Sharing my business journey
My Journey: Empowering Entrepreneurs Through Marketing and Movement
It’s been 20 years since I first stepped into the dynamic world of events and promotions marketing. Back then, I was immersed in the fast-paced agency life in Singapore, working with major IT and consumer brands like Hewlett Packard, Motorola, and Adobe. Those early days were a fantastic learning ground, laying the foundation for my entrepreneurial spirit.
In my early twenties, that spirit led me to co-found a boutique marketing company in Singapore. We thrived on creating impactful branding stands, exhibition booths, and promotional events for a diverse range of clients. However, after a year of the exhilarating rollercoaster of business ownership, I recognized my need for broader international marketing exposure. When my business partner, facing greater financial responsibilities, sought the security of employment, I understood and decided to return to the corporate world myself.
Soon after, at the age of 24, I was headhunted by Singapore Technologies Electronics, a forward-thinking manufacturing company focused on innovation and science. As a Marketing Executive there, I was responsible for marketing their satellite and sensor products to over 60 countries, managing a lean marketing budget of under half a million. This role truly ignited my passion for digital marketing. With limited resources for international shows and exhibitions, I had to find cost-effective ways to elevate our business and product brand position online. From 2007 onwards, I dove deep into the world of SEO, Google Adwords, and Analytics, recognizing their immense power.
Life took an unexpected turn in 2008 when I moved to New Plymouth, New Zealand. Arriving without any established network, friends, family, or a job was an experience in self-belief and commitment. My first opportunity came unexpectedly at Contours New Plymouth, an all-women’s gym. I stepped in to cover the 6 am morning workout and dance class for a holidaying instructor named Judy.
That hour of work each day left me a lot of time and no other paid work. For the next six months, I poured my energy into creating my first blog website, launching an Asian Food Network to share my home cooking and recipe experiments. While the Google AdSense provided a small income, I felt isolated and seeked social connection.
I then reflected on my other passions and skills – particularly dance, which I had enjoyed part-time in Singapore, drawn to Oriental, Middle Eastern, and world music. My brief stint at the ladies’ gym reignited a desire to connect women in my community with their bodies, minds, and spirits. I joined an existing Tribal Bellydance class and soon felt compelled to share what I had learned. This led to the founding of 5th Element Dance with two others.
I observed that within the dance community, there was often a focus on competition, akin to ballet with its examinations and grades. In contrast, in Eastern cultures, dance is a powerful form of expression and freedom – a way to express joy and love, offering respite from life’s challenges. This became the core philosophy of 5th Element Dance: to build a community of like-minded women who could dance and express themselves authentically.
Shortly after, a local TOM magazine published an article introducing me and inviting expressions of interest for belly dance classes, a small group of seven women from diverse backgrounds gathered at the Oakura Board Riders club in August 2008. As I began to share the art of belly dancing through music and rhythm, I emphasised the importance of connecting within – being present physically, mentally, and spiritually. Little did I know the profound healing and empowering benefits this would bring to all of us. We celebrated the freedom to dance and movement as wellness, fun and fitness in a safe and nurturing space.. Fast forward sixteen years, we have a dance community of sisters we have blossomed into a vibrant, multi-ethnic community of women who come together weekly to nurture this shared passion and support each other’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being through the captivating rhythms of world music and dance.
My journey into becoming a Marketing Trainer began in 2009 when I was offered a contract tutor role at the local polytechnic, WITT, teaching ‘Fundamentals of Marketing.’ After another six months of job searching, I accepted the position of Small Business Accounts Manager at Orb Communications, the local telecommunications distributor for the main Telco provider in New Zealand.
While I enjoyed the opportunity to connect with business owners, update them on technology, and renew their contracts, the internal environment was challenging. There was a strong emphasis on individual sales, fostering competition rather than collaboration. When I successfully onboarded a significant corporate client, it was removed from my portfolio because I was designated to serve only small businesses. This experience led me to leave and pursue independent contracting roles in supervision and marketing.
In 2014, the entrepreneurial bug bit me again, and I founded Revive Me Marketing. I focused on networking, creating and updating websites, branding, and content, steadily growing my client base.
My approach to Digital Marketing has evolved into one of partnership and accountability with my clients. I found myself increasingly drawn to clients who shared similar values, moving away from chasing those who didn’t align. I’m now consciously defining how I want our business relationships to function, embracing a positive flow built on the 3Cs: Creativity, clear communication, and consistent cash flow in our contracts.
Clients who lack responsibility, require constant follow-up, and are late with payments create unnecessary friction. I’ve learned to step back from these draining dynamics, while still respecting that everyone faces personal challenges that can impact their business. When these challenges – whether emotional, physical, or spiritual – arise, I aim to offer support by connecting them with individuals and businesses that can potentially help them overcome these “abundance blockers,” as I believe they often manifest as financial difficulties. It’s also crucial to examine our individual relationships with time and money.
My personal entrepreneurial goal from 2019 onwards is deeply rooted in a desire for positive impact.
Guided by the spirit of my business, I focus on my sphere of influence, living out our passion and purpose to benefit our communities, people’s wellness, spiritual fitness, cultural harmony, and the peace of our planet.
Yes, we all crave freedom. For me, that freedom lies in choosing to consume just enough, to give more and make a tangible difference by supporting positive change-makers and innovations that contribute to the greater good.
My ongoing journey involves measuring my impact and building a better business so that I can amplify my positive influence.
The key for all of us is to remain positive and continue nurturing the spirit of our businesses with balance.
To conclude this reflection on my business journal, I’d like to share a powerful quote from one of my clients, Annie Evans, co-founder of Rock-it Boards: “The most important thing is how much we have loved.”
A testimonial – written or a video – brings social proof onto your digital media channels and boosts the credibility of your brand with client endorsements.
