Issue #004: From Youth Leader to Social Entrepreneur: Lessons from my ASEAN Journey

As ASEAN Summit 2025 concluded, I found myself reflecting on my journey through youth programmes in the ASEAN region—and how it shaped my shift from paycheck to purpose.

Dear Fempreneur,

Recently, a viral clip caught my attention: the US Senate confirmation hearing of Dr. Anjani Sinha, nominated as the next US Ambassador to Singapore. If you haven’t seen it, Dr. Sinha was grilled by Senator Tammy Duckworth over his lack of knowledge about Singapore and ASEAN.

I was especially inspired by Senator Duckworth and her #girlboss moment. She reminded Dr. Sinha—and the world—that:

“You think this is a glamour posting, that you're going to live a nice life in Singapore, when what we need is someone who can actually do the work.”

While this sparked today’s reflection, don’t worry—this isn’t going to be a political post. Politics isn’t my beat, and Fempreneur Shift was never meant to be about politics.

But it is about shifting from living on autopilot to running your life—and business—with purpose. And in my own journey, learning about ASEAN has been a surprisingly big part of that shift.

Why Should Entrepreneurs Care About ASEAN?

As a Singaporean running businesses here, I’ve learned how deeply politics and policies shape the economic and business landscape.

Even if politics isn’t your thing, it’s wise to keep an eye on policies that affect businesses. It’s in your best interest as an entrepreneur to know what’s happening in your country—and in the region you’re operating in.

For me, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been an incredibly important part of my personal and business growth.

A quick primer:

• ASEAN was founded on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand.

• Today, it has 10 Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

• Timor-Leste is currently an Observer and on track to become the 11th Member State.

• Among its many agreements, the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) stands out, supporting regional trade and economic integration.

But enough about the technicalities. Let me tell you why ASEAN matters on a personal level—and why it could matter for you as a purpose-driven entrepreneur.