International Women’s Day Feature - Joelle Chua

Besides my mom, my mentor/boss, Lita, there was another woman that had played an important part in my life. She had been a major influence in my life over the last few years. I have learned so much from her, and I want to take this opportunity to honor her.

Joelle's entrepreneurial journey began as a wedding planner and having tasted initial success, her desire to find meaningful business mentors introduced her to the world of network marketing. Having benefited from the teachings of my mentor, plus growing up as the daughter of a great father, she has seen the need to pay it forward. It is her mission to mentor future women entrepreneurs and helping other entrepreneurs to succeed.

Honest Living Program is the realization of a vision. Being a one-stop solution designed for women, to help them transit from job to be business-ready.

Q: As a female leader, in your field, what has been the most significant barrier in your career?

Male brought about contributions that are different from women in the business world. I never felt that there is a “barrier” that intimidates me to pursue the purpose that has been placed in my life, instead, I would identify and put myself in a position to complement what the men I worked with are lacking or weak in.

Q: What are the 3 important qualities that a woman leader should possess?

1. Keep adding value to others.

2. Submit to authority and the leader over you.

3. Be genuinely interested in other people.

Q: What type of challenges do you face when you work with dominant men in the industry?

My challenge with the men I am dealing with is to positively influence them to listen to my suggestion/s. Most of such challenges come from the veteran or those who are older than me in my industry. I guess this has a lot to do with mindset change and not just about gender differences. 

Q: Does it matter how a woman leader is perceived by her peers or the people around her?

Your purpose, attitude, and values you carry attract the people who are willing to follow you. People naturally follow your purpose or what you can give and not your title. Your peers might be a leader in another capacity, with another purpose. There is no comparison from one to the other. Hence, another person’s perception should not bother any true leader.

Q: How do you build your inner strength to counter the negative views that you get from people you are leading/working with?

Good question! There is protection when I have the mindset of doing everything with a ‘Spirit of Excellence’. Put your focus into “giving your best” rather than justifying yourself. Be it towards your team, your clients, your vendors, the companies you work with, so long as you are not short-changing anyone, no negativity can beat you.

Q: What would you have done differently if you are starting a business now?

If we are talking from the perspective of business, even my "gut" feel tells me this is the industry I should explore. It is good to be equipped with more knowledge about the market segment I want to pursue. Do the homework before I invest my resources (including time). If it did not turn out the way it should be, at least we know we have done our due diligence.

Q: What advice would you give the next generation of leaders?

Recognition (in whichever form) may seem like a validation, it can motivate us and drive us further. However, all these are only good for that very moment. You get burned out and can't last the race. Don't work towards recognition, be committed to your plans and work towards your dream/goal.

Q: What is your favourite quote you live by?

Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel. (Proverbs)