Serial entrepreneur and author, Simran Mohinani created Mohlia to fill the gap of infinity flowers in the luxury gifting space in Hong Kong.
We love entrepreneurs and small business owners at Honeycombers, which is why we’ve created Launchpad, a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support, and community. It is a privilege and pleasure to learn from so many talented and inspiring folks, so we’ve decided to share the love by interviewing some of the lovely Launchpad members. Looking for inspiration? Check out how Simran Mohinani, Founder of Mohlia, gets it done!
How I get it done: Simran Mohinani
What is your backstory and why did you decide to launch your business?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial backbone. After two successful business ventures and publishing three books, I decided to start Mohlia after returning home from my senior year of college suddenly and unexpectedly due to COVID-19. I was in Boston and had only about two months of college left to go, but I was woken up one morning by a call from my parents, saying that they’d booked me a flight and I needed to start packing to leave for the airport. It was then I realised my apartment was filled with beautiful infinity flowers that were so significant, beautiful, and expensive; leaving them behind felt like abandoning something as valuable as jewellery.
After coming home to Hong Kong, I felt my space craved these flowers, so I went online looking to buy some. Sadly, I couldn’t find anything that was affordable yet elegant, sustainable, and globally available. This made the lightbulb go off in my head: I’d bring these products to Asia. Now, we’ve been in business for two years and have become a hub for luxury gifting. Thanks to both new and loyal clients, we’ve been noticed by publications and have collaborated with renowned enterprises like Swarovski. We’ve also hosted two successful pop-ups in K11 Musea and on Hollywood Road.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If I could, I’d go back and correct some of the logistical mistakes I made when starting my business – though of course, then, I wouldn’t be as motivated or resilient as I am now. I’d tell myself to always be humble, appreciative, and grateful for the amount of support that I have in my life. I’d also remind myself to just enjoy the process more and learn to express my stress better.
How do you deal with self-doubt and criticism?
At the end of the day, only your own opinion of yourself matters. If someone says that you are 6′ tall when you’re actually 6’2, would you take their criticism as face value, or deny their voice as right because you know the facts? My best advice is to listen to your inner voice and to only value the thoughts of those who only want to see you succeed, like your family, closest friends, and most loyal team members.
How do you keep stress levels low?
Find your happy place and recreate it as a feeling. My happy place is Disneyland, so in order to recreate the same feelings that I have when I’m there, I try to take little “portable versions” of Disney with me always: when I’m creating, when I’m daydreaming, learning new things, exploring schools of thought, walking my dog… Furthermore, it’s important to learn how to manage your stress early on in your career, as stress is something inevitable and can manifest in physical and emotional ways if it isn’t subdued effectively.
How I get it done with Simran Mohinani: Rapid fire
Your typical morning? I wake up and meditate, so that I can reflect on my thoughts and organise them to start the day. After getting in touch with my team, I get ready, have breakfast with my family, then walk my dog before heading to the office.
On staying motivated and energised: Walking everyday and training at the gym keeps me feeling sharp and ready to take on the day. Having goals, setting to-do lists, researching tastes and trends for me to design or alter my business plans all help me appreciate and fall in love with my business all over again!
On winding down in the evening: I love watching TV or reading a good book to wind down. Sometimes, I treat myself to extra long showers or bubble baths. Weeknights are also a good time for me to catch up with loved ones and spend ample time with my family. I also like going on walks, drives, or just chilling at home. I treasure this period as an important reset for myself, in preparation for whatever the next day or week will bring.
Find out more about Mohlia and get in touch with Simran Mohinani on LinkedIn.
Launchpad is a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It is designed to make the entrepreneurial journey not only easier, and more successful, but also a whole lot more fun. We offer almost daily activities for members to connect, along with weekly masterclasses, member networking roulette, small-business mentoring and media profiles on Honeycombers. Check it out and join us!
