Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anna Ong, Founder of WYSH Pte. Ltd., located in Singapore, Singapore.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
WYSH stands for What's Your Story Huh? It's a consultancy that promotes the power of personal stories. I produce a show called What's Your Story Slam. It's a curated storytelling competition where people share personal stories on stage. The storytellers share their moments.
Tell us about yourself
I'm an ex-banker turned storyteller. In 2016, I quit my banking job (almost 15 years) to move to South America to learn Spanish and dance; once I got that out of my system, I moved to the US, where I learned comedy. I fell in love with storytelling when I performed on my first improv show, where I had to tell my own story to the crowd. I got hooked and started telling stories on various stages in NYC and Washington, DC.
When I moved back to Singapore, I missed that world of storytelling. One of my friends challenged me by asking me, "What's stopping you from starting your own show?" Nothing. So I started What's Your Story Slam in July 2019. While I love telling stories, I love helping people find and craft their stories more. It lights me up to see people shine when they tell their stories. I feel so fortunate that I get paid to do what I love to do on a regular basis.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
That's tough. The fact that What's Your Story Slam is over three years old. Most shows die before that time. We've survived a global pandemic. We went from offline to online to hybrid (one of the first in Singapore) and back to offline. Through the show, I get to work with really interesting people. Recently in October, I was at the National Geographic Society's Women's Convening in Asia, where I spoke and workshopped with the explorers on finding their core message.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
You're never really off. Even on downtime, you're thinking about the business and strategy.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- If you're going to start something, you better believe in it 100% and be passionate about it because that's what's going to push you through the tough times.
- Believe in yourself.
- You are your business's best advertisement, so make sure you uphold your business's mission, vision, and values.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.anna-ong.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annaong212/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-ong/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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