Lilian Ong, Tell us about yourself ?
I married young and was a stay-at home Mom turned Entrepreneur and now Author of Women of Courage, Breaking the Fear Barrier about Ordinary Women with Extraordinary Stories.
I used to struggle with self-doubt and fear, depression and suicidal thoughts but I now coach & mentor women, awakening their courage to live their dreams!
With no prior experience in running a business, no knowledge in the trade, no mentor or network, Â I built a traditional interior decoration business from ground zero and sold it to a designer after 9 years.
I am not tech savvy but I found the support I needed to help me move from offline to online. I refused to be intimidated by technology but to embrace it and leverage on it to build my online presence, to run my online businesses and to build my personal branding through digital & social media marketing.
I am the Founder of Class Living, a social enterprise with the aim to create awareness of the artistic gifts & talents of people with special needs and the underprivileged, providing them an online platform to showcase and market their art pieces.
I am a Community Leader and Public Speaker of Soul Rich Woman, Asia’s leading network for female entrepreneurs connecting over 10,000 women across the region; empowering women to succeed in life, business and health.
I am also the Founder of Connecting Mothers, a closed knitted support group providing encouragement to mothers with young children in the journey of motherhood & spiritual growth.
I suffered from a nagging backache at my lower back for years. After a wakeup call, I took the responsibility to put my health back in order. I went on a 90 days weight management & coaching program and lost 10kg and 16cm off my waistline. After that, I took the courage and ran my 1st 2 Half Marathons at the age of 44 to tear down my limiting beliefs!
I went on to serve as an Fashion Model for Singapore Fashion Runway: Fashion For a Social Cause, befriending people with special needs, chronic diseases and cancer survivors to help them build their confidence through fashion.
I have 2 beautiful teenage children. My son is 18 and my girl 15. Â My husband and I are in a committed relationship for 25 years now and still counting.
How did you get your idea or concept for the business?
It started with the simple intention to help my ex-staff who is a single parent. Her younger son has Down Syndrome and a congenital heart condition but with a talent in painting. I encouraged her to nurture his talent and started working on my website to provide him a platform to showcase and sell his paintings to fund his therapy treatments. I also connected them to an art teacher and explore opportunities for him to expand his talents and built his confidence. He is now a designer of his own fashion label converting his paintings to fashion art & merchandise. I hope to help others by providing them with opportunities to discover their own unique talents through Class Living platform.
As for my online coaching business, it is an extension from my book, Women of Courage, Breaking the Fear Barrier, to inspire and empower women to step out of their comfort zone and live a life a Courage, Purpose and Freedom. Having the experience of getting married young, a strong & lasting marriage for 25 years now, the journey of motherhood & entrepreneurship, I was already coaching and mentoring women personally at a one to one basis. However, if I put all my experiences into bite-size online programs, where most people are practically online most of the time, I could reach out and empower many more women without geographical or time limitations!
What’s your company’s goals?
Class Living aim to create awareness of the artistic gifts & talents of people with special needs and the underprivileged; providing them an online platform to showcase and market their art pieces.
My personal mission is to awaken the courage of women and ignite her power of influence; to inspire and empower women to break their fear barrier and limiting beliefs, to live their dreams and a life of Courage, Purpose and Freedom!
How do you market your business? How are people aware of your business?
Strategic Digital and Social Media Marketing, By word of mouth offline and online.
How do you advertise your business?
Digital and Social media advertising.
What made you choose this type of business?
My target audience is primarily women in Asia. Social media is here to stay and is the future. I come across many mothers of children with special needs and being a mother myself, my heart goes out to them. Having gone through the struggles of self-doubt, fear, depression and suicidal thoughts and the journey of awakening courage, breaking those fear barriers and limiting beliefs, I am able to live a fulfilling and happy life. I want to empower other women, to awaken their courage and ignite their power of influence.
If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
“Focus on your visions and dreams, they dictate your committed actions. Don’t be discouraged by challenges and obstacles, they are your best teacher to be an overcomer and be innovative. Take baby steps, be diligent and consistent. Differentiate yourself and give value like crazy!
Why do your customers select you over your competitors?
Above all else, they TRUST me to think of their interest and I give value like crazy.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Invest in myself, in personal development and seek a mentor or a coach!
How can people connect with you?
Vizaca is a global media company which talks about Startups, New Business Owners, Technology, Global Entrepreneurs and share successful stories.
Our aim is to provide Exposure, Outreach and Connecting them with right audience and promote their businesses worldwide. We are formed by Global Entrepreneur’s who has wide experience in technology and business development. Our aim is to create value for startups and making them recognized to the mass audience.
If you are Entrepreneur, Marketer or Technologist and want us to cover your success story. Please contact us via email ([email protected]) and our media team will get in touch with you.