To this day, I still question myself from time to time: where did I get the courage to set forth on this journey? I remember very clearly that I never told anybody of my intention, confided in anybody for advice, nor sought feedback and assistance. Everything seemed to happen very quickly and quietly.
It sounded almost impulsive and rushed. However, I didn’t feel any of that then, nor do I now looking back. I believe it’s because of one very important element – focus. By not telling anybody of my intention or even reaching out to anybody for advice and assistance, I avoided getting distracted and second-guessing my decision. I guess I was already very certain of the decision I’d made, leaving little room for any doubts.
True focus isn’t found in the noise of consensus—it’s discovered in the quiet certainty of conviction.
Building the Foundation One Thought At A Time
This sense of focus allowed me to bury myself in countless hours of research and reading about setting up my company. It went right down to the basics: creating the company’s mission and vision, defining its values and principles, and drafting a business plan that included the target audience, marketing strategy, and short, mid, to long-term plans for the company. I just wanted to do it right, without skipping any steps as much as I could. My desire not to be seen as a freelancer was what compelled me to push myself as far and hard as I did then. This was also the reason why I decided to set up a company officially, on my own, without any lawyers or consultants. It was then that I discovered setting up a company in Singapore was not really that difficult at all.
Defining Success on My Own Terms
Interestingly, while I did not want to be seen as a freelancer, I also did not want to acknowledge myself as an entrepreneur. I just wanted to do what I love and do best, and share what I’ve learned from my experiences with the people and companies who would benefit the most from me. I took about a month after leaving my previous company to prepare for a journey that would change my life forever.
Sometimes the greatest act of self-belief is choosing not to seek validation, but to trust the clarity you’ve already found within.
The System That Sustained Me
Throughout the entire month, I created a system and daily routine accounting for every minute and hour of every task I needed to do, ensuring my time was not wasted. This included taking the first train for an hour-long ride to and from the gym, planning daily meals, running errands in town, borrowing books from the library or browsing books at Basheer Bookstore—if not Page One at Kinokuniya—before heading back to continue with a list of tasks to be done before the launch of the company. As an avid runner, running was also part of my routine on days I didn’t go to the gym. The system I created two decades ago continues to this day, albeit with some minor alterations in light of the times.
The Solitude of the Path
Aside from the occasional social gatherings, the early start of my journey had generally been a low-key and quiet one. Looking back, even when I had a couple of designers and staff working with me, that feeling and sense of loneliness never seemed to escape me from time to time. Flashback to a time walking down Raffles Place in the opposite direction from the crowd. We may share the same space, but definitely not of the mind.
The People Who Made It Meaningful
I have been fortunate enough to have met many individuals and companies that have put their faith in me, whether as a client, colleague, partner, or vendor. They helped push me forward, broadened my perspectives, taught me from my mistakes, humbled me through their association, and made the things I do more meaningful. I believe that’s what our lives should be—bringing meaning to others through the things we do.
Success isn’t measured by the size of your impact, but by the depth of meaning you bring to those you touch.
A Fulfilling Path
The path I have chosen may be a lonely one, but it’s without a doubt a fulfilling one. I may not have impacted a great number of people like some of my peers have, but I’m happy to affect those who go unnoticed and applaud their journey and successes, minus the champagne and confetti.
