‘Mulan’ rises to the challenge

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SUCCESSFUL: Flipping through the book titled Sarawak Women in Business – Their Stories.

MEMORABLE: Holding up the page where she is featured in the book after the launching at the state-level 2013 Women’s Day celebration in Kuching.

GETTING featured in the book that celebrates women is something that does not happen everyday.

Sheila Sim is one among 47 enterpreneurs statewide to have been chosen for the rare honour. It’s a proud achievement that leaves an indelible mark on her résumé as one who has “been there and done that” and who can  be an inspiration to other women.

The book – Sarawak Women in Business – Their Stories – was launched last Saturday (Sept 28) during the state-level 2013 Women’s Day Celebration by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

It records the personal experiences of the women featured in facing challenges as enterprenuers, their rise and fall, happiness and sadness, never-give-up spirit and perseverance in a very challenging market.

Sim who celebrates her 36th birthday this month, is Avon boutique owner of Blueberry Beauty Enterprises in Miri.

She is the first Avon personality to be featured in such a book.

The mother of two – a five-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy – has been with Avon since December 1994 – a solid 18 years. She owns two Avon boutiques – one in Miri and one in Permy.

Q: How does it feel to be selected to feature in the book?

A: I feel very privileged because only 47 made it. I hope to inspire other women to rise to the challenge because they can achieve success too.

Q: What jump-started your career with Avon and inspired your success?

A: My mother of course! She was a very successful Avon dealer during her younger days despite not knowing much English or Bahasa Malaysia. And the language barrier, a difficulty for most, did not stop her doing the catalogue-mail order business solely in English and Bahasa Malaysia.

I remember her going door to door to promote Avon products and she was a unit director before we were offered the franchise business.

One of my most wonderful childhood experiences was going after the Avon products whenever the cargo man delivered them to our house. I would be the first to open the boxes and it was the same sweet aroma when I walked into the Avon Beauty Boutique every morning. My mother taught me that as long as one has determination, one will succeed despite the odds.

The second person is my father. I would do anything for him. He once told my sister that I’m his Mulan. My father taught me we have to always remember where we come from, retain our value and appreciate what we have. He once said do not try to change who you are due circumstances, because you are most beautiful when you are you.

Q: What is your goal in life?

A: I wish to be a philantrophist some day. I believe life does not have to be extravagant, knowing a lot of people out there are not as lucky and privileged. So I would like to see life change for the better. As long as I’m able to provide, I will continue to do so.

Q: How did you get into Avon?

A: After Form Five, I was supposed to continue college but during that time, our family was offered the franchise business, so I stayed on to help out in the family business.

In between, I completed the Beauty and Aesthetic Course with Clara International to enhance my knowledge and skills in the beauty industry, was offered the Master of Business Administration (MBA) with Curtin University Sarawak Campus, got distinction in the first two courses but never got to finish the programme due to heavy workload and commitment in the Avon business.

Q: What are your achievements since joining Avon?

A: One of the most wonderful programmes Avon has is the incentive trip programme whereby upon achieving our target, we get to travel to different destinations every year like Europe and the US. It is my wish to send my parents to these places every year. To date, I have lost count of the countries they’ve been to.

That’s my cherished achievement as a filial daughter. On a personal level, I’m able to invest in property and business at a young age, and build on my confidence and self-esteem over the years. I used to be very timid, low in confidence and introvert.

Q: As an owner of two boutiques, what do you do during your free time?

A: I love to spend time with my children, play with them and listen to them telling all sorts of weird but interesting stories, and pretend I understand. I don’t want to miss out on their golden growing up years, knowing that when passed, these years cannot be reversed and that how precious time is juggling between the business and family life.