In this special column called the “TLC x Fempreneurs Series”, we will be featuring inspiring Female Entrepreneurs (Fempreneurs) in short. You will be able to have a sneak peek at their mindsets and their daily habits.
Believe in the power of community. On some days when you feel big goals are impossible, or when you feel like giving up, you need to lean on your like-minded community. You can even “borrow” motivation, and in turn “return” with your own inspiring stories to pay it forward.
Meet Nerissa Low (Liht Organics)
Tell us a little about yourself.
Liht Organics is a high-performing makeup line that is safe enough to eat! We are firm believers that 60% of what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your bodies, so whatever we apply should be ultra-safe. However we also understand that makeup needs to serve its function – with strong pigments and long-lasting capabilities, that is why we are focused on performance in our formulations without compromising on safety.
What got you started on your business?
I used to suffer from severe acne and I was on daily oral medications and monthly steroid injections directly into my pimples. After years of treatment with mere suppressions of the condition, I decided to do my own research on a cure for myself. What I found instead were the CAUSES of my skin problems – all the chemicals that are in our daily care products. So I cleaned out my skincare and body care and only used chemical-free organic products. At that time while organic skincare can be easily purchased, authentic organic makeup that fit my strict criteria was far and few. That was when I decided to just create my own line of makeup that was EXACTLY what I was looking for to solve my need for cosmetics that could heal while it conceals.
Before you started on your business, what did you do on a full-time basis?
I was in the finance industry for more than a decade before I embarked on my entrepreneurship journey.
What were some difficulties you faced in your life and how did you overcome them?
The beauty industry is easily one of the most competitive industries today. Without strong financial backing, it is very difficult to scale. Being a Singaporean brand it is also challenging to position our products as unlike Japan and Korea, Singapore is not the typical “go-to” for beauty products. That being said, Singapore is known for its honesty and integrity, as well as a bridge between the east and west, which puts us in a great position to promote products that are safe and specially curated for Asian skin. A lot of education is needed and we chose to focus our resources on building what we have that is lacking in the market instead of going head-on in competition with every other brand out there. Most of our customers buy Liht because we are able to offer what others can’t, that is why I chose to invest more into creating higher quality products than mass marketing.
Who inspires you?
J.K Rowling – Her grit that took her out of her difficult past is an inspiration and a reminder to me that no matter what cards are being dealt, we will only get past it stronger.
What excites you most about your industry?
How vibrant and huge the potential is! I love how makeup to us, is not JUST about a product. It is the ability to ignite emotions in our users through the confidence we can give them through enhancing their beauty, as well as our brand messaging which we hope to inspire women in every aspect of their lives
What is your vision / personal motto?
Sometimes in life, you need to earn more than just money. To me, this is a guiding force and a moral compass in the way I conduct my life.
Do you have any word of advice for other ladies who are starting their business/ starting to pursue their dream?
Build an army of angels you can trust enough to be vulnerable with – because that is when you will be at your strongest.
How do you think you can help ladies to feel confident and empowered?
We can only show how but ultimately everyone is responsible for their own journey. Women first need to feel like they are allowed to feel every single emotion without guilt or judgment. To get to the point of empowerment they must first build a very strong relationship with themselves and unpack every single emotion every time they feel something different. Being comfortable in your own skin and owning every side of you is key to starting this journey… It can be a long process, but it is all about taking the time to deconstruct the parts of our lives that we have kept repressed for so long. Understanding the past is key to creating our future.
What have you learned recently that you hope the other ladies can take back?
Shine so brightly that all in darkness will fall away from you. You will face a lot of negativity and meet a lot of people who will try to bring you down, but keep the faith and positivity and they will soon make their exit.
What is one thing you are grateful for?
The love that I am surrounded by. The support I get from those around me is what keeps me going every day through this rollercoaster!
What do you do in your free time as self-care? How do you unwind?
I frequent spas because I love massages. We use our laptops and phones way too much these days. I also watch FRIENDS every night before I go to bed to allow my mind to shut off for a bit before bedtime.
Let us know more about what you do!
Calling all ladies who want the holy grail of makeup! Liht is THE TRULY ORGANIC, a high-performing makeup brand that loves you and your skin! With in-built skincare benefits, you can be sure that your skin gets the nourishment you need to look and feel good from the inside out!
You may find us featured on Business Times, NUYOU, Lianhe Zaobao, Straits Times, Channel NewsAsia, 987 FM, 91.3 & FEMALE.
Connect with Pearl FALCO!
Website: www.Lihtorganics.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lihtorganics
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LivingInHerTime/
Giveaway Alert
10 winners can stand a chance to win Liht Organics Lip Glaze. Head over to The Ladies Cue Instagram to participate!
Are you a Fempreneur too?
Connect with us – we’d love to feature you! Say hi to us at hello@theladiescue.com or reach out to us via our social media.
Read TLC x Fempreneur Series:
- Margaret Wu, For Beloved One
- Hong Choy Yin, Tots Society
- Pearline Foo, Spring Breeze Marketing
- Maiko Makito, Pearl FALCO
- Maddy Barber, Madly Gems
- Ezza Yusof, 2morrow Official (Malaysia)
- Julie Yim, Lilin+Co (Malaysia)
- Nadia, HelloBello (Malaysia)
- Zairin Azman, UMMA (Malaysia)
The rest of the Fempreneur interviews can be found here.