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.
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.
Meet Gisele Woon
Age is just a number. Gisele started her business during her university days, and her business flourished after years of hard work. Her company MagicPainters was featured in The New Paper, while Gisele was featured in Tripzilla and Cleo.
Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi! I’ve Gisele. I’m 24 this year and I run with a kids party entertainment company called MagicPainters with my mom!
MagicPainters is all about bringing smiles and magic to all the children we meet. As a family-run business, we know how important family time is, so we’d like to help make their kid’s special day as memorable as possible! We provide services such as face painting, glitter tattoos, magic shows, event decor and a whole lot more.
What got you started on your business?
What got you started on your business? After I graduate from SOTA (specialising in painting) in 2014, I had a 8 month gap before I started university. Since I love painting and kids — this became the best job ever! It started off as a hobby before I started taking it more seriously in 2018 and that’s when things started taking off! My mom joined me later in 2019 to help me with the back-end.
What were some difficulties you faced in your life and how did you overcome them?
Fitting into the academic ‘social norm’. Since I was a kid, I never saw the point of crazy endless studying, hell bent on getting a good grade on a subject I probably will never use in my adult life. I was more hands-on/practical and thankfully my parents were never the “BETTER-GET-AN-A” type.
However, it was difficult when other people thought I didn’t care, especially during my last year of university when things started picking up for MagicPainters. I chose to prioritise my work because I saw it as a flourishing business and I was planning to do it full time once I graduated.
My grades suffered, and people talked. I’m glad I didn’t get swayed and I pushed through, because it was well worth it. Today, I’ve gotten texts from people who used to comment on me ‘not caring about school’ telling me about how proud they are of me 😂
To all the moms with kids who don’t like studying: Don’t worry he/she will turn out fine. I’m a living example!
What excites you most about your industry?
What excites you most about your industry?The kids! Let me tell you, I can’t wait to have my own one day. In the meantime, I’ll settle for making their special day very special. Family is really important to me and my mother, so we really do our best to make their special family time as fun as possible!
What is your vision / personal motto?
You can always be better. Never stop trying to improve!
Do you have any word of advice for other ladies who are starting their business / starting to pursue their dream?
Do you have any word of advice for other ladies who are starting their business / starting to pursue their dream?If you never try, you’ll never know! If you’d ask me years ago if I’d be owning and running a business today, I’d tell you, “you’re crazy!”. But hey, have faith, take a leap and you’ll never know where you’ll end up.
How do you think you can help ladies to feel confident and empowered?
Write “I GOT THIS. I CAN STRONG I CAN DO IT.” in your notebook/post-it and read it OUT LOUD everyday or whenever you feel down. Trust me, it works.
What have you learnt recently that you hope the other ladies can take back?
It doesn’t matter if you fall, all that matters is you get back up. COVID-19 has been a real bummer to everyone, including myself. What we can do now is re-access, change our game plan and get back out there again!
Who inspires you?
Who inspires you?My dad. He also runs his own business, I guess you can say it runs in the blood.
What is one thing you are grateful for?
My family. I am nothing without their love & support.
What do you do in your free time as self care? How do you unwind?
What do you do in your free time as self care? How do you unwind?Shopping, going to movies, as well as spending quality time with people I love – their company always helps to recharge me!
Let us know more about what you do!
Let us know more about what you do!MagicPainters provide AWESOME kid’s party entertainment, and smiles to you & guests’ faces. Let us help make your kid’s special day as memorable as possible! Our services include: face painting, glitter tattoos, magic shows, event decor & more.
Connect with MagicPainters!
Website: https://www.magic-painters.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magicpainters.sg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magicpainters.sg
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:
- Pamela Goi, Tracyeinny
- Angela Tnee, Allure Beauty
- Elizabeth Chan, Kueh Ho Jiak
- Tiffany Okumu, RAPH&REMY
- Lily Liew, Hands On Floral
- Joanna Goy, Singapore Lactation Bakes
- Christel Goh, Play Huahee
- Michelle Hon, The Chill Mom
- Zoe Chu, SG Supernanny
- Sasha M
- Sher-Li Torrey, Mums@Work
- Lily Loh, Lilo Ikan Bilis
- Angie Wong, JOOP Boutique