many styles from an expensive Sydney designer that just did not sell in Asia. The fabric, although breathable, was too heavy, which cost me a lot of markdowns. This was a classic Covid issue, as not being able to travel meant I wasn’t able to touch and feel the stock. Thankfully I’m doing a buying trip to Australia this year!

Lack of financial backing meant we couldn’t do all the things I wanted to right away. Our slow and steady approach has worked well so far, and has meant that I’ve been able to be more 1:1 with our customers, which I think has been appreciated

Tell us about Conundrum Theatre …

We’re a theatre company in Singapore for young people. Our aim is to create unique theatre experiences for children, teenagers and emerging artists. Unlike other youth theatre companies, we present original works alongside our classes and tours to other countries.

Have you always worked in theatre?

I’ve been in the industry since I was 14, when I joined the Playhouse Theatre in Dunedin, New Zealand. I also studied theatre in Dunedin before moving around the world to Melbourne, Edinburgh, regional Australia and Adelaide as an actor, producer and director. I was also the Festival Director of the Fairfax Festival in North West Victoria, and Executive Producer for Carclew’s ExpressWay Arts. I needed 20 years of experience to launch my business!

When did you launch?

Conundrum Theatre was born in December 2020 in Singapore, but we spent six months preparing. Our first project in July 2021 resulted in a new full length play entitled The Aftertime. Since then we’ve staged I Still Have No Friends by Alby T Grace, and a new play called The Evolution Revolution went on tour in Australia in February. Right now we’re in rehearsals for the show Chaos by Laura Lomas, a project by our new Impact Collective comprised of 12-15 year olds.

Where’s your base here?

Most of the producing work is done from home, but our studio is located at The Yards on the East Coast. This is a fantastic hub of creative, sporting and culinary businesses for the East Coast community. Our studio is a flexible working space and perfect for classes, rehearsals, and visual art activities.

What obstacles did you face as an expat launching a business in SG?

I have no business training at all, so everyday there’s an obstacle! Fortunately, I have amazing advisors and consultants through Expat Consulting. I think engaging experts is a really great way to overcome an issue. It doesn’t mean you’re less good at your job, it means you’re willing to learn to get better at it.

What do you wish someone had told you about running a business?

That you will think about it all the time - even when you sleep. And that sometimes your to-do list will be so long you’ll have to start a second to-do list! Maybe even a third. If I was to do something differently, it would be to study business at the same time as being at drama school.

CLAIRE’S

BUSINESS BOO-BOOS (AND WHAT SHE LEARNT)

I’ve created some classes that haven’t worked out. It made me learn that what might be in demand in Australia or New Zealand isn’t in demand in Singapore. It was disappointing, but I try not to think of things as failures. Art is all about trying something to see if it works. If it does, fantastic, if it doesn’t, try something else

Strategic planning hasn’t been my strongest skill. I’ve tried to launch projects with only a few weeks’ notice, so now I’m learning to think ahead

When I set up the business, I didn’t have the capital to apply for an EP for myself, so I stayed on my DP and got a Letter of Consent instead. Six months later, the rules changed - something that happens in Singapore with little warning. I try to not be defeated now when the rules change hello@whataconundrum.com | whataconundrum.com | facebook.com/ conundrum.theatre | instagram.com/conundrum.theatre

Rebecca Forwood is the Owner/ Founder of The Fishwives Pte Ltd. She grew up in Hong Kong, went to school in Melbourne and moved to Singapore in 2000, where lives with her husband Will and children Chloe, Millie and Louis.

Tell us about The Fishwives …

It’s a gourmet/fine food business importing the best quality Australian and New Zealand food into Singapore. It’s like a gourmet supermarket where you can buy fresh meat, seafood, artisan cheeses, pastas and lots more. My ethos is clean and green, and no nasties. I won’t sell products that contain chemicals, antibiotics or hormones.

When did you launch?

I come from a very foodie family. My mother and aunt started importing NZ King Salmon into Hong Kong in the early 90s and I took over when they left in the late 90s. When I moved to Singapore it was very hard to buy fresh Australian and NZ produce, so I extended the business from HK into Singapore and started importing salmon every month. Over the years I added other products such as meat and white fish. I went from bringing in monthly shipments to opening a bricks and mortar shop in 2011.

Where do you operate from?

I started with a very small shop in Cluny Court and within nine months moved two shops down into a bigger space. The shop is open seven days a week, however, I either work from home or at our Warehouse on MacTaggart Road. There we have a big cold room, walk-in freezer, dry store area, processing rooms and an office.

What training did you need to launch?

My very first job was in the food industry in Australia working for King Island Dairies. I didn’t have any formal training, just learning on the job through the highs and the lows!

What obstacles did you face while launching the business?

When I started over 20 years ago, I had to get my husband to open the bank account which was a bit strange. Other than that it was fairly straightforward. I’ve found it challenging as a woman in this industry, where it has been predominantly run by men. I’ve had to be the squeaky wheel to get them to take me seriously sometimes, whereas I think men who’ve started similar businesses to mine haven’t had this issue.

What do you most love about being an independent business owner?

It’s really tough, but very satisfying. Looking at what I’ve built and knowing that I have played a part in the way the food landscape has changed in Singapore is quite rewarding.

