Amreena Jan & her Passionate blog that she runs!

What’s your story?

Well, I’m a full-time superhero mom, donning my cape by day and my writer’s hat by night. By day, I’m a dedicated Growth Manager, steering the ship of a private organization toward prosperity. I specialize in crafting strategies that foster growth, efficiency, and innovation. But that’s not all! Beyond the boardroom, I don a different hat, that of a skilled blogger. My writing style is characterized by its humor, wit, and an inherent sense of fun. My blog is a testament to this, offering readers an enjoyable escape from the mundane. Furthermore, I’m a Content Strategist, adept at shaping brand identities and crafting compelling narratives. This role involves a delicate dance between strategy and creativity, resulting in a symphony of brand success stories. And then there’s the most epic role of all: Mom. Balancing the chaos of work and life is a rollercoaster I wouldn’t trade for the world. It’s a wild adventure, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

How & Why did you start your company/passion work? 

I am a food engineering graduate with a master’s degree specializing in food nanotechnology. My passion for writing ignited at an early age, when my first poem was published in “THE HINDU” during my grade 2. From there till now, I have been a co-author of a couple of scientific books. This fervor for writing took a new direction as I ventured into the world of blogging, where I poured my 3 a.m. thoughts onto the digital canvas. Gradually, I transformed my passion into a profession because I firmly believe in the adage,

“Love what you do, and do what you love to survive.“

My journey commenced as a content developer and evolved into a content strategist. I also had the privilege of working as a corporate communication specialist in the dynamic landscape of the United Arab Emirates. In addition I wear several hats, including those of a voice-over artist, scriptwriter and a budding artist. Today, I am spreading my wings even further, aiming higher, and assisting brands in their growth journey as a Growth Manager. Throughout this diverse journey, one constant remains – my unwavering love for writing and the art of crafting compelling stories.

 

How do you bring BALANCE to your roles as MOTHER: FOUNDER: SELF? 

Balancing the intricate dance of work and life is like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle on a tightrope. My journey has been an exhilarating adventure, with work as my canvas and family as my guiding star. As a driven professional, I tackle each workday with ambition and innovation, channeling my multifaceted talents into everything I do. But when the clock strikes ‘family time,’ I switch gears with enthusiasm, cherishing the moments with my loved ones. In this ever-evolving journey, I find solace in being resourceful and resilient, constantly seeking creative solutions to navigate life’s twists and turns. It’s a balancing act, no doubt, but it’s one that fuels my passion and allows me to craft stories that inspire and resonate. So, how do I bring balance to my life? By embracing the chaos, cherishing the quiet moments, and finding joy in every step of the adventure. It’s a journey I wouldn’t trade for the world.

 

Any recent accomplishment you would like to share with us? (personal/professional) 

At work- I’m all about teamwork at work, often dubbed ‘Captain Cool’ by colleagues. Approachable and lively, I believe in creating a positive work environment. At home- But when it’s family time, it’s a whole different game – no work distractions allowed. I’m fully present for my loved ones while pursuing my passion. I deliberately took a career break to savor those precious moments with my little ones. I didn’t want them cared for by anyone else; I wanted to be there for their first steps, first words, and all the little joys in between. I deeply admire moms who balance it all, but I was fortunate enough to take a break. I lived those moments and when I was ready, I came back – better and stronger! So mommys don’t fear the career break. Trust the process and get back when you are really ready for it!

What would you like to say to fellow mothers or women thinking of starting a business? 

To my fellow mommys out there, It may seem daunting to juggle parenthood with entrepreneurship, but remember, you’ve already mastered the art of multitasking like a pro. So, why not channel that superpower into creating something remarkable? Starting a business or chasing your dreams is like embarking on an exciting adventure. Sure, there will be challenges along the way, but every twist and turn is an opportunity for growth. And let’s not forget the immense satisfaction that comes from building something of your own. So, put on your ‘Mompreneur’ cape and take that leap of faith. The world needs more of your unique talents and perspectives. Your journey might not always be smooth, but it will undoubtedly be worth it.

What are three words you would use to describe your experience of being a Mother/Founder ? 

Three words to describe my experience as a mother-founder would be: Inspiring, challenging, and rewarding.

