LIFE WITH PASSION
February is typically seen as the month of love and romance with many couples celebrating Valentine’s Day. But in this issue, we go against conventions and explore the theme of passion—more about enthusiasm, less about romance. “Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity, because if you’re passionate about something, then you’re more willing to take risks,” renowned American cellist Yo-yo Ma once said to Philip Ball, the author of The Music Instinct: How Music Works and Why We Can’t Do Without It. I can’t help but agree. Many successful people that I’ve met as a journalist are tours de force, not just because they are brilliant or intelligent, but also because they are fuelled by passion, this magical energy that drives them even in the face of setbacks. Simply put, they love what they do. Cases in point: our cover personalities, Beppe De Vito and Lynn Yeow-de Vito. Beppe is a self-taught chef, who now runs the illido Group, while Lynn is his better half, a public relations veteran, who has also dipped her fingers in pies as varied as digital publishing and wines. On top of that, they also have four sons aged between four and 14. Despite multi-hatting at work and at home, the De Vitos are constantly bubbling with positivity and ready to overcome the next big challenge in life. Find out on p.120 how passion is a key ingredient to their success. Another example of individuals working with passion is the Cremona family behind Parfums Henry Jacques. Anne-lise Cremona, the current CEO and daughter of founder Henry Jacques, tells senior writer Nicolette Wong on p.72 the reason why the brand insists on making their customers wait for months to receive their bespoke perfumes. On the philanthropic front, the Jhunjhnuwala family, who owns and operates the Hind Group, embodies passion in a slightly different sense of the word, as sub-editor Hashirin Nurin Hashimi discovers on p.50. With late patriarch Shyam Sundar Jhunjhnuwala a firm believer in doing good and showing kindness to people, his generosity has inspired the other members of the family such that philanthropy has become a way of life for them. Meanwhile, as you finalise your next mega-deal, don’t forget the importance of love in your life. Pamper your significant other with a candlelight dinner and a bottle of Château Latour. Roses: a big bonus. Happy Valentine’s Day!
— Terence Lim Editor