This Women's History Month, we celebrate, uplift, and honor the amazing women who have played a role to shape the world we live in.
Purely wouldn't be where it is now without the all hard work from our amazing team, which happens to be majority female!
To celebrate, we interviewed our very own Judy Tan, creator and founder of Purely, on what it means to be a female entrepreneur, her inspiration and the many challenges she went through that led to where she and Purely is right now!
What attracted you to entrepreneurship?
I’ve always been drawn to entrepreneurship. When I was in 5th grade, I loved making friendship bracelets and got really into it. Friends started asking me to make it for them… before I know it, I had a line of kids at my desk ordering friendship bracelets for $5 each.
I’ve always loved creating, making things with my hands and making things out of nothing. Which is the exciting part for me… creating a business from scratch to making it profitable and sustainable but that’s also bringing joy and people together at the same time.
The idea of creating is limitless and the journey is what matters which entrepreneurship is all about it.
Which powerful woman do you admire the most? Why?
I admire my grandma and my mother the most.
My grandma who is always very supportive no matter what I do. She’s such a happy and loving lady that radiates positive energy. I want to be able to bring light and smiles to those around me like my grandma. My mother is the most hardworking person I know. She started a small business (restaurant) with my father when I was little not knowing anything about entrepreneurship, business, operation but they did it for the opportunity it presented to them. They took their chance and worked hard to make it. The grit, perseverance, and work ethic my parents had instilled in me made me who I am today.
Do you consider yourself to be a powerful woman?
I still have lots to learn but I believe that everyone of us is becoming more powerful each and every day with a little more wisdom.
What did you dream of doing when you were a little girl?
I grew up dancing when I was little so I dreamt of becoming a ballerina when I was little. I still dance whatever chance I get and will always dance because it brings so much joy when I do. You should try it too! Dance like no one is watching… it’s so liberating!
What are you most proud of?
Growing up in a Chinese family, I’ve always been taught to be humble and not brag. For the first time in my life, I’m happy to say, I’m proud of where Purely is at so far. It hasn’t been a straight smooth ride but through the bumps and curves, it shaped me to the person I am and I am proud of who I am today as a woman entrepreneur.
Is it (still) necessary as a woman nowadays to decide between career and children, and what advice would you give to young women in this regard?
It’s definitely MORE challenging when you have kids. You’re going to feel mom-guilt for your baby and/or your other baby (business). I believe that you don't have to pick one or the other. We can have it all… other moms have done it, so can we. We just have to accept that time is finite and we only have so many hours in the day and we can only do so much. Prioritize the most important tasks at hand first and work on them, sometimes that might be just one or two tasks a day (whatever your schedule allows). Schedule quality time with your family and be present when you’re with them. The time you have with your little ones is also limited, you will never get them back so enjoy and be fully present, you won’t regret it.
What would you say to any young woman who is thinking about starting their own business?
Don’t think about it anymore. Just do it! You will only know if you start. Start small. Start anywhere… just start. All of us, spend a lot of time, pondering, thinking, deciding… if we used that time to make progress in starting a business, you are already closer to knowing if entrepreneurship is right for you. We all have limited time on this Earth, use it wisely and enjoy every minute of it, even the downs, embrace them, hug those challenges because later when you look back, they were not so bad. Life will be boring without any bumps in the road, right? Adventures awaits… the world is your oyster. Go for it!