From The Straits Times    |

Tell us more about yourself.

My name is Shanti and I love the arts. I was working in the art world about five years and it was a fantastic experience getting up close with masterpieces, and meeting lots of interesting people. However, I wasn’t feeling fulfilled in my life. I wanted to make a bigger and a more positive impact in the world. I’ve always had a strong interest in creativity and innovation, and seeing how technological innovations changed the world, I was inspired to switch careers and join a tech start-up.

What are you most passionate about in life?

I am very passionate about learning how to live a truly authentic life. By this, I mean knowing my values, my goals, and my purpose. It’s about aligning my thoughts and values with my actions. I want to be comfortable in my own skin, and be confident with the choices I make without succumbing to societal pressures. It may sound simple, but it’s challenging and it takes a lot of courage to live a life true to oneself.

Making the jump from art to tech is a big leap. Are there any similarities between the two fields? How do you manage to straddle them?

Art and tech are, indeed, very different, especially in terms of environment and culture. Nonetheless, both are driven by innovation and creativity, and are very exciting industries to be in.

The art market is highly volatile, and this has trained me to always be flexible and have an open mind. Similarly, it’s common for young start-ups to try different things and approaches, so it’s important to be open to new ideas while constantly re-aligning goals to make sure that the company is on the right track.

When I was working at the gallery, I was doing sales. Talking to people really helped to boost my confidence. My current role in business development at a start-up also involves engaging with different people, learning how I can provide value to partners.

There’s a quote by Jack Ma that resonates with me. He said, “Your attitude is more important than your capabilities. Similarly, your decision is more important than your capabilities.”

Tell us more about your current company.

Koku is a fintech start-up with a mission to make financial services more accessible to the world. We are launching a currency marketplace that optimises cross-border transactions for users. Our use of blockchain technology enables us to achieve instant settlement between financial institutions on our global network.

As with any new venture, there are bound to be challenges. What are some instances of adversity you have faced and how have you learnt to overcome them?

We are a new start-up, and like most start-ups in the early stage, there have been challenges. These include getting the essence of our business model right, and how to gain traction. We are at the forefront of innovation, so it’s very important to have a compelling valued proposition to get people to believe in our product.

We are a small team and everyone plays a vital role in helping the business to succeed. We are a strong and passionate team. With support and hard work, I believe we’ll be able to overcome hurdles together. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this job when it comes to overcoming challenges, it’s to always have resilience.

Being female in what is otherwise seen as a male-dominated industry can be daunting. What is a message you would like to send to all women in sectors that are commonly affiliated with men?

Yes, tech is a very male dominated industry and I’m the only female in my team! It is so important to find your voice. Be brave, be courageous and own the space that you’re in.

How is fashion and life similar?

As with fashion, life is a runway. Like fashion pieces on the catwalk, what we make of our lives is a masterpiece.

What do you work for (besides money)?

I work for a sense of fulfilment and to instil value and purpose in my life. Part of that purpose is to be constantly learning and sharing new ideas.

What would you say to your future self?

You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.

Who, or what, inspires you to make the world a little bit better?

We have come such a long way and are now in the 21st century. Despite this and the fact that we all live in the same planet, there are still social injustices around the world. This inspires me to care a little more, love a little more, and make the world a better place.

What are you most proud of being born in your generation?

I was born in the era of technology and I am proud to be part of this digital revolution. Technology is such an integral part of our lives and I cannot imagine life without it. We are more connected than ever, and now have access to various resources, data, and knowledge. All of these have definitely made our lives easier and for the better.

G2000’s Work for Values campaign pays homage to individuals in Asia who adds value to what they do every day, with hopes that this will inspire and encourage the younger generation to strive for more, beyond monetary gains.

This is the first of a two-part video series brought to you by G2000. Apparel by G2000.

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