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 Sophia Ng (Kidztropic)
Fempreneur Sophia Ng
Tell us a little about yourself. What is your business/ brand about?
I’m Sophia Ng, Co-Founder of Kidztropic Singapore. Our brand is dedicated to creating innovative play spaces that blend educational and developmental activities with fun. At Kidztropic, we focus on providing children with enriching experiences through structured and unstructured play, fostering creativity, empathy, and emotional well-being. Core to our mission as well as to be a preschool partner for curating and planning school learning journeys.
In addition, in support of the “Made for Families” initiative, Kidztropic aims to build a community where parents can bond and support one another. This includes supporting various communities ranging from charities (e.g., Singapore Kindness Movement, Centre for Fathering) to parenting platforms and communities (e.g., Bubstreet, NMSG, ByKIDO). I genuinely wanted to make a meaningful impact through my work. With Kidztropic, I have the opportunity to advocate for educational play and, most importantly, to bring families together. I believe this is something young parents need these days.
What got you started on your business?
The inspiration for Kidztropic came from my experience as a single mother during the COVID-19 pandemic. My daughter, who loves playgrounds and play spaces, faced challenges due to school closures, which led us to informal homeschooling and play-based learning through playgroups.
When she started preschool formally in Singapore at K1 (5 years old), I noticed that the informal, play-based learning she had experienced built resilience and a curiosity for learning in her. Although she struggled to adjust to the formal school environment initially, the skills she developed through play helped her, particularly in socialisation. This motivated me to create a space where children could engage in meaningful, educational play and develop essential life skills.
Before you started your business, what did you do on a full-time basis?
Before founding Kidztropic, I spent nearly a decade working in the corporate world, including roles at Philip Morris International and Rémy Cointreau. My experience spanned marketing, business development, and consumer experience in various international markets, specialising in Global Travel Retail markets.
What were some difficulties you faced in your life and how did you overcome them?
One of the major difficulties I faced was transitioning from a stable corporate career to entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship meant giving up a stable, attractive monthly paycheck in the early stages of the business. Much budgeting on the personal end and lifestyle adjustments had to be made when I chose to embark on this journey.
The other phase was building a brand and consumer base. Branding and consumer experience are very close to my heart. While in a corporate setting, I was blessed with a strong brand reputation and base for the brands I was managing, but in my journey as a start-up, I’m starting from scratch, building brand awareness, understanding what my brand stands for, designing the consumer experience, and the list goes on.
Fempreneur Sophia and her daughter Elise
Who inspires you?
My greatest inspiration is my daughter. Her curiosity and resilience remind me of the importance of creativity and perseverance, both personally and professionally. Quoting our mantra at Kidztropic, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”- George Bernard Shaw.
What excites you most about your industry?
I’m excited by the evolving landscape of educational play and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on children’s development. The potential to innovate and create new experiences that foster learning and emotional growth is incredibly motivating.
What is your vision / personal motto?
My personal motto is, “Don’t look back and wonder ‘what if.’” I believe in pursuing passions and making impactful changes without regret.
Fempreneur Sophia and her daughter Elise
What have you learned recently that you hope the other ladies can take back?
I’ve learned that adaptability and resilience are crucial when navigating the entrepreneurial journey. Embracing change and learning from every experience can lead to significant personal and professional growth.
What do you do in your free time as self care? How do you unwind?
In my free time, I enjoy cooking and exploring new culinary techniques. It’s a fulfilling way to unwind and express creativity outside of work. I also prioritise spending quality time with my daughter, which helps me recharge and stay connected. Recently, I’ve also gone back to creative work – as a model for film or print projects. There is always so much to learn about various industries!
How do you think you can help ladies to feel confident and empowered?
By sharing my journey and experiences, I hope to inspire other women to pursue their passions and embrace their potential. Confidence comes from believing in oneself and having the courage to take bold steps toward achieving one’s goals.
Kidztropic Brand Logo
What is one thing you are grateful for?
I’m deeply grateful for the support of my family and the community around Kidztropic. Their encouragement and belief in our mission have been invaluable in this journey.
Let us know more about what you do!
Kidztropic is a pioneering play space offering innovative, educational play experiences that foster creativity, empathy, and emotional well-being. We blend structured learning with fun to support holistic childhood development.
You may also find us featured on MoneyFM 89.3.
Connect with Kidztropic
Website: https://www.kidztropic.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidztropic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Kidztropic-Singapore
LinkedIn: https://sg.linkedin.com/company/kidztropic
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:
- Janet Ng, The Red Wedding (Singapore)
- Margaret Wu, For Beloved One (Singapore)
- Maddy Barber, Madly Gems (Singapore)
- Dr. Menka Gupta, Nutra Nourish (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)
- Elke Pascoe, LittleOak (Australia)