Ooi Sze Jin
Ooi Sze Jin is the Founder of A Kind Place and Registered Clinical Psychologist in Singapore. She is passionate in working with individuals struggling with mental health issues and in increasing mental health awareness and accessibility in Singapore.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before the venture/ corporate journey?
Growing up I have always wanted to be different. I have worked in different countries, with people from different backgrounds, social economic status, and disabilities. I have worked in community mental health settings, social services, corporates, and start ups.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business/initiative? What motivated you within to say “YES, go for it!”
Mental health is something that I am very passionate about. I wanted to do something different and be able to own a company that makes a difference and stands for something important – compassion, kindness, humility, and generosity.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
I want to help others learn to be kinder, more compassionate, more humble, and more generous towards not only others, but towards themselves. I want to create a community that is non-judgmental, kind, and supports each other to become better versions of themselves.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
I started this company by myself and have grown the team to a team of 7 within a year. I have also clenched a major deal within the first 6 months of starting out.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
Stealing Nike’s tagline – Just do it! I believe that everyone can start their own business if they want, the most important thing is not giving up and not letting others stop you.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women’s leadership today?
It’s important to have women in leadership roles because women are able to add the emotional (empathetic) part to leadership. They are able to connect with employees better and able to care more for their staff. It’s important for women to learn to find a balance of being great careers, but also stoic when needed.
What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
We don’t need to compare ourselves to anyone, we don’t need to try to be better than men. The only thing we need to do is to find our true selves. When you find your true self and live life according to what is important to you, that’s when you will feel the happiest, that’s when you will feel successful and everything will seem to fall into place.