Find & Know More about Amreena and her brand! 

Connect with her.

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Website: https://amreenajan.blogspot.com/
Facebook: n/a
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thequirky_dna?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amreena-jan-a06aa4b9/

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

The face behind HaldyPlus Nutrition Pte. Ltd. –  Push Sharma!

What’s your story?

Hi ! I’m Push Sharma and I am the founder & CEO of Haldy. I am a graduate from Columbia University, USA and have lived and worked across 5 countries besides India – where I am originally from. Turmeric is a superfood well known for its host of health benefits, so I wanted to find a way to include Turmeric in my daily routine. But the challenge is that to eat Turmeric in a pill, powder or even a drink form is neither tasty nor convenient. To be honest, it can feel medicinal and it’s hard to build a routine around. So, my goal was to take something that we all routinely eat (i.e Breath Mints) and make a “Better For You” version of the same by adding Turmeric to it, but without any aftertaste of Turmeric. From that vision, the concept of HALDY was born. Haldy Sugarfree Turmeric Mints are a Tasty, Refreshing and Convenient way to Add the Golden Goodness of Turmeric and Boost Your Daily Routine. They come in a premium, beautifully designed, recyclable ‘Patented’ packaging that is sleek and chic. It is smaller than a credit card, which makes it compact, but still fits ~40mints per pack. This happens to be the WORLD’S FIRST of its kind of breath-mints formulation infused with curcumin extract, that is manufactured in a F.D.A. and B.R.C.G.S. certified facility. The ‘X-Factor’ in Haldy is the Curcumin extract. (i.e principal Bioactive substance in Turmeric) – which makes it a ‘Better For You’ choice versus other commercial mints that are available in the market. To be clear though, while the Therapeutic benefits of Turmeric are well documented, with Haldy, we have steered clear of making Therapeutic claims. Our primary purpose is to provide Freshness of breath, in a Convenient way. Our consumers can enjoy Haldy the same way they would their regular mints, knowing that the curcumin extract makes Haldy a ‘Better’ choice. Details of our nutritional information and Ingredients are mentioned on our recyclable PET packaging label. Haldy is a proudly home-grown Singaporean brand. The unique multi-cultural landscape of Singapore offers rich inspiration for innovation. We are very proud to have worked with local talent for the strategy, design and art direction to bring Haldy to life. I welcome you all to Discover Haldy Living ! and to Boost your Daily Routine.


How & Why did you start your company/passion work? 

I started HaldyPlus Nutrition Pte Ltd. in June 2021 in Singapore, in the middle of Covid-19 and I launched ‘Haldy’, on 1st February 2023. It took me 18 months of multiple rounds of consumer trails, product formulation, testing etc. before I could launch the brand. In addition to that, with all the travel restrictions that came due to Covid-19, made it extremely difficult to launch. The consumer insights reaffirmed my belief; ie. to include Turmeric as a part of my daily routine, in a tasty, refreshing and convenient way. I wanted to connect with the consumer by means of story telling. Hence the blend of ancient Ayurveda in a modern format was appealing. I also didn’t want to introduce yet another mint brand but something that offers consumers a lot more. Consumers have been consuming Turmeric in various forms which have been difficult to build a routine around. Turmeric (Cookies, Power, Pill, Capsule, Latte, Gummies) etc. are not only expensive, but are not easy to build a routine, due to the bulky packaging and thus not convenient to carry. Also, the taste of Turmeric can be polarising, thus I had to find a way to make it appealing to the mass market consumers. Given Singapore does not allow consumption of chewing gums, to launch a breath-mint was a perfect fit. The brand name Haldy is a mix of the word Haldi (aka Turmeric in Hindi language) and the word Healthy. Our logo h was inspired by the Turmeric leaf, our mnemonic device (Haldy Lady) was inspired by Indian Mural Art from Kerala with an Indo-Western influence, which gives the brand a modern yet earthy, organic look and feel. Thus with trendy eco-friendly packaging and delicious taste of the product it has been a win for all.

How do you bring BALANCE to your roles as MOTHER: FOUNDER: SELF? 

