Life detours before Blome
Design has always been in my mind since my teenage years. But, life took me on a decade-long journey of unexpected detours before it led me back to my creative pursuits! I've made 4 big moves in my life and each city I lived in always left a special place in my heart. I thought it would be fun to share a bit of my journey with you today.
Journey to adulthood
Leaving home for the first time
Hong Kong is the first city that I called my "home away from home". I spent about 6 years there for university and the first part of my working life. I was unsure if pursuing design was right at that time. I was conservative and not able to see what a design career would look like. So, I decided to take the safe route and put my passion for design aside. I graduated with a degree in Chemistry. Yes! I am a science nerd, especially when it comes to cosmetic chemistry!
Exploring new opportunities
I got an opportunity to pursue a career in Singapore, plus I got to finally be with my then-boyfriend after five years of long-distance relationship. It's a no-brainer for me, so I decided to move. Thankfully, it was a good decision after all. I didn't exactly love my job, but I ended up marrying the love of my life!
Summer days in San Francisco, soaking everything in…
Finding my way back to design
I left my corporate job in Singapore and moved with my husband to the US. This is where I finally decided to take the plunge on design.
Our summer in San Francisco made the most significant impact on me in my career shift. I signed up for a design course at UC Berkeley Extension. I spent most of my summer days designing, attending class & design workshops, getting lost at SF MoMa, and creating packaging mockups at a design studio. Soaking everything in, I realized that I fell back in love with design and started seeing myself doing it full time. After that summer, I finished my graphic design specialization and begin my freelancing journey. I think it is safe to say that I have left my heart in San Francisco and made a good decision on my career shift.
Turning my dreams into reality
The fourth big move is returning to Singapore. It felt weird to be back in such a familiar place, yet I needed to start over. I started looking for a creative community and am so thankful to connect with Rising Tide Society (Singapore chapter) straightaway. This group of ladies has been my greatest supporter from the beginning.
Slowly, I built the confidence to set up my own business, streamlined my processes, and decided to niche into branding for conscious lifestyle businesses. Building Blome Design Co. from the ground up has not been easy. There were many times that I doubted myself, but it's been such a fulfilling and fruitful journey. I now understand what it means to “be in your element," and it is such an awesome feeling!
My community + greatest supporter
I believe every city and chapter of my life helps me to become who I am today.
The in-between part was hard. To be honest, I can’t always see what’s next for me, but I kept reminding myself to "bloom where I am planted". Just be grateful for the present situation and use what I have at the time to make the best of my life.
Somehow deep inside, I knew that I would find my way back to design. Although the path is not as straightforward as I had wished, every experience from my previous chapters helped me become the designer & business owner I am today. Every season happened for a reason, and I am entirely grateful for that.
I hope my journey can inspire you in one way or another. Today might be tough for you to see through, especially with the world standing still and a pandemic that doesn't seem to go away. Keep pursuing your dream, and remember to make the best use of your situation.
Bloom where you are planted.
Did you like this POST? Pin the image below to save it!
