Success isn’t one-size-fits-all. See how these entrepreneurs in Singapore define it in ways that are personal, powerful, and refreshingly honest.
In Singapore’s high-achieving culture, these entrepreneurs are redefining being successful on their terms. From building purpose-led brands to choosing mental health over burnout, their stories show that success isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s personal, evolving, and deeply rooted in values. Here’s how they define it.
What success looks like to entrepreneurs in Singapore
Freedom over hustle
“In Singapore, success is often defined by speed and structure — but to me, it’s the freedom to design a life and business that feels aligned. Singapore’s fast pace shaped my discipline, but its global spirit and interconnectivity inspired me to build a purpose-driven, remote brand and web design studio that serves local and international clients.
Working across cultures and cities has deepened my understanding of diverse audiences, allowing me to create websites that feel strategic and culturally attuned. To me, success isn’t about chasing more. It’s about choosing what truly matters, designing with purpose, and honouring the freedom to live and work with intention.”
– Tan Ying Hui, founder of Yings Creative Lab
Building sustainability in a city that never stops
“Success in Singapore means keeping pace with its energy, innovation, and entrepreneurial flair. It may be a small country, but with constant change and high expectations, it’s easy to feel lost if you don’t stay grounded. The culture is driven, efficient, and ever-evolving. It has shaped how I work and what I value.
At Retykle, we make buying and reselling kids’ fashion simple and sustainable – perfect for busy parents in a fast-moving city. I may not have reached every milestone, but I’m proud to be growing something meaningful in a place that inspires purpose, progress, and possibility.”
– Daman Issar, Singapore country head at Retykle
Creating connections through memorable events
“To me, success means building a trusted brand that creates meaningful connections through impactful events. In Singapore’s fast-paced and competitive landscape, success also means being adaptable and consistently delivering excellence.
At TheMeetUpSG, we focus on curating memorable experiences through dinner and dance events, conferences, and overseas retreats. While I’m proud of our growth, I see success as an ongoing journey where we evolve, innovate, and elevate every client experience.”
– Rosini Naidu, founder and CEO of TheMeetUpSG
Raising conscious consumers, one purchase at a time
“Success means driving meaningful change, where families in Singapore consciously choose sustainable, ethical products over fast fashion. Singapore’s evolved economy and discerning consumers create fertile ground, yet there’s still space for deeper awareness. I believe that if educated well, Singaporeans will embrace better choices for their families and the planet. That belief fuels my journey with The PureStitch.
Have I achieved success? Not yet. We’ve made inroads with a growing conscious community, but there’s a long road ahead. We’re actively using storytelling, education, and social media to shift mindsets and lead a more thoughtful, responsible movement with our consumer interactions, whether physical or digital.”
– Amrita Shrivastava, founder of The PureStitch
It’s community-led and transformative
“The measure of success in my business has four clear metrics: the level of engagement and retention in my communities, a steady stream of word of mouth recommendations, repeat engagements from my corporate clients, and level of measurable impact – through goodwill initiatives and transformation in my clients’ lives.
While my client base is international, being based in Singapore has advantages. The culture lends itself well to my spiritual offerings as there’s a general acceptance of energy work and spirituality, although varied in frameworks and approaches. This creates an openness with new clients to try new things and experiment. I’m constantly asking my clients and communities what areas they’d like to explore, and refining my content creation to be more community-led.”
– Danielle Van de Velde, founder of D&D Consultancy
Growth with purpose, not burnout
“Success is a balance of financial freedom – abundance and the ability to live life on my own terms – and continuous personal growth. It’s not about conforming to society’s traditional benchmarks, especially in Singapore, but about living authentically and aligning my life with my values.
I’ve already achieved this success, as I’m consistently focused on my growth and fulfilment, striving to be the best version of myself. As a trauma-informed coach, I empower high-achieving women to break through internal barriers, overcome burnout, and step into self-leadership. If I can positively impact just one person’s life, that’s success.”
– Sophie Leung, somatic trauma informed coach at Sophie Leung Co
Building a legacy for lasting impact
“In Singapore, success is often defined by stability: earning a degree, securing a well-paying job, and buying property. It’s a structured path, and stepping outside of it can feel daunting.
As an entrepreneur, I define success differently. To me, it’s about building a legacy, making a meaningful impact, and contributing to the growth of the businesses we work with. While I don’t believe I’ve “arrived,” each step brings me closer with every project that drives real results and every client we uplift. In a fast-paced, achievement-driven culture like Singapore’s, choosing to pursue purpose over convention is a form of success.”
– Adelphia Lim, founder of For The Love of Socials
Small but meaningful wins
“I’ve been working for almost three years to finally receive a message from a local client saying, ‘We would like to proceed with the project with your company.’ I’d worked with some international clients before (which may sound more ‘successful’), but this was my first Singaporean one. It’s an essential and first step towards the future.
For me, success is the process of realising your potential – when it starts becoming valuable for others. I can measure success by comparing myself to who I was in the past. Sometimes the pace feels too slow, especially when others showcase their ‘successful success’ through polished images. But the honest truth is, you’re only competing with yourself.”
– Natalia Moskaleva, owner and director of Attitude Design
Heart-led work that leaves room for family
“Success is seeing families walk into Ohana Therapy feeling supported, and walk out feeling empowered. In Singapore’s fast-paced culture, it’s easy to get caught up in constant growth. But as a mum and founder, I’ve learnt that sustainable growth matters more than rapid growth. It’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing what matters, and doing it well. I wouldn’t say I’ve made it, but building a team rooted in heart-led work while still being present for my family feels like success in motion.”
– Wanda Wijaya, director and speech language therapist at Ohana Therapy
Aligning business with evolving personal values
“Success means living in alignment with the values I’ve set for myself. Not according to societal expectations or what others define as valuable, but based on a clear understanding of my priorities.
As someone running a counselling practice, managing a coaching business and being a mum, I’ve learnt that true success isn’t about constant hustle or external markers of achievement. It’s about creating a life and business that reflects what matters most to me. One of those values is time: for my family, clients, and to be present. If I feel balanced, grounded, and content in my professional and personal life, that is success.
But these priorities can shift depending on the chapter of life I’m in. That’s why I believe success requires regular self-reflection. Most importantly, I’ve learnt that real success is not sustainable without physical, emotional, and mental health. To me, success is deeply tied to well-being. It’s being able to do meaningful work, serve others, and live fully without losing myself in the process.”
– Marissa Nasution, counsellor
Building something real with scalable impact
“Success will look different for everybody. For me, it’s about creating meaningful, financially viable, and scalable impact without sacrificing authenticity or autonomy. Singapore is competitive and productivity-driven, which means success is often linked to stability, financial growth, and prestige.
I’ve chosen a more unconventional, values-driven path: building a niche DTC bridal brand that prioritises transparency, affordability, and empowerment over status or conformity. Success is a journey, not a destination. I’ve already built something real from scratch: a brand with hundreds of customers, glowing reviews, and consistent revenue. But I’m not done. I’m still building, learning, and working towards a bigger ecosystem of products, tech tools, and experiences for modern brides.”
– Joy Q. Wang, founder and creative director at Bone and Grey
So, what does success look like to you?