I am a trailing spouse. My wife works in the corporate world as a Managing Director & VP APAC of a large listed American MNC. We have lived and worked in several countries such as Singapore, India, US, Mainland China including Hong Kong (SAR China). I started my first entrepreneurial venture in 2012, after i quit the corporate world to follow my dream. In the last 11 years, we have lived in 3 countries where we moved due to my wife’s job. It was tough, but I continued to find ways to learn and build my venture. Haldy is my third venture, the last two ventures allowed me to balance work and family while we moved around. I guess I also found balance by doing meditation, yoga and taking small but measured steps towards my overall health and wellness. I’m happy to say that to launch Haldy has been an amazing journey. In your entrepreneurial journey, family always comes first !

 

Any recent accomplishment you would like to share with us? (personal/professional) 

On the professional front: It has been a dream run, since I launched Haldy on 1st February 2023. In April, we won the coveted SME500 Singapore award for 2023. In April 2023 was also invited to exhibit Haldy at ISM Cologne (Germany), which is the World’s Largest Trade Fair for Sweets and Snacks. In June 2023 we got nominated for the Startup of the Year 2023 by FIT Summit, Singapore as the youngest entrant in the category. Straits Times Singapore featured us twice, first in April then in May 2023. In August 2023 we were featured on the cover of one of the oldest manufacturing innovation magazine based in the US. I’m happy to announce that we have just won (September 2023) the prestigious MUSE Design Award 2023 USA, for our innovative packaging, which is a huge recognition for us internationally. Lastly, we have been shortlisted as a finalist for the coveted Gama Global Innovation Award 2023, UK. As you can see, exciting times for us as a young Singapore startup. On the personal front: My 12 year old (author) daughter has qualified for the World Scholars Cup 2023 at Yale University, USA where she will be representing her school and Singapore in November 2023. My wife just won the AmCham Equality Award for 2023, which was awarded to her by the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Mr. Lawrence Wong on 1st September at MBS and her book that she co-authored is an Amazon Best Seller.

What would you like to say to fellow mothers or women thinking of starting a business? 

My advise for women/founders, would be : The sooner you start the better it is. Fail fast, but fall forward. Don’t overthink it and keep it simple at the same time. You will never get it right the first time so start small, be flexible, so you can pivot if required. Seek for advice and make sure you speak to as many people/advisors as you can to gain insights/feedback.

What are three words you would use to describe your experience of being a Mother/Founder ? 

Hardworking. Positive. Solution Minded.

Find & Know More about Push sharma and his brand! 

Connect with him. 

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Website: https://haldyplus.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaldyPlus/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haldyplus
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pnsharma/

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

Who is Deepika from the guilt free delights?

As Deepika says:

I am a mother of two boys ( 5.5 and 7 years old). After the birth of my second son in 2016, I quit a successful career in banking and finance to become a full-time mum. During this time, I also changed my diet to a whole food plant-based diet from a meat based diet and noticed a significant increase in my energy levels and overall well-being. I wanted to do the same for my boys who are very active and require a lot of energy. Finding nutritious plant based products for them was a big challenge especially in a market that is filled with unhealthy and sugary products for kids.

Although I restrained from giving them any sugary or packaged snacks, I realized that their taste palates had to be satisfied as well especially when their friends would offer them sugary treats. Faced with the challenge of providing snacks that were nutrient packed for their growing bodies but at the same time appealing to their taste buds, I spent a lot of time and energy trying to create healthy snacks that are made from natural ingredients and contain no artificial sweeteners.

While talking to my other mum friends, I realized that they too were looking for alternatives to the widely available unhealthy snacks. This realization got me thinking about sharing the snacks approved by my boys with other mums with a hope of providing some help with healthy nutritious snacks for their kids. I started preparing snacks for their kids and through word of mouth for their friends’ kids.

And my business of freshly baked vegan and plant-based bites started!

All the snacks are freshly baked to order. They are hearty, nutrient dense, power packed, made with natural sweeteners and completely plant based. These treats are truly guilt-free so even adults can enjoy them! My husband regularly eats muffins or sugar-free brownies with his afternoon tea and doesn’t have to worry about afternoon snacking issues any more.

My kids would still occasionally eat that candy or enjoy a slice of regular cake but they’ve learnt to limit their consumption of such items and are more aware of the difference between healthy and junk food. I feel that this is a big win not just for now but for their entire life.

