JACLYN LIM, 32
She started a subscription service that delivers fresh flowers weekly.
A claustrophobic, windowless storeroom in an industrial building wasn’t the best place for a florist to start her business, but Jaclyn persevered in such a space.
She took on freelance writing assignments to pay the bills and eventually moved out of the tiny storeroom when she became the creative force behind The Bloom Room – a flower shop in Joo Chiat that she co-founded in 2013 with her husband, Kevin Poh.
“At first, orders were few and far between, and the long hours were very draining,” says Jaclyn, who was inspired by the strong and successful women she had interviewed during her three-and-a-half-year stint as a features writer at Her World.
Jaclyn herself, however, had a background that was just as inspiring.
When she was still a student, her father’s business failed, so she had to discontinue her studies in Australia. Because of their financial distress, they couldn’t pay the utility bills, and the electricity and water supply at home was cut off. Eventually, Jaclyn’s family lost their house, and her parents divorced.
“I hit rock-bottom (in those days). So when it came to starting this flower shop, I felt that I had nothing to lose,” says Jaclyn, who’s now paying it forward in her own way.
“Some of my customers have stressful jobs, so a trip to my little shop becomes an escape, and they leave with smiles on their faces,” she says. “Flowers are their mood-boosters!”
PHOTOGRAPHY WINSTON CHUANG, STYLING EVON CHNG HAIR AARON NG/DECORUM, MAKEUP JACKELINE GOH, USING Yves Saint Laurent Beaute, Blazer from Oasis/Robinsons, Jumpsuit from Motivi/Robinsons, Bracelet Stylist’s own.
Read more inspiring stories of the other 54 millennials only in the special 55th birthday edition of Her World July, available on newsstands now. Download the digital edition from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Here are more inspiring women you should know: These Singapore women athletes won over 40 gold medals collectively at SEA Games 2015.
These Singapore women too, have the most unusual (and cool!) jobs; one of them is a mermaid for hire!
