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 Hillary Tjioe (MM Galleri Singapore and ReCasa Living)
TLC x Fempreneurs Series: Hillary Tjioe (MM Galleri Singapore and ReCasa Living)
Tell us a little about yourself. What is your business/brand about?
I am the Director of MM Galleri Singapore and the second generation of the family business.
My company supplies natural (marble/granite/etc) and engineered (quartz/sintered) stones to mid to high-end residential and commercial projects for architecture and interior design. MM Galleri is also the only company in the world that can bend marble, a technique patented in 2018.
As the director of MM Galleri Singapore, I oversee all the company’s operations in Singapore to ensure we provide the best service for our customers.
I am also the Chief Operations Officer of Recasa Living, an Italian furniture distributor that I recently launched with my 2 partners in November 2022. Recasa Living is the sole Asian distributor of Berto Salotti, a high-end Italian furniture manufacturer that used to supply all the big Italian furniture brands (M, P, etc) before coming out with their own branding 20 years ago. They are now growing rapidly across Europe and US.
What got you started on your business?
From a young age, I accompanied my father to business meetings and spent time in the factory, where my interest in stones developed. I became proficient in identifying different types of stones and their uses. Following my studies in Canada, I took on the challenge of expanding MM Galleri into the Singapore market.
When we ventured into the furniture industry, I took the time to learn about the sector and developed a keen interest in Italian furniture. Collaborating with my two partners who both have experience marketing and dealing with high net-worth clientele, we worked with Berto to establish ReCasa Living and offer high-end Italian furniture.
Before you started on your business, what did you do on a full-time basis?
Prior to joining MM Galleri and ReCasa Living, I was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Management at the University of British Columbia in Canada. During that time, I also undertook training from the Gemological Institute of America, the foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls, and completed the workshops for Diploma in Coloured Gemstones.
Fempreneur Hillary Tjioe
What were some difficulties you faced in your life and how did you overcome them?
In my early days at the Singapore office, my primary challenge was handling the team and driving sales. Our sales figures were low, and team dynamics were problematic, with an ex-partner who was supposed to help us not contributing as expected. To remedy this, I discussed the situation with my father, and he entrusted me with the control I needed to make changes and improve sales. I began by cutting ties with the ex-partner and releasing non-performing employees. Following that, I embarked on an extensive hiring campaign to bring in new staff with positive attitudes and then trained them on the basics of stone knowledge and how we functioned as a company. For the first few projects, I personally joined the team to boost their confidence. Now, we have a team of 12 skilled employees in MM Galleri Singapore, and the company is in the black.
For ReCasa Living, we had some difficulties finding the right team at the start, and now we are focusing more on marketing and brand awareness as we know we have a great product.
What excites you most about your industry?
The products. In the stone industry, every block of marble, granite, onyx, or other natural stones will be different. The different patterns of the stones will be applicable to different houses and designs and it excites me that my products will make someone’s home or office to be glamorous and they are getting that exclusive pattern of the stones.
I am a very technical person at heart, so I love products that are of great aesthetic and practical value. This is why I love the furniture that ReCasa brought in, as they are both aesthetically pleasing with Italian design, and are also crafted with love and very long-lasting.
What is your vision / personal motto?
Be the Best version of yourself! Always stay positive and forwards looking.
Do you have any words of advice for other ladies who are starting their business/ starting to pursue their dream?
My advice to other women who are starting their own businesses or pursuing their dream is to always work smart and stay resilient. Starting a new venture can be both exciting and challenging, but with the right mindset and approach, you can overcome any obstacles that come your way.
In addition, you need to believe in yourself and your vision, surround yourself with supportive people and never give up on your dreams. With dedication and perseverance, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
ReCasa Living
What have you learnt recently that you hope the other ladies can take back?
You need to learn how to delegate your work if you want your business to be successful.
How do you think you can help ladies to feel confident and empowered?
Being supportive and promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity is important for women to feel more confident and empowered. We need to recognize the talents and celebrate the achievement of women to let them feel included and supported to continue to strike. I reward my employee based on their achievement and celebrate if they complete the project to show my recognition so they can feel confident to take on bigger roles or projects.
In addition, providing support in terms of resources and opportunities for women is crucial for them to feel empowered. includes training programs, workshops, and access to funding and other resources. By equipping women with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed, we can help them build confidence and feel empowered to take on new challenges.
ReCasa Living and MM Galleri Brand Logos
What is one thing you are grateful for?
I am grateful for the support from my parent and my friends. Since starting my journey in MM Galleri and ReCasa, they always have been a part of the process of helping me to be strong and confident to make important decisions. Not only that, they provided support in ideas, connections, and encouragement that I know they have my back so I can push myself to make these companies successful. I can’t thank them enough for the support they have given me and I am very grateful for that.
What do you do in your free time as self-care? How do you unwind?
I often do water activities with my friends and hang out at the beach. I try not to touch my Whatsapp and be around friends who share thoughts and stories with each other.
Let us know more about what you do!
MM Galleri is the trusted supplier of natural and engineered stones by reputable designers for high-end construction projects and pioneer bended marble technology to create unique products. ReCasa Living is a luxury furniture retail brand and a curator of Italian goods in Singapore with an exclusive collaboration with innovative Italian furniture manufacturer BertO.
You may also find us featured in The Sunday Times, Tatler Homes, Strait Times, The Smart Local, Portfolio Magazine, A Magazine, and Building Stone Magazine.
Connect with MM Galleri Singapore!
Website: www.mmgalleri.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mm.galleri
Connect with ReCasa Living!
Website: www.recasaliving.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/recasaliving
Giveaway Alert
Marble Coaster
10 lucky winners stand a chance to win a Marble Coaster, a total worth S$300!
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𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲:
1. Like this post.
2. Follow @mm.galleri, @recasaliving and @theladiescue on Instagram.
3. Tag 1 friend who loves a chilled drink!
Best of luck 
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.