Entrepreneurs tell us about their female business idols and why they love them.
We love a good story about amazing women who build empires from the ground up, empowering others and influencing fellow ladies around the world with their remarkable journeys. Creating a thriving business is no small feat, which is why we’re celebrating the triumphs of these trailblazing female entrepreneurs who are outstanding in their fields. Business owners in Singapore and beyond tell us who they look to for inspiration…
Female entrepreneurs who inspire us
1. Rhonda Wong, CEO of Ohmyhome
“I’m an avid fan of entrepreneur Rhonda Wong, who stepped out of her comfort zone to co-launch Ohmyhome, a Nasdaq-listed Singapore-based prop-tech platform that aims to make housing transactions simple, fast, and affordable. Ohmyhome stands as a comprehensive housing solution, encompassing housing agents, mortgage advisory, legal conveyancing, and home renovations.
Clients not only have the privilege of working with a world-class team of agents across Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, but they also benefit from the option to transact their properties through the innovative DIY feature at highly competitive rates. Ohmyhome, under Rhonda’s visionary leadership, is steering the course toward unparalleled success in the ever-evolving landscape of real estate technology.”
– Aisha Ashraf Khawaja, 34, founder of Aisha Ashraf Interiors
2. Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx
“She’s my inspiration! Everything about her journey is very unconventional and a real inspiration that ‘if you want, you can’.”
– Giulia Cian Seren, 32, founder of Girls Who Web
“When I came across Sarah Blakley‘s story of how she started Spanx, it inspired and resonated with me. Her brand and success came from a passion for wanting to put something better into the world – not for money, fame or anything else. That remained her compass. Unlike many companies today, she’s still self-funded, doesn’t produce products for the sake of expansion, and resisted paid marketing for many years. What her story taught me is that success can come from hard work, a passion for what you do, and believing in yourself.”
– Victoria Chuard, 34, founder of Just Peachy
3. Roshni Mahtani Cheung, founder and Group CEO of The Parentinc
“Her journey resonates deeply with me as I embark on building my startup, Nimbu. Her unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, evident in the success of The Parentinc’s ventures, fuels my aspirations. Roshni‘s fearless approach to breaking glass ceilings encourages me to dream big, unapologetically pursue my passions, and embrace resilience.
Her dedication to empowering women through the Female Founders Network strikes a chord with my mission for Nimbu. As I navigate the entrepreneurial landscape, Roshni’s story serves as a guiding light, reminding me that with determination, I too can carve a meaningful path and leave a lasting impact.”
– Kriti Gupta, 36, founder & CEO of Nimbu
4. Melanie Perkins, founder and CEO of Canva
“She serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs like myself. Her transformative impact on the social media industry is undeniable, as she turned a simple design tool into a global powerhouse. Melanie‘s tenacity and innovative spirit have propelled Canva to unprecedented heights and reshaped the way we approach graphic design.
Her journey underscores the importance of perseverance, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of one’s vision. She’s a trailblazer whose success resonates, offering a compelling example of how a female entrepreneur can lead groundbreaking change in a male-dominated tech landscape.”
– Adelphia Lim, 30, founder of For The Love of Socials
5. Marie Forleo, author of Everything is Figureoutable
“It’s hard to choose just one female business idol! If I had to choose one it would be Marie. Not that I know her personally but her phrase, “Everything is figureoutable” helped me through many challenges in my time as a leader. It leads to the need for creative solutions to challenges and the thought that many discussions are negotiations. If you can’t work something out with one person, that doesn’t mean it won’t work with the next. Also, if something doesn’t work out, the universe has something better for you.”
– Puja Surtani, 36, director of Eastern Scent
6. Falguni Nayar, founder and CEO of Nykaa
“She is my beacon of inspiration as a fellow mother and entrepreneur. Her journey, leaving a thriving career at 50 to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams while raising her kids, resonates deeply with me.
It’s a reminder that our life paths are unique, and there’s no fixed timeline for success. What truly moves me is her ability to navigate motherhood and business ownership with grace and determination. As a mother juggling two businesses and a child, witnessing her triumphs fuels my ambitions. Falguni‘s story reminds me that with perseverance and passion, anything is achievable, regardless of the challenges we face.”
– Ananya Pandit, 34, owner and photographer at Eat Crave Grub
7. Kristina Karlsson, founder of Kikki.K and Dream Life
“As a fellow Swede abroad and stationery lover, I was a big fan of the Kikki.K brand. But I’m even more inspired by how Kristina is rebuilding and reinventing her business following a major setback. With a mission to get 101 million people to chase their dreams, I love the ambitious, generous and positive approach she takes. Her mantra of ‘What would you do if you knew you wouldn’t fail?’ encouraged me to quit corporate life and pursue my big ideas.”
– Helena Gilmour, 41, founder of Studs+Stones and The Place
So, who’s your inspirational business idol?