REBECCA’S BUSINESS BOO-BOOS (AND WHAT SHE LEARNT)

Not doing reference and background checks before hiring senior staff is not a good idea! Always get three references

Not checking that new products had full export clearance before shipping them to Singapore was an issue. I only did it once, but it cost me a lot and I learnt my lesson!

I’ve always been very trusting of people, but it’s important to listen to your gut. When you start growing, everyone has an expert opinion on what you should and shouldn’t do. Because I didn’t have any formal retail training, in the beginning I didn’t trust my instincts as much as I should have

When Janel Briggs moved from Melbourne to Singapore last year, she spent her first few months noticing common themes throughout the conversations she was having with other expat women. Pandemic burnout, overwhelm from moving to Asia without a support network, and anxiety arising from changes in MOM work passes were reoccuring topics.

As a result of the above, one issue became prominent. “So many women who had moved for their partner’s career were suffering from an identity loss, leaving them with too much time to ‘think’ and worry about finances and the future, “ Janel says. “Although very grateful to be in Singapore for the expat experience, frustrations were felt around being unable to work and the fact they’d put their life and career on hold to support their other half.”

As a Certified NLP and TimeLine Therapy Practitioner, Mindset Coach and Founder of Thrive Mindset Coaching, Janel decided to transfer her Australian business to the Lion City to provide help and support to those struggling with stress, anxiety, and the ever-growing concept of ‘Imposter Syndrome’.

New life phase

A loss of identity can happen at any time and does not relate to age or gender. Experts reveal that it can be triggered when a person enters a new phase in life that makes them question their basic understanding of self. Major events such as changing careers, becoming a parent, ending a long-term relationship or moving to a new place can all be a catalyst for those uncomfortable feelings where you just feel a bit, well, off. Research shows that relocation is the third most stressful life event possible. On top of this, according to an InterNations survey, it’s the partner of the expat with the job who tends to be more susceptible to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety and who is negatively affected by the move. Typically, this is because they:

Have given up more for the move and find that they miss their personal support network (63%)

Have struggled with forfeiting their previous career (60%)

Dislike being financially dependent on their partner (65%)

Experience their partner always working long hours in their job (52%) Are often expected to organise all practical aspects of moving and living abroad (51%)

“In the beginning, the expat partner tends to focus on everyone else’s happiness and getting the family settled is the priority,” explains Janel. “Once the transition is complete and all the tasks done, questions can begin to arise: ‘What do I do now? What is my purpose here? Where do I fit in? Who am I?’ Feelings of resentment, frustration, sadness and hopelessness can set in.”

Shift your mindset

So, what to do? Janel suggests that the first step is to begin to shift your mindset to see this journey, or phase of your life, as an opportunity for personal growth, development and expansion. Here’s her tips on how:

1

Choose acceptance

Finding a place of acceptance for the circumstances you’re in right now is key. Remember that if your mind is too far in the past remembering the things you don’t have, you will continue to feel stuck. If your mind is too far in the future, you’ll continue to feel anxious by the uncertainty. Both thought processes make it harder to find happiness and be in the present moment. Do note that acceptance doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to surrender or like the situation, but having a willingness to accept your circumstances will release resistance in the mind that creates stress.

2

Create routine

Routines serve as an anchor. Predictable, repetitive routines are calming and help reduce stress and anxiety. Formulating a weekly schedule can help you feel more motivated, organised and productive. How you begin and end your day matters. Are you feeding your mind with positive

Signs you might be missing

● A lack of self-belief

● Questioning value and worth (who am I without this job, role, title?)

● Feeling lost without a sense of direction (what is my purpose?)

● Disconnected to personal values (what is most important to me now?)

● Increased feelings of insecurity, fear, and limiting beliefs (am I good enough, am I capable?)

● Anxious, unsettled and worrying about the future (what happens next, am I running out of time?)

● Difficulty making decisions and second-guessing yourself information and thoughts when you wake up? Are you feeding your body with nourishing food and movement during the day? Are you getting enough sleep?

3

Embrace exploration

Use this time to discover more about who you are:

What is something you haven’t done for a while that you used to love doing?

What is something you’ve always wanted to learn about or study?

Is there a gap in your skillset you could focus on filling right now?

Is there a hobby or sport you have wanted to try but never got around to?

What is something you enjoy reading about, or could talk about for hours?

What brings you joy?

4 Connect

Recognise that you’re not alone with your feelings. It can feel daunting to build interpersonal relationships in a new country but connecting with others and sharing your emotions can be very healing.

5 Catch self-doubt

When negative or unhelpful thoughts creep into your mind, questioning your value or worth, practice catching the thought before it spirals. Understand that not every thought you think is factual, and feelings are not facts. The mind has a protection mechanism that wants to keep you safe. Instead of believing and listening to unkind selfdoubt, call it out by asking, “Where is the evidence to support this?” or “What is causing me to feel this way?”

6 Reframe your language

The words we choose have a positive or negative effect on our mindset. If you believe it’s hard and say to yourself “This is hard, I hate this, I don’t want this” then it will no doubt be hard. If you use more empowering words such as “I can do this, I can overcome this challenge” the mind will be open to change and all the possibilities.

Find out more about Janel’s work at janelbriggs.com janelbriggs_thrive janelbriggsthrive