Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and your experience. Specify any relevant details in your upbringing that contributed to developing your social business idea later on.
I come from a humble family in Malaysia, but now I spend my time in Singapore. Growing up I have always been drawn to natural landscapes, ecology and ecosystems, and the evolution of all the beautiful nature around us. Malaysia is a stunning tropical country with rainforests and islands.
15 was a pivotal age for me. I read a book called The Sixth Extinction and learned about the Anthropocene and the devastating effects on the beautiful nature I adore due to human actions. I felt pain and anxiety and wanted to do something that maximizes positive impact on the environment in my life. That same year I participated in an Entrepreneurship bootcamp, and that was when I learned how innovation can potentially be a tool to disrupt “Business As Usual” and give nature a fighting chance.
Being in the startup ecosystem space for years, there are many fields that pique my interest to create impact in, e.g. food and agri tech, sustainable fashion, and any circular, trash-to-treasure solutions. But eventually, I find myself pondering over the devastation of one hobby I love – traveling.
Now, at this point, traveling has become a means for me to create memories instead of purchasing material goods – in a bid to maintain minimal waste. However, its carbon emissions and local devastations seriously contradict my passion for the environment. The deep conflict between these two passions of mine had to be resolved. In one of my travels in Malaysia, it also dawned on me that conventional tourism development is going to destroy nature and culture, causing many unwanted changes that do not benefit the locals.
There is a need for more innovative ways to create systemic changes. And that is Regenerative Tourism.
What is the main challenge you want to solve?
Conserving natural ecosystems and dying cultures in local communities by democratizing climate finance to IPLCs.
How did you first hear about the social business concept? When did you realize you were leading a social business?
When I started working on it with Shuen, my cofounder. She had begun regenerative tourism research before I did, but we took the time to consolidate the tenets we wanted to uphold in our methodology.
What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur? And the least?
I enjoy the challenges that come to me every day. Yes, they are stressful, but they engage me mentally and intellectually every single day. As a result, every day is different and full of critical thinking. I meet so many different people and get to learn life lessons in the most practical ways and through stories.
The least enjoyable process would be the more mundane things that entrepreneurs cannot run away from, such as admin or legal work. But they are part and parcel of it, and I believe, though, in a less enjoyable manner, I am still growing and learning the ropes of our world.
What is the most important lesson you learned in your journey as a social entrepreneur so far?
Accepting my flaws, and shortcomings, is the first step to becoming better.
How did you hear about the Y&Y Fellowship Program?
UNDP.
What motivated you to apply?
The ethos of YnY is amazing. I learned about Prof Yunus and microfinancing in a course when I was studying Social Innovation in college. But I did not know about this program back then. I am motivated by clever innovations that empower the vulnerable, but in a largely capitalistic society, it is hard to find people who understand and truly support what I do. I hoped to find mentors and fellows who are also on the same track and believe that our ‘crazy’ will pay off and that we can be crazy, but not alone in this journey.
How has your journey as a Y&Y Fellow been so far?
It has been splendid. I feel heard and the fellowship program takes our comments and needs seriously. The program sets a great example for social innovators and has also helped me shape perspectives by talking to a diverse community of innovators and mentors. I learned more about myself every session, and I am truly grateful for this opportunity.
Why is it important to have the support of a mentor?
Thinking back to the first entrepreneur I knew (from the entrepreneurship boot camp when I was 15), the advice he gave me was “to find a mentor”. At that impressionable age, I hold that dearly. Having gone through many lessons in life the hard way, I see mentorships as kind of a way to stop learning things the hard way, and fast-tracking success.
But more importantly, it is a beautiful relationship to have when it’s done right. A mentor-mentee relationship is so great because it is about giving back and paying it forward.
I never had the support I needed to jump into entrepreneurship as a young girl back then. 8 years on, I have since signed up to be a mentor at my high school to pay it forward to young students who would like to enter the entrepreneurial space. As I continue to mature and learn from my mentors, I hope to play the same role to younger minds out there, as well. To lend a helping hand and listening ear.
What advice would you give to a young person who is starting a social business?
Find a mentor.
What advice would you give to someone considering applying to the Y&Y Fellowship Program?
Come in with an open mind and humility to learn.
