As Motherswork celebrates its 24th anniversary this month, here's how an accountant with no retail experience launched one of the most recognised baby and mum brands in Singapore and China
How I’m Making It is a weekly series in which Tatler speaks to influential individuals about their unique journeys and what keeps them going.
Whether you’re a parent or not, it’s highly likely that the name Motherswork rings a bell.
With 300 international retail and distribution brands under them and a total of 14 stores in both Singapore and China, the boutique is widely regarded as the go-to store for mums since its inception in 1998. However, did you know that Motherswork actually started out as a new mum’s hobby? To be specific, a hobby that involved shopping.
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“Becoming an entrepreneur actually stemmed from my journey as a mother. I wanted the safest car seat, the coolest stroller, the most efficient steriliser, that cute baby treadmill, you name it I wanted it,” shared Sharon Wong, the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Motherswork.
“By the time I was pregnant with my third child, I had done a lot of research and I had a portfolio of brands from around the world. All I wanted to do at that point was to share that knowledge with other moms.”
But Wong had zero retail experience. She held an Economics degree from Monash University, a Graduate Diploma in Taxation Law and years of experience at some of the top accounting firms in the world.
From the early days of her career, Wong was a skilled accountant who quickly climbed the ladder to hold high ranking roles such as being the Regional Tax and Treasury Director at one point at an American firm.
However, she knew nothing about starting her own business and never imagined that she actually would do it.
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