Starting a business is difficult, no matter when you start it. This pandemic offers some unique opportunities to learn from other companies about what types of business models can handle disruption and which ones are vulnerable.
However, you still need a strong short-term and long-term business plan and a well-defined operation model. Make sure you carefully think through your business opportunity before you take the plunge.
A startup founder says what matters more than the pandemic is whether your new business is solving pain points relevant to today. In todays article we interviewed Mandy Singh who started her business during the pandemic to see how she has done it!
Mandy is a 25-year-old entrepreneur living in Canada, graduated from the London School of Economics and Pol. Science in the UK with a degree in management and law. Mandy founded Coco House Canada and Coco House Asia. She basically started the business during the pandemic to help uplift the livelihood of farmers in Asia by buying/selling their plants and produce. Mandy and her business are bringing uncommon/exotic tropical plants to homes in Canada!
How do you start your day?
The first thing I do is check my messages and emails, I just skim through it and see if there’s anything that urgently needs my attention. Then I freshen up for the day and depending on my mood that day, I’ll have coffee or tea with a slice of bread.
I’m not a morning person so I would say my day starts around noon. Anytime before that, I’m just functioning like a robot, my brain would still be asleep. Haha! I’ll spend the first half of my day sipping through my cup of coffee and doing light work like replying to general emails, making a to-do list in the order of priorities. After that is when I actually get things done!
How did you get started in this business?
Coco House happened so naturally. I went to the Philippines at the beginning of 2020 and I saw a viral photo of a Filipino farmer who had to give away her produce because they started to rot and she had no customers. The pandemic was just at the initial stage where people knew nothing about it besides the fact that it’s contagious. Most of the farmers live in the mountains and they usually have no other selling avenues besides the public market.
I was casually talking to my dad about it and he happened to know a local farmer who also happened to be a plant seller. I went to the mountain, bought a couple of her products to start with, and took photos of the rest. Coincidentally, the day that I traveled back to Canada was the day Manila went on a lockdown and then Canada followed next.
So the pandemic gave me that extra time to set up an online platform.
Initially, I was working all day and night. We did everything through WhatsApp. The timing was perfect because the pandemic brought a sudden spike in the interiorscaping industry. Most days I would be up until 7 am here because of the time difference. Then I would have worked here by 9 am again so there were days I wouldn’t even get sleep!
I did that for more than 3 months and at the same time, I was slowly preparing Coco House Canada for a launch here, which finally happened mid-August. The good thing is we now have help in the Philippines so I can focus here and most importantly, I can get more than 3 hours of sleep!
Where do you see the interiorscape industry going in the future?
The world is changing and people are starting to realise the importance of not only physical health but also mental health. I believe the interiorscape industry is benefiting from that, there are actually multiple science-backed studies available to the public that talks about how decorating your space with plants can affect your mental health positively. I’m confident the interiorscape industry is here to stay because we’re learning more about those benefits. We now know having plants at home or your workspace can help boost mood, reduce stress, clean air and so much more.
Besides, in a world that forces us to adapt to new technology, plants keep us close to nature. Interiorscape simply brings nature indoors and it also supports other industries like tourism and hospitality. The next time you check-in at a hotel or go to a retail store, notice how you feel in their environment and then count how many plants you see. You’ll be surprised. Why do we wait for vacations to feel refreshed when we can design our houses to feel like a tropical paradise?
At what point did you know it was the right time to work for yourself?
I think it’s one of those things I just knew I would do. Even as a child, I’ve always envisioned myself to be in a profession where I didn’t have to work for anyone else. I went to a boarding school at 14 and I was always this strong-headed girl when it came to my own choices. I didn’t have anyone else to blame but myself so I had to work hard and do well. Later on, I traveled as a solo female traveler to over 20 countries because I saw so many people feared to do it. I booked solo flights, rode trains alone, ate alone at restaurants, stayed at hostels, dragged my suitcases alone. During that time, I even put up pop-up stalls for my artworks and these were in places I’ve never been to before so I would literally buy 20 canvases and paint them all. Was I scared? Of course. Did fear stop me? Not at all.
