I Am: A Portrait Series - Peggy Chang
"The important thing is knowing what I should allow to get to me."
Courage
With much verve coupled with an underlying charisma, Peggy Chang carries a natural allure with her. She is an independent blogger over at Sixpegs, where she shares her love for travel, food, fashion and everything in between with a community of like-minded people. Besides that, Peggy is a co-owner of two cafes — The Tiramisu Hero and Butter My Buns. As a self-proclaimed happy-go-lucky girl who listens to her heart, she looks to provide jobs and give back in small ways she can to the community — not forgetting the importance of creating a fun, safe and inclusive working space for all.
What does Courage mean to you?
Courage is being able to be both tough and soft; brave enough to take on challenges thrown in one's face, and resilient enough to admit and learn from one's mistakes.
What does women's empowerment mean to you?
Women's empowerment is to work towards not even having to fight for women's empowerment in future. It is putting aside discrimination and stereotypes, and should start at places that are closest and most familiar to us.
What keeps you motivated and driven?
I need quite a fair bit of positive reinforcement to stay perked up and motivated, so seeing good results come out of the work I've put in is the biggest driving force to keep me going. I have also learnt that it is essential to take breaks and recharge when I need rest, and to surround myself with people who believe in me.
Who has been the biggest influence to you?
It is quite hard to think of a particular person who is the biggest influence to me. I feel that the people I surround myself with all influence me to a certain extent; the important thing is knowing what I should allow to get to me.
What are some values you live by?
Forgiveness and compassion. Not sure if the following are values but I think self-care is important, and sometimes we need to take things more lightly and just live in the moment.
Why did you start this business?
I have been selling the tiramisu online for about a year when I decided to start a brick and mortar, and that was when the game really changed for me. My partner and I saw a chance that we can actually grow it into something different so we decided total the leap of faith. I love cafe hopping and I've always wanted to have a little space I can call my own; one where my friends could come by anytime they want to chill and unwind when they need a little time-out (I love running into friends at the cafe) and for me to meet people from all walks of life and engage in conversations that would not have happened if I did not have this space.
What do you hope to achieve with your business?
I hope that people would relate my brand and my space with something exciting, positive and cosy. I'd like to provide jobs and a fun and safe working space and hopefully do my small part for our community.
What is your idea of success?
Personally, I think success is being able to have the strength to get onto one's feet after every setback, feeling at peace with one's life and still be excited and passionate about what the future has to offer.
What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring women entrepreneurs?
You'll be living a few years of your life like most people won't, so that you can live the rest of it like most people can't. Believe in yourself.
Peggy wears our Vest Outerwear in Navy Blue, and our High Waisted Tailored Trousers in Navy Blue.
Photography: Rachel Loh from Bare Creatives
Hair and Make-up: Meredith Koh