Timeless Elegance
On discussing the importance of confidence, heritage and empowerment, Rebekah Yeoh and Datin Sri Eannes Chop paint a picture of effortless refinement.
What are your thoughts on extravagance and its impact on your
daily life? I don’t think it’s necessary to be extravagant in your personality or style. If you’re an introverted or reserved person with a quiet style, there is beauty and elegance in that too. It’s about wearing what embodies you best and keeping it genuine—that’s what makes you radiant.
Empowerment in your own words and how do you think this has changed
over the last few years? Empowerment is the ability to impose change in your own life or someone else’s life. It is the determination and willpower to do what you believe is best for yourself and being fully confident in that. One can only muster this through true empowerment. I feel social media has evolved the landscape of empowerment—it has both dragged young women’s confidence down but also boosted the sureness of some. We cannot use social media as a compass for women’s empowerment, but we can use it correctly to raise women up. Empowerment depends largely on the personal choices in the lifestyle that you adopt.
Following this, how can we encourage women to feel more empowered in life
and at work? Women feel most empowered when they know they are well-equipped and wellpositioned to break ceilings. They need to surround themselves with the right support systems and have the wisdom to decipher which doors to open and close. This starts with filtering out the kind of people you want around you. Empowerment comes naturally thereafter.
Rebekah Yeoh, Corporate Finance Director, YTL Corporation
What are your thoughts on heritage
and why is it important? Heritage is a very important facet of preservation. God said be the salt and the light, and heritage in the form of principles, values and modus operandi is key towards this. Preserving all three is essential in shaping who you are as a person organically and is a foreshadowing of the values you will ingrain in future generations.
A memorable piece of advice you were given that stays with you till today.
When I was 20 and about to start work, I was worried about perception, but one of my wise older cousins told me “things will fall into place” which probably has to be one of the most underrated pieces of advice ever given. As hard as it is to believe, water will always find its path to the river, you just have to trust the path.
“Women feel most empowered when they know they are well-equipped and well-positioned to break ceilings. They need to surround themselves with the right support systems and have the wisdom to decipher which doors to open and close.”
What are your thoughts on extravagance and its impact on your daily life?
Once, I wore an evening dress and went to a roadside stall after an event. Changing out of my extravagant attire was not an option at that point nor was it practical. Some judged while others admired me for that bold decision. Sometimes, you just have to own up to your decision and be flexible regardless of what people might think. It is crucial to dress as you wish (even if it’s extravagant) without letting it affect your day-to-day activities. Be comfortable and confident.
Empowerment in your own words and how do you think this has changed over the last few years?
Empowerment is believing in yourself first before anything else. My life has definitely changed over the last few years after having my own family. From taking care of my children, myself and the business, my responsibilities have increased tremendously. If I didn’t empower myself, I wouldn’t have been a businesswoman today; whilst juggling many responsibilities at the same time.
Following this, how can we encourage women to feel more empowered in life and at work?
Women are naturally strong but sometimes they do need some scoops of encouragement. A few dauntless words, a shoulder to lay on or even a cup of coffee could empower them for the rest of the day. At work, it’s important to positively criticize and appreciate both bad and good deeds. This will help grow self-esteem, which is important to foster empowerment from within.
Datin Sri Eannes Chop, Executive Director, Mirago Group of Companies
What are your thoughts on heritage and why is it important?
Heritage is like frozen food—it would be damaged if it’s not preserved well. It is important to preserve heritage to show the future generation what we have built for them.
Being in the family business, how have you grown to become your own person?
Looking back, my father is a self-taught businessman. Currently, I have my own business although it is not our family business. During the process of building my business, I definitely had a rough time but by being fully immersed in the tasks, I got to learn from the mistakes and gained valuable insight. These exercises build character and has resulted in the person that I am today.