My venture is at a very nascent stage and I am new to the world of entrepreneurship. But I truly believe in my goal of educating kids about clean eating habits and showing them that healthy food can be delicious.

Find & Know More about Deepika and her brand

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• Website: 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GuiltfreeDelightssg-106080891716779
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guiltfreedelights.sg/
• Linkedin: 

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Know more about the Movement & Community, click here: The Mother/Founder Movement

Who is Anita G from the Nutribe?

As Anita says:

I am running an online store at Lazada and Shoppee called Nutribe which is into healthy food products like cereal bars, Museli , cookies which are preservative free with no added sugar. I am a mother of two children and had left my 10 years MNC job and followed my husband since 2016 to Poland-Hongkong-Singapore. I have been also an angle investor in several startups in India and Hongkong. It was in Singapore I realised that when my kids go to school everyday the breakfast I use to give them often was sugar loaded or with preservatives and it was that moment for me that I had a thought of creating my own food distribution business and source natural food products unlike those available in market. Being a mother and a founder my experience is quite rich as I get to fulfil on both roles which gives me a sense of purpose. To all my mothers out there who are thinking of starting their own business I would say is if today we take courage to beyond what you see is comfortable only then you will know what you think wasn’t possible is really possible . Be the inspiration you want to be for yourself and that will inspire others.

Find & Know More about Anita and her brand

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• Website: https://www.lazada.sg/shop/nutribe/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASAAHHealthSG
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutribe_singapore/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-gannavarapu-02259235/

Sha is joining us as a Vendor at the Mother/Founder Conference in Singapore May 2023! and shall have some special offers to announce for the day! Join us on May 25th 2023. 

Tickets Available: Click Here

 

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

Who is Shaily Sharda from Escential the Body Tonic?

As Shaily says: 

I have grown up seeing my mother concoct wellness recipes using fresh ingredients straight from her kitchen. I have seen the results and benefits first-hand. This instilled a strong sense of belief that healthy happy skin can be achieved naturally by utilizing pantry staples that are fresh, safe, sustainable and truly results driven! Being consistent is key.

Drawing strength from her to reconnect with my roots and acting on the urge to reduce toxin exposure with low-waste, environment-friendly products, I bid farewell to my corporate career and onboarded a new entrepreneurial journey to simplify bath-skin routine with natural formulations that are made to truly care for your skin and also give back to the planet, each day.

I wish your skin enjoys using our products. Each one has a story, a childhood memory. Let’s begin simplifying bath-skin routines with these natural formulations. Let’s show our children early on to care for their skin and be kind to the environment. Healthy happy skin is a process.”

Balance to me isn’t an everyday equal split. Some days the mother trumps, some days the founder and other times the self! When each part is addressed with honesty and complete dedication of being present in that moment, balance is achieved because the whole feels fulfilled. It’s not easy, takes so much conscious practice and yet there are times when you lose perspective. That is the moment to remind yourself and reset to move on.

Entrepreneurship is a tough & at times lonely yet extremely busy journey. As you navigate the early days, in addition to a solid business plan, you must have an equally amazing support system that will have your back in the most difficult moments. So the mother in you can forge ahead knowing that her world is cared for while she realizes her dreams.

Find & Know More about Shaily and her brand

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• Website: www.escentialthebodytonic.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/escentialthebodytonic
• Instagram: instagram.com/escentialthebodytonic
• Linkedin: n/a

Shaily is joining us as a Vendor at the Mother/Founder Conference in Singapore May 2023! and shall have some special offers to announce for the day! Join us on May 25th 2023. 

Tickets Available: Click Here

 

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

Who is Divya Butani from The Veggie Wifey?

As Divya says:

I’m a former IB business and economics teacher turned vegetarian chef. I started my Instagram account, The Veggie Wifey, when I got married 7 years ago. I documented our struggles as a newly wed couple that had no idea how to cook. My husband worked longer hours than me at that time so I decided to take on that initiative at home.

Every time I cooked something edible, I documented it and posted it. That’s when I started learning more about food photography, recipe development, food writing and how to code because I needed to build my website.

