Network and share

SINGAPORE - About nine months ago, the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA) Women's Wing held its first business networking session for women entrepreneurs in Singapore.

Around 30 women attended that session. Since then that number has risen steadily as word pread about the sessions that are held on the first Thursday of each month. Its 10th session, held on July 4 at The Banana Leaf Apollo in Race Course Road, was attended by about 80 women.

LISHA Women's Wing chairperson Joyce Kingsly told tabla! that the main idea behind the business networking session is to get like-minded women together to share their experiences in entrepreneurship.

"These sessions are open not just to members, who come in for free, but also to the public at $10 per entry. It's a great platform for women to make their businesses known and build their contact base. Today we have also featured eight businesses to set up stalls here and showcase their products," she said.

The networking session on July 4 kicked off with three presentations by women entrepreneurs on their respective businesses. The highlight of the evening was a talk by The Hour Glass executive vice-chairman Dr Jannie Chan. The 68-year-old, who is also the president of the Singapore Retailers Association, shared the history of her company that deals with luxury watches and also spoke of her struggles, both professional and personal, during the early years of establishing the company.

"I don't have a financial background. I do what my gut feels and that's how entrepreneurship is. It's risky and comes with challenges but you have to see yourself through them to emerge successful," shared Dr Chan, who also fielded questions from the floor.

Speaking to tabla!, Dr Chan said: "It's good to see women supporting one another and wanting to help each other and grow their business. And if LISHA Women's Wing continue what they are doing, they and the individual women will most certainly grow further."

Established in May 2012, the LISHA Women's Wing also organises awareness programmes and workshops for women.

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