I’m super excited to bring you another Mompreneur interview and this time round, I’m honoured to have Sabrina Lau from Singapore. She’s an accountant by profession and have 2 lovely kids that you will want to meet them. In this interview, you will learn about her story and why she choose network marketing as her part time profession. I sure you will love it. So, lets get start with the 1st question
1. Where were you born? What’s your childhood dream?
I was born in Kelantan, a state in Malaysia. It is also known as the “Land of Lightning”. Only an approximate of 4% of Kelantan’s population is Chinese. As such, growing up, I was surrounded by friends from many different walks of life and culture.
My childhood dream was to become an entrepreneur like my Second Uncle. I have always admired his determination and will to succeed. He started from nothing but never let that get in his way of being successful. With the legacy he built, he has retired early in his fifties and now able to travel frequently with his wife and family.
2. Why did you come to Singapore?
After completing my Accounting & Finance degree in Scotland, I returned to Malaysia. My mum urged me to work in Singapore as she felt that there were better job prospects here. As such, I heeded her advice and started work at my aunt’s CPA firm in Singapore when I was 23 years old.
3. What are you working as now in Singapore and for how long?
I have been working in Singapore for 20 years and I only change job once, which means I’ve only have 2 jobs for my entire life working in Singapore. Once I commit to a job, I dedicate my time and constant work to improve. In my current company, I’m the key accounting person, doing the full set accounts. From daily data entry for Accounts Payable, monthly reports, quarterly Goods & Services tax submission, yearly preparation of accounts for Corporate tax submission etc. Work can get really hectic as I need to rush to meet the different datelines. The profit earned by company, for the employees we only entitle to monthly salaries, one month bonus and minimal percentage of commissions.
4. What got you started in network marketing? And tell us 1 thing you like about network marketing.
These few questions always been popped up in my mind. “Would I want to do this job for the rest of my life?” “Since I am not young, already above age 40, would I be replaced by the younger generation who are more energetic and creative than me although I am more experienced than them?” “Why are we – employees working so hard for employers, but we only get minimum pay and allowance?” I really do not want to work for employers for the rest of my life. I would like to be my own boss and have financial & time freedom.
I was fortunate to have been introduced to a home-based online business where I could work part time without affecting my full-time job while building up a safety net. I feel a sense of achievement and assurance that my home business provides in the form of a safety net and improving myself as an individual.
What I like most about network marketing is I can do it at my free time without affecting my full-time job and family life.
5. As a working mom, time is limited, how do you manage your time?
To run my network marketing business, mostly after work, my husband and family members help me with the household chores (a big thank you to all of them as I cannot imagine doing this without their support) and looking after my girls.
I always tell my two girls, in order to have better future life, this small sacrifice is really worth it! No pain, no gain!
6. How did you work your network marketing business? Is there a favourite method you are using, tell us more about it.
I am currently still learning about prospecting in cold market. For warm market prospecting, my warm markets are aware of what I am currently doing. As I am quite a chatty person, I love to share good things with people. My motto is Sharing is Caring. When we are genuine and sincere, people can really feel us. We do not have to hard-sell, our characters will attract the right people. We are the best testimonials for ourselves!
7. In your own words, what is the most important element in succeeding in network marketing?
Urgency! Urgency is the one thing that drives us forward quickly. The truth is that getting anything done is not easy even in network marketing,because complexity and resistance to action is so strong. The only way to cut through it all is to act with a real sense of urgency. To behave with an almost desperate urge to get the job done, no matter what and as soon as possible. Only when you have a spirit of urgency can you push your way through the admin and red tape, getting others to deliver on time, achieving anything significant in the shortest time. If we are not urgent, people sense it and things tend to progress slower. Our efforts then take ages to bear fruit.
8. Why should people never give up on their dreams?
My eldest girl’s Calligraphy on her white board “DON’T JUST FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS, CHASE THEM!”. If a 11 year old kid is already thinking this way, all the more I should never give up on my dreams and strive to prove to my two girls that it is possible. Life is short and unpredictable! We will never know what could happen in the next moment. Live your life to the fullest!
9. Last question, any advice that you would like to give to fellow moms whom thinking of starting their own network marketing or home-based business by the side?
My advice is to have a plan. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. There is no magical formula to this, it is a venture and every venture has its risks – some more than others. Be sure to talk to others, get advice from people you know and people from the industry as well. Always have a growth mindset, be willing to learn and be prepared to make mistakes and sometimes even look silly doing it. It does not matter, what matters at the end of the day is knowing what you do, striking a balance (this is sometimes the hardest when you have to balance work and family) and just remember to have a plan. Set goals for yourself, surround yourself with a great support system. If I can do it, you can do it! If you think you can, you can!
Sabrina, really appreciate your time and effort for accepting this interview. If you want to get to know more of Sabrina, you can connect with her on her Facebook by clicking here.