Tell us a bit about your mother and about her profession. What was she doing before she started out on her own?
I was about 5 when my mom started a cargo transport business between Singapore and Malaysia. Before that she was looking after me full time.
When did she start her company? Where? And what motivated her to start it? What was her initial investment?
The company was started in 1993 in Singapore. Mainly, because she was a single parent, needed income and to look after me as well. Running her own business gave her the flexibility of time.
What has been her achievements, accolades and upturns in her career?
Maintaining good relationships with the old clients and bringing in new clients.
Any downturns, Unusual circumstances, hardships, she had to face in her profession/business?
In mid 2004, the cargo business faced a sharp decline and my mom decided to give up the business altogether.
How did she balance her personal and professional life? How many kids did she have? What were her usual activities with them?
I remembered my mom would fetch me to and from school and during office hours, she would transfer the office phone line to her mobile phone so as to answer calls promptly. I am her only child. She spent a lot of time together with me. She always brought me on holidays. We used to go out a lot – to the library, walking in the parks, watching television together, chatting in the car, trying new food, grocery shopping and sometimes shopping centers. She became more of a friend than a parent, as I grew older.
How do she spend her “Alone” time. Any hobbies, activities, groups she was associated with.
She would have her own quiet time at home, read the bible and spend time with the Lord or play Sudoku and update herself with the news. She read a lot too; keeping her mind active was a great priority. Mostly, she is involved in church activities and would meet up with her church, secondary school and university friends whom she was very close with.
Dis she receive understanding from her family as a business woman? If not, how did she tackle such situations.
Yes, her 3rd brother and 5th sister were very supportive of her. In fact, my 3rd uncle went into Malaysia to handle the physical side of the business while my mother handled the PR and administrative work from Singapore.
What do you have in the pipeline for her company's future development?
After my mom left the transport business, she took over running a mini-mart at a condominium. It was a small business but there was something on her hands for her to do.
Did she always know that she would be doing what she was doing today?
She always told me that whatever I do, it is best to start my own business and to work for myself, as it is restrictive to work for other people. I believe that if she were still alive today, she would have found something else to do. Probably sandwich making or organizing events for others.