These women mean business: Finding empowerment through entrepreneurship
Six female business owners across the region share lessons from their journeys with Lazada.
The switch to e-commerce has enabled Miss Antoinette Wong, co-founder of The Little Dröm Store, to work mainly from home, where she can be present for her two young sons while pursuing her business interests. Photos: Lazada
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International Women’s Day, observed on Mar 8 this year, celebrates the achievements of women all over the world. Throughout the past decade, Southeast Asia has witnessed a steady rise in the number of female entrepreneurs, with over 60 million owning micro-, small- and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs).
E-commerce platforms like Lazada play a significant role in enabling women to realise their entrepreneurial aspirations. Here’s how six sellers found empowerment through the skills and capabilities they built by running an online business.
DEVELOPING CONFIDENCE AND PURPOSE
Ms Nguyen Hoai Nhi, 31, made a bold decision to quit her job in advertising in 2021, despite uncertainties about her future prospects.
Intrigued by the potential of e-commerce, she embarked on a learning journey through Lazada University, the Lazada Seller Club and the LazMaster programme.
The strong support system and community she found at Lazada gave her the confidence to strike out as a digital entrepreneur, which led to her launching an online home decor store, Decosa Homedecor. Buoyed by its success, Ms Nguyen is now a LazMaster mentor, where she shares insights with new sellers navigating the Lazada platform.
“I used to be afraid that my future would be negatively affected if I did not adhere to conventional measures of success,” she reflected. “Now, I am no longer afraid, because I’ve realised that I can do anything when I put my mind to it. Lazada and its strong seller community have helped female sellers like myself expand our businesses beyond what we once thought possible.”
NURTURING INCLUSIVITY AND SELF-ACCEPTANCE
When she had trouble finding jeans that flattered her body type, Ms Pornpavee Darnmingyen, 30, decided to launch her own clothing brand, Merge, on Lazada in 2020.
At the core of Merge is a commitment to size inclusivity, exemplified by its signature jeans available in sizes up to 6XL.
Starting out with a team of three, Merge has since expanded into a thriving enterprise of 40 employees. With an impressive following of 260,000 on Instagram, Merge has also entered brick-and-mortar retail, establishing a flagship location at Bangkok’s Siam Square.
Said Ms Darnmingyen: “I’m optimistic about a future where female entrepreneurs are able to tap on a supportive community, breaking down the walls that limit women.”
FINDING FREEDOM FOR THE THINGS THAT MATTER
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Ms Antoinette Wong, 39, moved her family’s business, The Little Dröm Store, from its location at Singapore’s Ann Siang Hill neighbourhood to the digital realm of Lazada.
Together with her husband, the former graphic designer also took the chance to launch a series of quirky Singapore-inspired products designed to uplift spirits during the challenging period.
The switch to e-commerce has freed Ms Wong from the constraints of fixed retail and working hours and enabled her to work mainly from home, where she can be present for her two young sons while pursuing her business interests.
Explained Ms Wong: “In this phase of my life, I relish having flexibility and control over my time. Leveraging a platform like Lazada enables parents with young children to maintain their passions without the daunting responsibilities that come with running a physical store.”
HONING HER BUSINESS ACUMEN
Ms Teh Qiu Xuan embarked on her entrepreneurial journey at the age of 16, launching KOMIC – an authorised distributor of licensed character merchandise – with her brother on Lazada.
Originally conceived as a means to alleviate her family’s financial burdens, KOMIC has blossomed into a robust enterprise with 15 staff members spread across a main office, two warehouses and a Disney in-store pop-up in Penang.
A keen learner of e-commerce strategies, Ms Teh, 27, is now adept at using Lazada’s Business Advisor and Store Builder tools to optimise KOMIC’s operations. She also implements online-to-offline strategies – such as distributing vouchers through community groups to boost traffic to KOMIC – which enhance insights into customer preferences and purchasing habits.
As a Lazada Seller Ambassador, she shares her knowledge of e-commerce with fellow sellers in her home state of Penang. Said Ms Teh: “With equal access to resources, opportunities and support systems, women can grow and accomplish all they put their minds to. I’m passionate about inspiring women to dream big and aim for the stars.”
BUILDING A COMMUNITY AROUND SELF-CARE
Growing up, Ms Arianne Amante, 26, discovered the transformative power of makeup and skincare in boosting her confidence.
Recognising a gap in the market for homegrown beauty products tailored to modern Filipina consumers, she embarked on a journey to establish her own beauty brand, Clocheflame, on Lazada in 2021.
Beyond offering beauty products, Clocheflame has built a strong online community where women can find acknowledgment and empowerment.
To better understand their needs and challenges, Ms Amante actively engages with customers at Lazada’s events – such as a recent pop-up at Manila’s SM Megamall – and connects with fellow female entrepreneurs.
“Instead of seeing one another as competitors, I value a culture of mutual support,” she said. “We should offer help freely and seek help when needed. True beauty radiates when we extend kindness to others and ourselves.”
CULTIVATING ADAPTABILITY AND RESILIENCE
Ms Vanda Monica’s bag store on Lazada was steadily picking up in business until changes in Indonesia’s import policies halted its growth in 2019.
Instead of giving up, the 34-year-old former housewife pivoted to selling fishing equipment at her Lazada storefront, Mancing.
Despite her lack of expertise in sporting goods or fishing, Ms Vanda was determined to learn and leverage her e-commerce experience to rebuild her business.
Drawing guidance from both online resources and the Lazada seller community, Ms Vanda was able to overcome the initial challenges. Today, Mancing not only generates income for Ms Vanda’s family, but also creates employment opportunities in Malang, where Ms Vanda serves as a mentor to fellow sellers as a Lazada Club City leader.
Reflecting on her experience, Ms Vanda said: “Balancing work and family demands resilience. However, I’ve learned that resilience is the catalyst the turns dreams into reality. I aim to inspire others to confront challenges head-on.”
Learn more about becoming a Lazada seller in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
