Daily Lesson from Life 27 March 2009

"Fri, Mar 27, 2009 my paper - Grad quits well-paid job to coach for free

WHEN she quit her $70,000-a-year job last year to become a personal- development coach, her friends thought she was 'crazy'. Even her parents felt she was 'unrealistic' to give up a career in brand management at a multinational corporation, especially when times looked set to be tough.

But Ms Celestine Chua, 24, who lives with her parents and brother in a four-room HDB flat, followed her heart. She set up 'Embrace Living', a company that currently provides free personal-development coaching.


For example, she coaches others on building their confidence and how to get what they want from their lives.

'I used to think life was about earning a lot of money and being successful. It was only after years of pursuing these goals that I realised it was all wrong. Money and status should remain as a means to an end and not as ends in themselves,' she said.


The National University of Singapore business graduate, who was on the dean's list, told my paper that she is 'fiercely passionate about growing and helping others grow'. Ms Chua feels that the concept of personal development is lacking in Singaporeans. 'Many people here are focused on developing other things in their life except themselves,' she said, citing careers and relationships as examples.

'While it is good to invest in these things, we may have overlooked our own needs.' She now coaches four young Singaporeans, including a doctor, and although she relies on her savings to get by, Ms Chua continues to give her parents an allowance.

However, Ms Chua plans to charge for her coaching services later this year. Her fees would range from $50 to $100 per person, which she said is 'very low' compared to the market rate.
The reason? She wants to develop her passion into a business in the long run.

'When I left my previous job, I thought I would return to corporate work after six months of pursuing my passion. But after a few months, I really love what I'm doing and thought: Why go back at all?'

She said: 'I'm not in this for money, recognition or fame. I'm really doing this because I want to help people be the best that they can be. I would even pay just to be able to do this.' "

An unorthodox young lady no doubt. It is courageous and admirable to start on her own without 'branding'.

Lessons for me:

1. Regardless of how she do eventually, she has broken new ground. Follow her heart and passion and see where it leads her to;

2. with this type of attitude, I believe she will be seeked out by employers who recognized such personality. I think she will be alright landing a job if the personal development coach route is not successful;

3. it is rare for one so young to think of 'coaching for free even if she has to pay to do it'. A bit stretched but still with good intention. Being young and brave is ok while if one is old and try to be brave, it will take extra courage.

May her new venture takes off nicely for her.