Kareen Lai tells us how she started women’s fitness business, Mums In Sync
Singapore is a great place if you want to be both a mum and a business woman. You can be head of the household and head of your own company without even removing your Ergo. In fact, being knee deep in looking after a little one has, for some women, been the spark for a brilliant business idea and a new trajectory as an entrepreneur. Recently, this dual role was celebrated in the Singapore Mumpreneur of the Year Awards 2014. Among a pool of successful nominees, seven ladies were selected as leaders of the pack in various categories. Here, the Singapore Mumpreneur Awards Grand Winner Kareen Lai, founder of Mums In Sync – a business dedicated to helping mums lead fit, healthy and confident lives – shares some expert mumpreneur tips.
Hi Kareen, congratulations on scooping the Grand Winner title at the Singapore Mumpreneur of the Year Awards. Your reputation precedes you as a post-partum gal’s best friend. Before we get stuck into the nitty gritty, tell us a bit about yourself…
I’m a 32-year-old energetic mother to an equally spirited pair of four-year-old twins, and wife to my wonderful army officer hubby. I have a passion for leading a sustainable, healthy lifestyle, and inspiring others to do the same. Professionally, I’m proud to say I’m the founder of Mums In Sync, a platform I built to shape up the nation, one mother at a time.
Tell us about your business and what made you decide to start it? Have you always been entrepreneurial?
In a previous life I was a school teacher. Once I had the twins I found it super challenging trying to juggle long days, inflexible working hours and childcare. At the same time I had been looking for a service to get myself get back into shape post pregnancy. I simply couldn’t find an adequate solution, so I went on my own journey of self-discovery.
I started Mums In Sync and began designing my own programs two years ago so I could inspire other mums to re-capture their best selves. I wanted to help mums feel sexy again. As mums, if we feel great about ourselves, our families feel great about us! Mums are in the driving seat when it comes to food, knowledge and activities offered to kids, so my ethos extends to inspiring the next generation of healthy eaters and active individuals.
I think there’s always been a bit of a dormant entrepreneur in me just waiting for the right opportunity. I had a gut feeling that my business idea offered a service that is still untapped, with high unrealised potential, so I jumped at the chance to step into unchartered waters to start Mums In Sync.
What’s the Mums In Sync point of difference that sets you apart from the fitness and wellbeing pack?
My vision is for Mums In Sync to become the go-to platform for mums seeking the BEST information and strategies for fitness and good health. We specialise in unique fitness and nutrition regimes that result in postnatal mums feeling confident and comfortable with their bodies. It’s all about bringing sexy back while also balancing the demands of motherhood! To that end we not only run our classes in a stunning gym environment, we can come to you if you’re stuck at home.
What are our classes like?
Mums In Sync is a cut above the rest of the health industry (and don’t even mention the slimming salons) because our focus is on education enabling lifelong success. There are two workshops that we will start running in May: Core Connection Workshop and the Sexy Fit Again Workshop.
Core Connection™ is an essential evidence-based postnatal healing program which I developed to teach women how to safely and effectively restore a strong core and strengthen your pelvic floor (bye-bye incontinence).
Our bespoke program is a comprehensive 16-week ‘Sexy Fit Mummy’ program that gets women in top shape by making sure they eat right, move right and think right. Ladies who work with us on this program allow us to take charge of their meals, movement plans and lifestyle. A glamour photoshoot at the end of the 16 weeks marks their transformation. It’s a really comprehensive program, so we work with only 10 mummies at a time.
How did you go about setting up your business – was it a difficult process?
It’s certainly no walk in the park starting a business from scratch. First of all, I had to get clear in my mind what I wanted Mums In Sync to be – as it’s not just a simple fitness model. The first year was particularly challenging and I spent loads of time talking to people and fine-tuning my business plan. In the second year, I concentrated on branding, nailing my services and programs and sharing my story. That change in focus helped me gain attention during the Singapore Mumpreneur Award 2014. This year I’m also dabbling in the fitness book market. Exciting times!
What’s the best thing about being a mum and a business owner? What’s the worst?
Although motherhood has stripped some freedom to pursue stuff I love (e.g. mountaineering, travel, parties and hanging out with friends), it has given me amazing opportunities that I would never have had if I were not a mother. The best thing about being a Mumpreneur is having the flexibility to schedule my time and work around my kids. People totally get it when I say “Sorry, I gotta go pick up the kids”. On the flip side, kids can also be the factor that hinders my progress, and I can’t go full throttle like I used to. But I really wouldn’t have it any other way because I choose to live a full and balanced life.
What has been the secret to your success? Anything you would change?
I’m a big believer in creating and sharing energy both physiologically through a delicious wholesome diet, and emotionally by surrounding myself with high energy people. Some people have the misguided impression that I’m the super-mum, super-wife, super-mumpreneur, and super sports girl. In reality, I’ve cobbled together a supportive network of wonderful people to help me navigate through it all. Without my peeps, success wouldn’t happen! And I wouldn’t change a thing either. Every single experience (even the devastating ones) has taught me a little something and helps me make better informed choices.
What advice would you give to other mums looking to start something of their own?
I guess it would be to keep your eyes and ears opened for a great, unique idea. But before you jump in and burn money, make sure that it is a sustainable and developed business idea. Do your research, plan and model. Only once you know it’s viable will it afford you the work/life balance you dream of!
You are just about to release a truly fabulous book ‘18 Again: Bringing Out The Sexy Fit Mummy In You’. How do we get our hands on it?
Yes, I’m pretty excited that my first book, 18 Again – Bringing Out The Sexy Fit Mummy In You, was launched on Mothers’ Day! The book emphasises the importance of learning how to move right, eat right and think right to lead a sexy, fit and confident motherhood.
Top image: Suasti Lye