The story below is reproduced with permission from writer Karen Chan-Hughes
There is a special lady on my Facebook whom I would like to introduce to all of you. She has constantly been an inspiration to me. Looking at her posts and photos, I knew in my heart that she would be the first person for me to interview for my ‘Women Who Inspire’ series. Though I have never personally met her, I sent her some interview questions and here is the interview.
Enjoy!
1. Hi Stephanne. You are one of the most inspiring women on my Facebook. Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?
I am a Lifestyle Estate Planner. I plan for all walks of life, individuals, families, business owners, Entrepreneurs, Celebrities, High net worth. Any form of Estate planning from a Will, to all kinds of Trust, Business Valuation Planning for Business Owners, and Comprehensive Planning of high net worth individuals. I am especially passionate planning for families with minor children, business owners and high net worth as this is my forte and they have very unique needs specific to their requirements and situations. Not all individuals are the same, thus every Will should be customized and unique.
I am the Founder of Celebrity’s Will and Wasiatku, and co founder of Business Succession Planning. All on Facebook 🙂
On the personal light, I love GOOD FOOD! People often says that “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” as they see I enjoy cooking nice food for him:) But it’s equally true of myself, I love good food and have a sweet tooth! Most people’s perception is that we get good food at restaurant. But I believe that good food should also be enjoyed at home, at least in my home! If my husband loves a dish, the top dish should be my creation:) Delicious food outside is a bonus! And I think good dining experience should also come with good service!
I love music although I was not musically trained at all. I enjoy picking up my guitar and worship, writing worship songs and singing! I love to sing, but I love worshipping more.
I have a perfectionist attitude for my work and performance. I always set a standard for myself to achieve.
2. I am also aware that you have accomplished many things in your business. How did you do it? What drives you everyday to do what you do?
Thank you. I have been in this industry for three years now and glad that I am already a veteran and known for COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING. I receive many recognitions every year. By God’s grace, I hope to receive more awards as a reflection of the commitment toward my work and as a motivation to do better.
I LOVE and enjoy doing what I am doing. I am the first LIFESTYLE Estate Planner in Malaysia and Celebrity’s Will is a very unique brand. I love being a SPECIALIST!
I am very privileged to have many good and appreciative clients. I appreciate this very much as I enjoyed the good testimonies and all their kind gestures 🙂
God is good! I have enjoyed His many favors.
Besides loving what I do, I enjoy meeting people. And our businesses are also our marketplace ministry. This business is more than just earning but also a unique positioning.
I am privileged to have an excellent Mentor who gives me higher understanding of myself and my business strategies.
3. How do you juggle your work life and your personal life?
My Mentor strongly advised me to have time for my spouse and family from the very beginning. No compromise on that. He said that giving time to family and putting them first should be my utmost priority and can still find SUCCESS in our business endeavours. This kind of success is far more meaningful and true. And will sustain long run. Thus, I always aspire that.
When my Mentor first told me to reduce my working days I was not too very happy to do so because I am by nature, quite aggressive and full of drive, you can say I am ambitious.
My Mentor gave me the right advice, and I appreciate His true wisdom. I think it is important that in our path to Success we must not lose ourselves and loved ones. And more importantly, I was capable of being a workaholic thus my Mentor understands me very well! He helped me avoid that.
4. I saw on Facebook that you love cooking. What inspires you to do so? Is that your passion?
I am glad you noticed 😉
Wow! I do. Cooking is an art and passion.
I first started cooking for myself while I was a single, cooking simple but i set the table nicely although I ate alone then. But when I started cooking for my husband, my cooking became a passion and an art. My focus was to cook something he enjoys eating! I don’t do well with recipes, I don’t follow recipes well. What started me off, was a lot imagination. I try imagining the ingredients and process to make my hub’s favourite dishes. And so far thank God it has always turns up fine at first attempt. I am always a little fussy about presentation, so I normally observe good food presentation. I admire a few chefs and emulate their creativity.
From young I have been known as a creative person, so that does add flavor to my creations. I have been quite a perfectionist since young. I still am. Above all, when I know I am cooking for my hub, I cook from my heart! Doing things from the heart makes what we do unique and different 🙂 not just in cooking but also in ministry and in business.
I must tell my first culinary experience;)
I fried my first PERFECT sunny side egg when I was 6 years old. At that time,there were no Junior Masterchefs. I was a fussy little girl who enjoys eating sunny egg crispy but not burnt, and with perfect yolk. I must have it every day. I used to complain that my eggs were either not crispy or the egg yolk broke. So my great grandmother who took care of my daily meals, told me that it’s not possible to fry a sunny egg crispy, not burnt and the yolk perfect. But in my young mind “I can imagine how it can be done”, so I gave her the specification how to do it but it didn’t happen. She got impatient and told me ‘do it yourself!’. So I DID IT MYSELF, a perfect pair of sunny side eggs and did just that for many years!
5. You are an excellent role model to women of all ages. What advice would you give them especially those who want to do something significant in their lives?
A. As A Christian, I believe in God. I believe in having a relation and spending time with God.
B. Have a great Mentor!
C. Do something you enjoy doing as your career is a bonus!
I see Many people don’t realize their full potential or their dreams, not because they not have it, but rather they choose to do what they don’t enjoy doing or doing just for the sake of earning a living, period.
Choose wisely!
D. Whatever we do, we should do it with our “HEART” amidst other ingredients like diligence, being focused, excellence. Anything done with the HEART has X factor! I cook with my heart , I work with my heart! and I know others will be able to see the difference.
6. Who is your role model?
A. I admire Jesus as the perfect role model and I always try to find inspiration in other successful people’s experience.
B. I enjoy reading and learning from different authors too. One successful person I am inspired by is David Cho Yonggi from Korea. If you read his books, the Fourth Dimension (any of the 3 volumes), you will understand that this man is incredible and RADICAL! I consider him very successful. He started with literally nothing. But today he is a Legend. And to some extent he is a good role model to me. Each time I read his book, I am inspired on something or new actions. One radical time was when I fractured my left ankle in 2010 and was immobilised for 5 months. I did not have any surgical operation but received divine healing! I am always more radically challenged in my faith when I read about his experiences and it works on me:)
Another role model is a lady, Dr Petrina Guneratnam. She is the Senior Associate Pastor of Calvary Church and wife to Rev Tan Sri Dr Prince Guneranam, the Senior Pastor. Her life also inspires me. “Behind every successful man, there is a woman” , so they say. Pastor Petrina is such a woman. And her life inspires me to be that kind of a woman too.
And of course, MY SPOUSE is my all time inspiration. Because of him, I am always inspired to do many great things including my business and cooking nice dishes which both are equally important to me. And being a very supportive husband, it makes it easier for me to aspire and acquire, and to have visions and dreams. My husband is one of my greatest inspiration in everything I do besides God and my Mentor!
Above all, I give all glory to My Maker if my life inspires someone, if I have achieve anything worth an honor.
Thank you once again Stephanne! I am sure this little interview will make an impact in many people’s lives as they read it. Thank you for your time and effort in answering my questions. Hope to be able to meet you in real life one day!
Stephanne – In one of her photo-shoots
Stephanne with one of her many awards
Another award
Her hubby, Nicholas, loves her cooking!
She even has her own menu!
One of her own original compositions
With hubby in Korea
Sweet couple! Wishing you all the best in your future!
NickG Financial Designer 