TLC x Fempreneurs Series: Adeline Lin (The Better Diamond)

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 Adeline Lin (The Better Diamond)

Tell us a little about yourself. What is your business/ brand about?

Hi! I’m Adeline, the Creative and Marketing Director of The Better Diamond. The Better Diamond is a fully custom bespoke lab-grown diamond label based in Singapore. We curate anything from your typical jewellery to fun projects like car emblems, table homeware, and diamonds in leather goods. We’re about creating tradition, rather than following it.

What got you started on your business? 

I joined the team in 2021 and to be honest, it all kind of happened on its own. I came from an Accounting and Finance background, but creative work has always been something I’ve naturally leaned towards. After meeting Marcus, our conversation flowed seamlessly to suggestions on how I felt the brand had a lot of potential and could be elevated with some re-strategising. One thing led to another, I left my corporate job and now I do this full time!

I’ve always enjoyed taking ownership of what I do and dabbled in small entrepreneurial endeavours since my teenage years. Back in the day when American Apparel was a thing, I sold affordable plain coloured t-shirts. While I was in college, I sold granola. I did all these through social media, though my memory of exactly how is quite fuzzy now but I do remember Instagram back in the day when it was still square photos and filter-crazed!

Before you started your business, what did you do on a full-time basis?

I was a finance analyst!

What were some difficulties you faced in your life and how did you overcome them?

I’ve spoken up about this on and off on my social media platforms but I’ve had some good 6-7 years of going through a disordered relationship with food and my body, alongside depressive episodes and a lot of anxiety. I never went into rehab nor sought professional help, not because I felt any way against it but I think I didn’t want the help. It wasn’t even an option I thought of at the time. I did, however, do a lot of inward looking that brought about a very long journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and realisation. As much as it was a painful and difficult journey, my mum and a few key friends played a vital role in keeping me on track while they watched me slowly heal, and it is one of the most rewarding things I could have done for myself to date.

More recently, I grieved over the sudden loss of a very good friend and had to learn how to deal with the void. Being in a much healthier headspace this time helped me process my feelings and I think I managed to be at peace with the news a lot quicker than I expected myself to be.

All my takeaways from these experiences are mostly grounded in the fact that you can’t control what happens in life, but you can control your perspectives and approach to it.

Who inspires you?

I don’t have an individual figure who inspires but I feel like I’m someone who likes to observe and take to heart what calls out to me. It could be a major event in the news, or it could be something small in my everyday life. It’s a running joke among those who know me that I have one of the worst RBFs around, but I’m a romantic about life and I think I’m quite sentimental and feel a lot. I’m all for a growth mindset in every facet of my life, and I channel a lot of these feelings I pick up to think about what actionable I can do – big or small – to improve any aspect of my life, whether it’s my work, relationships or just personal growth.

What excites you most about your industry?

I think the lab-grown diamond industry is one with a lot of potential and has been seen to be very promising in the next few years. Data as of May 2023 has shown that the sale of lab-grown diamonds has overtaken that of natural diamonds. In a space where new luxury is defined by the luxury of choice, I get to play that role where I can innovate and influence. We’re a team that always looks to challenge the status quo, and I think the perception and attitude towards lab-grown diamonds will only continue to become more positive as consumers realize that they can have the visual beauty of having a real diamond, while still having a positive ethical and sustainable impact on the world. That’s why we believe that lab-grown diamonds are truly The Better Diamond.

What is your vision / personal motto?

You can’t control what happens in life, but you can control your perspectives and approach to it.

Do you have any words of advice for other ladies who are starting their businesses/ starting to pursue their dreams?

Trust your gut. We’ve always known the term “gut feeling” as something that comes up in conversation but we don’t often stop to think about what it means. Your gut-brain connection is complex and bidirectional, but it’s also strong. Trust yourself to know what’s best and have the courage to act on it. Always remember: you know yourself best. If something checks out in your heart and head, it’s probably right.

Also, get comfortable with failure. It comes in many forms, in many magnitudes but more importantly, take it as a positive thing where you can learn and grow.

What have you learned recently that you hope the other ladies can take back?

I followed Kipchoge’s Berlin race last weekend and his statement “When you finish a marathon you can achieve anything in life” really stood out to me.

How do you think you can help ladies to feel confident and empowered?

One of the mottos we have at The Better Diamond is that we empower others by giving them autonomy over how their decisions impact the world around them for generations to come when they choose to purchase lab-grown diamonds. I’m a big believer when it comes to power accessories, however, that looks like for you – whether that be a bag, a pair of favourite shoes, or an investment piece of jewellery. You could have the plainest outfit but it can look so different with the addition of one powerful accessory. When we create pieces with our clients through The Better Experience, a large part of that initial process is discovering the feeling you want to get from creating this piece. I think that’s something very special and translates and transcends beyond the piece of gold.

Confidence is a muscle you have to develop. For a woman to feel her best, it’s a combination of eating well, getting enough rest, finding time to exercise regularly, and doing things that alleviate your stress and boost your energy levels. It sounds like a big investment combined, but when you feel your best is when you’re the most confident. And it shows!

On a more personal level, one thing I think tends to be overlooked is being heard. When I have rough days, I know being heard by the people around me is something I value because it keeps me grounded and level-headed. This sense of inner-serenity isn’t something I hear a lot of people talking about, but can help to boost your confidence levels knowing you’re going in the right direction. In the same vein, I’d love to be a listening ear or simply have casual conversations with anyone who might need that! My inbox or DMs are always open 🙂

What is one thing you are grateful for?

Simply, the opportunity to live, observe, and learn.

What do you do in your free time as self-care? How do you unwind?

It’s quite the cliche but my workouts are my self-care time of the day. Whether I’m doing a high-intensity one or a long easy run, I take myself into a different headspace when I’m doing physical activity to set the tone for the day (I usually work in the mornings) or reset myself (if I have any sessions at night, which isn’t often).

Unwinding is a different thing altogether for me. I like pushing myself a lot during my workouts so unwinding will look like taking the time to light a candle, listen to a podcast and foam roll my muscles from the day. When I can, I like to go for massages and spas just as a little treat for myself.

Let us know more about what you do!

We create and operate for the future of luxury. We believe in the power of jewellery to tell a story and celebrate life’s special moments, whether that’d be big or small. Lab-grown diamonds are physically, optically, and chemically identical to natural diamonds, so they truly are The Better Diamond.

You may also find us featured on The Peak Magazine, Tatler Asia, Money FM, CNA 938, The Business Times, and The Business Times Lifestyle.

Connect with The Better Diamond!

Website: https://www.thebetterdiamond.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterdiamond
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebetterdiamond

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 (Singapore)
  • Nerissa Low, Liht Organics (Singapore)
  • Maddy Barber, Madly Gems (Singapore)
  • Dr. Menka Gupta, Nutra Nourish (Singapore)
  • Lily Kew, Kew Organics (Singapore)
  • Vikki Tear, SoyCraft (Singapore)
  • Ezza Yusof, 2morrow Official (Malaysia)
  • Julie Yim, Lilin+Co (Malaysia)
  • Zairin Azman, UMMA (Malaysia)
  • Liza Morales, Ecotecture Design Studio (Philippines)
  • Lily Pham, Asiawide Business Consulting and Trading (Vietnam)