I thought my business expansion failed, but then I rebuilt stronger.
When I decided to expand Left-handesign from Singapore to Australia, it felt like the natural next step. Our purpose-driven, plantable stationery created waves in Singapore. We found our niche, built a loyal community, and made a measurable impact in our mission to replace single-use plastic with products that could grow into herbs and flowers. I believed in our story, our mission, and our design philosophy. The momentum felt right.
So I made the leap, but it wasn’t just a market shift. I moved countries — personally, physically, emotionally, and professionally — and I underestimated what it would take.
Australia, for all its similarities to Singapore, was a completely different terrain to build a business in. I had to start from scratch — no network, no brand familiarity, no local infrastructure — and yet, I approached it like a continuation, not a beginning.
We poured funds into everything we thought was necessary — product development tailored to local preferences, marketing, certifications, local partnerships, and packaging innovations. What I failed to plan for was that our cash flow, once steady and predictable, was now stretched across borders. I didn’t account for the lag in awareness-building. I didn’t give our story the time it needed to take root.
The sales didn’t match the investment, and slowly our cash reserves began to shrink. I had moments of absolute panic. There were days when I would look at the numbers and feel a physical ache. Had I made a massive mistake? Had I risked the business for a dream that was too soon?
But here’s where the real shift happened: I stopped trying to scale. I started to listen. I went back to the people, the heart of our work. I reconnected with our community in Singapore to stabilize the foundation and leaned into slow, intentional growth in Australia.
Instead of assuming I knew what the Australian market needed, I asked. I observed. I collaborated. We adjusted our product-market fit. We focused on impact storytelling. We aligned with local sustainable initiatives and built partnerships one conversation at a time.
I learned to manage cash flow with eyes wide open — cutting what didn’t serve and investing only in what truly moved the needle. We stopped chasing vanity metrics and focused on values. Our B Corp certification in Australia became a pillar of trust and transparency.
What I once viewed as failure became a refining fire. We didn’t break — we rebuilt with stronger roots.
That experience taught me that growth isn’t always about up and to the right. Sometimes, it’s about going inward, slowing down, and remembering why you started. It’s about building not just a business, but an ecosystem that supports resilience.
Today, we operate proudly out of Singapore and Australia. We built awareness, grew our reach organically, and reignited our revenue. And every time I see a child plant one of our pencils or a corporate team choose our gifting sets over plastic-filled merchandise, I remember the cost of that joy.
To any founder reading this, don’t fear the fall — fear not learning from it because that moment you think you’ve failed just might be the moment you finally grow.
How I Make Smart Money Moves
- Design for profit and purpose. Align your pricing and business model to ensure financial sustainability and environmental/social outcomes — impact shouldn’t mean operating at a loss.
- Track cash flow like you track carbon. Treat your finances with the same rigour as your sustainability metrics. Know where every dollar is going, and ensure it supports your mission.
- Invest in what reflects your values. From ethical suppliers to green tech, spend where your values lie. Your money is your loudest vote.
- Build a buffer, not burnout. Purpose-led founders often overextend themselves. Prioritize creating a safety net — for you and your team — to grow without panic.
- Collaborate, don’t compete. Share resources, co-create with aligned brands, and reduce overheads through circular thinking. Abundance grows when we think regeneratively.
