Want to start a successful live-commerce stream? These three creators prove that anyone can do it

Last week, at the panel discussion How To Thrive On Live, hosted by Her World and Shopee Live, three women from very different backgrounds shared how they turned streaming into income streams, built communities, and created new careers. 

Actor-host Bonnie Loo, as well as content creators Angel Or and Nicole Chang Min spoke about their experiences in a candid session. The message from the stage was clear: Success comes from genuine connection and consistent effort.

“I came today because I wanted to learn more about live streaming. I’ve done some streams before as an ambassador for a jewellery brand, but I still get a bit shy on camera. I often watch Nicole’s live streams –  she inspires me to improve and feel more confident. Hearing everyone share their experiences today was really insightful and motivating,” shared 29-year-old Fasihah.

Jacklyn Lim, a senior specialist from NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute, wanted to know how live streaming can become a meaning side hustle.

“People see the success stories but don’t always know the hard work behind the scenes. I’d love to explore how this could be part of future career festivals – to show job seekers that there’s an exciting ‘after-work life’ waiting to be discovered,” she said.

Here are the highlights of the event:

Turning genuine connection into real sales success

Bonnie Loo began her career as an actor on local TV. Streaming was not a natural fit – and English isn’t her first language. But backed by Shopee’s support and brand partners, she put in the work: streaming 10-12 hours a day, testing thousands of products, and learning how to connect with a female audience. Soon, she shifted from chatter to sales: demonstrating beauty products, building trust, and turning fans into customers.

Live-streaming as a viable career

Angel Or was working a full-time job when she tried her first streams in December 2023. She had a newborn daughter and longed for flexibility, but didn’t quite see how streaming could become more than a hobby.

Shopee’s brand-matching initiative changed the game: stream opportunities, structured themes (K-beauty one week, electronics the next), and real earnings that rivalled her corporate income.

“When my live-streaming income matched my full-time salary, I thought, ‘Maybe I should give this a shot full-time,” she said.

An introvert turned live-streaming pro

Nicole Chang Min has been in the content-creation business for over 10 years. With live streaming, she admitted the transition wasn’t seamless: she’s naturally introverted, and hosting sessions of two to three hours required stamina. 

What changed it was building a real community. One demo of a viral eyeliner pen turned into ten repeat attempts, and framed that moment of live-proof into conversions. Her community now spans Telegram groups (3,500 + members) and IRL meet-ups.

Key lessons from the panel

• Be yourself: You don’t need a TV-presenter voice. Authenticity wins.
• Show, don’t just tell: Real-time demos and honest reviews matter.
• Consistency builds trust: Livestreams daily or multiple times a week establish viewer habits.
• Community matters: Beyond sales, you’re building relationships.
• Home or studio? Both work: If you’re starting from home, keep it tidy, well-lit and thematically framed.

For those ready to start

If you’re considering your own streaming journey:

• Pick your platform, create your space and set up with good lighting + mic.
• Choose product categories you believe in – what you love is what you’ll talk about easiest.
• Use platform tools (vouchers, giveaways, viewer engagement) to boost discovery.
• Define your audience. Are you talking to Gen Z, parents, older buyers? Tailor accordingly.

With Shopee’s user-friendly tools, women entrepreneurs are not only growing their businesses, but also uplifting other women along the way.