So going back to the question, there was no turning point when I just woke up and decided to work for myself. It was a pattern I followed, I got comfortable with doing things for myself. It’s why I chose to do Law and Management instead of choosing between Law or Management. It’s why I chose to work for other people so I could learn from them and to realise what I truly want. I’ve come to realise that freedom is my driving force and you get an enormous amount of freedom by doing things for yourself. So for me, I didn’t have a turning point, it was working on it every day or not at all.
Busy startup entrepreneurs have lots of demands on their time and are often pulled in lots of different directions, do you have any tips for effective time management and what to focus on first?
I feel like that’s a question I get asked all the time because I always have so many things on my plate. Just know your priorities and work your way down the list. I highly recommend making a list every morning, write down your tasks in the order of priority. It doesn’t have to be on paper, I personally can’t keep up with that so I just make the list on an app on my phone. I multi-task whenever possible – instead of showering, I’ll take a long hot bath to destress and I’ll write content or schedule social media posts at the same time.
It’s also important to delegate and trust other people with their skills. It’s impossible to do everything on your own, or I should say it’s impractical. I’m surrounded by supportive people that help me every day with the grunt work of delivery, purchasing, accounting, and more. That’s very important especially for startup entrepreneurs so that you can focus on what you’re good at.
How do you stay motivated?
I take breaks, long breaks. I’ll work non-stop for 6 days or so and take 1 whole day just binge-watching a show. I’ll take a break as soon as I start to feel like I’m burning out. I won’t wait until I’m burnt out because it makes it 2x harder to get back into the groove. I also reward myself a lot. I’ll buy something for myself or my family, or eat my favorite meal. My dad would just get a text message saying he has a package on the way and that’s because I just got paid. It almost instantly reminds me to work harder because I need to be able to afford all that! Haha!
What methods have you used to effectively encourage innovation within the business you lead?
I’m also an artist so my creative juice is always flowing. I’m always thinking of ways that can set us apart from other businesses. I’ll talk to people about it and pick their brains constantly. Communicating with the people you work with is so important so I make sure we touch base every day, even if it’s through texts or a 5-minute phone call. Just get the idea out there. No one should be made to feel like they can’t share their ideas and if the budget and time permits, we actually test out those ideas.
How would you describe your leadership style and what has made it so effective?
I would say balanced. I’m relaxed in the sense that I don’t yell at people ordering them around. I’m very particular with my work though, anyone who knows me or who has worked with me knows I pay attention to every little detail, it could be as little as to how the plants need to be wrapped.
I try to communicate my expectation rather than tell someone how to do something. For example, if I’m working with a website designer, I will let them know what the vision is. They’re free to do what they want, as long as they meet the expectation. It’s the greatness in little things, it sets the standards in a business and it’s what makes us different. So far, that has been effective for me.
Who have been your own biggest mentors and what is the best advice they have ever given you?
My dad, no doubt. He’s a businessman and a curious adventurer! He likes to try new things all the time, I grew up with my dad exploring all sorts of businesses! From travel agencies, groceries, department stores to restaurants and bars. There was this one time when he traveled to Malaysia and ended up staying there for a year. The next thing I know, he’s sending me these spa-grade facial kits in the mail because he opened up a new business in Kuala Lumpur, a spa! It taught me that if you see an opportunity, why not? You’ll never know if you don’t take the risk. I will always be grateful for my dad being brave enough to start a business and to do the grunt work because his businesses are what kept our family comfortable.
The best advice he’s given me is to never be afraid, his favorite line is “kayang kaya mo yan” in Filipino which translates to “you can do it” in English. If it pays off, great. If it doesn’t, you’re only one step closer to the one that will work out. All it takes is one great thing to be successful, you might not know when or what that would be. What’s certain is you will never find out if you’re not brave enough to take the risk.
What is a skill you think all women should learn and why?
Independence! It’s nice to be able to depend on people and there’s nothing wrong in asking for help once in a while, but we should be able to stand on our own legs too. Why do princesses have to be rescued by a prince all the time? If there’s help, yes, make things easier and graciously accept it but don’t sit around and wait for help to come.
I want women to get out of the passenger seat and drive to your destination, life is your most important journey. We have to put in the grunt work and help ourselves because we can. We should teach young girls to be independent so they become women with vision. Being independent will make you resilient and being resilient will make you powerful.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
Join the discussion!