The Spark Driving Women Entreprenuers

Whether it’s their passion for creating meaningful impact, demonstrating resilience in the face of obstacles, or staying true to their core values, more women entrepreneurs are making their distinct marks in the business world.

In partnership with Her World, BusinessClass FoundED event titled Women Entrepreneurs & Their Spark, gathered clients to connect and exchange inspiring stories with fellow entrepreneurs.

In her opening remarks, Candice Ho, Head of SME Banking at DBS Singapore, set the tone for the afternoon by highlighting the strength of women leaders. “I believe that when ambition and inspiration collide, we ignite transformative change. Women leaders, bring unique perspectives and strengths to the table – empathy, collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to sustainability. These are the very qualities we need to build a brighter future for all,” she said.

“At DBS, we're dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs like yourselves with tailored banking solutions, resources and networks designed to support your business journeys every step of the way. Whether you're focused on sustainability, digital transformation, or regional expansion, we have programmes and partnerships to help you thrive,” she added.

Creating Impact

The highlight of the event was a panel discussion titled Shaping the Future – Women Entrepreneurs for Change, moderated by Her World contributing features editor Karishma Tulsidas. The panellists — Oh Chu Xian, founder of sustainable building materials company Magorium; Karen Tan, founder of independent cinema operator The Projector; and Wendy Foo, founder of Ryan's Grocery, a gourmet specialty grocer, and Ryan's Kitchen — discussed the market gaps they sought to fill, the challenges they overcame, and the spark that kept them moving forward.

Each of the entrepreneurs’ journeys stemmed from unconventional thinking and a drive to solve problems that others may have overlooked. Oh Chu Xian’s company, Magorium, converts unrecyclable plastic waste into road construction material, a novel solution in the built environment space.

Drawing from her family’s experience in road paving, Oh recognised the environmental impact of traditional construction methods. “We are literally mining raw materials from the ground to pave roads, which is extremely harmful to the environment. But roads are essential, particularly in underdeveloped areas where they enable access to healthcare, education, and basic resources,” she said. Her mission is to make roads more sustainable while addressing the global issue of plastic waste.

Tan, founder of the alternative cinema space The Projector, took a different approach to entrepreneurship by tackling a cultural gap. “Singapore has one of the highest densities of cinemas per capita, but most people were watching the same eight Hollywood films,” she said. Tan set out to create a platform that showcased alternative voices and cultures, bringing indie films, documentaries, and performances to the forefront.

Meanwhile, Foo’s motivation to create Ryan’s Kitchen came from a personal place—her son Ryan, who has autism, inspired her to start a business that provides clean, organic food. As the only full-service organic butchery and grocery store in Singapore offering organic meat and proteins, she has transformed her initial search for healthier food for her family into a business that supplies clean produces to the wider community.

“What kept us going was knowing that we were making a change,” Foo explained. “People are now more conscious of what they eat, asking where their food comes from. This awareness is a significant shift.”

Overcoming Adversity

All the entrepreneurs highlighted how important it is to remain resilient in the face of challenges. Whether it was pivoting their business model during COVID-19 or finding alternative ways to source materials, they demonstrated that adaptability is key to survival and success in any business.

Tan recounted the difficulties The Projector faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, where lockdowns and social distancing measures put a halt to their core business of bringing people together in physical spaces. To keep the business going, The Projector launched a streaming platform in four months. A touching story from one of The Projector’s regular patrons during the pandemic, who credited the space with helping him overcome depression, reminded Tan of the impact her work had on the community.

“We read one message from this kid who said that he was struggling with depression, and The Projector was really instrumental in him just pulling out of that because he would come every single day and just see people," she said. “So when you get messages like that, you just think it really drives home the fact that you do actually make a difference to somebody."​

For Oh, the roadblocks came early, as she struggled to obtain plastic waste for her project. “At one point, I found myself rummaging through recycling bins at night just to get the materials I needed,” she shared. Yet her belief in the importance of her work motivated her to push through. Foo, on the other hand, managed to overcome her doubts fairly quickly as her mission was driven by a deeper purpose to provide the products her family needed.

Non-Negotiables in Business

A common thread among the speakers was the idea of building businesses with a deeper purpose and staying true to their core principles. Their ventures were fuelled by a mission to make a meaningful impact, and this purpose was often a guiding force that kept them going.

Foo said that her “non-negotiable” commitment was to the quality and sustainability in her food sourcing. By working directly with farms rather than middlemen, she ensures that her products meet her strict standards for organic, antibiotic-free, and growth promotant-free meats.

Similarly, Oh of Magorium highlighted the importance of focusing on impactful solutions rather than taking easier paths. Despite the challenges of working with difficult plastic waste streams, her company remains dedicated to addressing the most problematic environmental issues.

For Tan, curating content that sparks conversation and challenges societal norms is a key part of her business. Even when faced with potential controversy, she prioritises giving space to alternative voices and difficult dialogues, ensuring that her platform remains inclusive and culturally impactful.

These entrepreneurs’ unique spark lies not only in their business skills, but also in their commitment to making a difference in their respective fields.

Watch how three accomplished DBS female leaders who have made a tangible impact by adding their strengths to their clients and communities.

At DBS, our initiatives across the areas of sustainability, digitalisation, and regionalisation, ensures that businesses leaders are empowered to thrive in an evolving landscape.