Who are you and what’s important to you?
I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, and an entrepreneur. What’s important to me is to surround myself with those I love who make me a better person, who challenge me, question me, and continually help me learn and grow.
Who has inspired you in life?
My children always inspire me to think about the larger picture. Whether it be racism, sexism, or just simply being aware of the privilege that they hold, these are just some of the things that I want my daughters to understand and know about.
What would you say is your greatest achievement?
I co-founded a unicorn in New York City. But I would say reinventing myself has been my greatest achievement. From starting a non-profit in SF to a tech start-up in NY to starting a fashion company and opening brick and mortar shops here in SG, you never know where life will take you and the greatest thing you can do is be open to change.
What advice would you give to a young woman who’s just starting out in life?
Breathe, believe in yourself, and just take it one step at a time. Look around you, the folks next to you are also faking it until they make it – so although you may sometimes feel like it, you’re never alone.
What do you wish for girls and women around the world?
To get more women and girls in positions of power and have their voices and opinions heard. For most of my career, I was the only woman in the room. My wish would be that for my daughters and all the other little girls out there, is that they no longer become the token person of color in a board room nor the token woman.
Thank you, Iris!