The Veggie Wifey Instagram page was my side passion project. Zero income was generated at that time because it was just for fun. I slowly built a community of like minded people, those who were veg but in meat-eating households. Those who wanted to learn more about easy, veg cooking.

After I had my second baby, it hit me that working these many hours would mean I wouldn’t see my children. Teaching hours are such where I leave at 5:30am and come home by 6:30pm. I’d literally never see them wake up or go to bed during the week. I did not want that. I had to leave my career and really think about how I wanted to build this into a business. An income that would work for me, my new priorities and my family.

While I was breastfeeding late at night, I watched YouTube videos on how to build a website. I joined a few online classes to learn about food photography. I invested in some equipment. It was a work in progress, but I was consistent.

I finally launched my website dedicated to recipes, nutrition and easy meal ideas in 2020, 4 years after I started my IG page. I started making videos and learning about food videography, and marketing. I researched on new recipes, experimented with different foods and really worked on my skills, in between handling postpartum depression, two kids under two, covid, moving homes, etc.

I realised this passion project truly made me happy. If I could monetise from what truly made me happy, It would be the best career switch for me.

By the end of 2022, I signed my first client. That was a very long process, but I finally got them to work with me. Shortly after that, I signed a few more clients that approached me.

I now have a steady stream of income and multiple ways of earning while doing what I absolutely love. My heart and soul goes into the food I make and the recipes I create, more so than anything else because it really is a struggle to dedicate time to my work. My son and daughter require a lot of attention because they are so young, and it is always a balancing act each day.

I only have 4 proper hours alone, in a week to dedicate to my growing business. I always need to strategise and plan in advance what I am going to do in those 4 hours. From recording recipes, to editing the videos, to food photography, to writing articles, writing the captions, making sure all the links work, all the spelling is correct, the grammar works, the SEO is at a decent level, to speaking to my clients, understanding their feedback, and how I can be better, and finding new clients.

It is absolutely overwhelming. However, I know I should not compare myself to others because my situation is different. I have my own stuff going on and comparing other success stories can really get in my head and stop me from achieving my potential.

The best advice I can give to anyone in the same boat is to keep your head down and just keep working on your art. My husband has taught me that. You being the best you can be in your field is something no one can take from you. No matter how fast they reach success. This journey is about long term success not a short term sprint of success. Patience and consistency is gold.

I know my potential and I know where I am going. It may take years, but I am willing to wait to get to where I need to be. My first priority are my children. This is why I made this career switch.

Reminding myself that I am doing this for me and them helps me cope when it gets overwhelming.

Lastly, I want to thank communities like Mother Founder that make me feel less alone on this very challenging journey. It’s always important to learn from others and see how you can be better.

Find & Know More about Divya and her brand

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• Website: www.TheVeggieWifey.com
• Facebook: n/a
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/theveggiewifey
• Linkedin: n/a

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.

 

Who is Anna Lees from HealthywithAnia?

As Anna says: 

I am a foodie, my company ‘HealthyWithAnia’ was born from my love of food and a passion for healthy eating.

I believe that healthy eating is much more than just fitting into ‘skinny jeans’.

With my workshops, nutritional programs and corporate offers, I want to show you that a healthy diet can change the quality of your life. Currently I work with busy, working professionals, helping them to manage a successful career whilst maintaining healthy eating. This all started after attending numerous networking events.

Often when introducing myself, a lot of successful entrepreneurs and managers said they are not ‘into’ healthy eating. This was shocking to me, as it sounded as though people were treating healthy eating as a hobby, almost like collecting stamps. It made me realize that there is an urgent need to raise awareness of the importance of healthy eating among working professionals.

Today, I teach how to increase productivity and effectiveness with diet.

 

Find & Know More about Anna Lees  @healthywithania and her brand

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• Website: www.healthywithania.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthywithAnia
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthywithania/
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/anna-lees-healthywithania 

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Anna is a Member of The Mother/Founder Movement and Community 

She was also part of a Co-Founder Collective in 2022 with 5 other brands. The co-founder Collective is a 6-week close group program that focuses on collectively doing One Task to GET.WORK.DONE.

 

 

As a core part of the membership, she pledges to shine the light and #payitforward to support other community members.

 

Click here If you are interested in knowing more about The Mother/Founder Movement & Community. To join us, click here for Association Membership.