2122T2 Silicon Valley/Participant Information/Rachel Lui
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About Rachel Lui Jia Min
SMU email: rachel.lui.2018@scis.smu.edu.sg
Linkedin:LinkedIn
Academic Year: Year 4 (2018)
Degree: BSc Information Systems (Major in Business Analytics)
Why Virtual TSM?
- What motivates you to join TSM?.
I have just started being a small content creator on Instagram. From what started as an interest and hobby, turned to becoming a platform for me to collaborate with brands and being offered monetary opportunities! Through TSM, I hope to learn more about what it takes to be an entrepreneur and how I might be able to convert the knowledge learnt to this platform of mine.
In addition, ever since my polytechnic studies, I have always been interested in the start-up and entrepreneurial scene. Especially through a module I took which required us to work in teams and come up with a tech-related business idea and subsequently work on that idea for the semester as if we were pitching a new start-up. A selected team at the end of the semester would then be chosen to be an incubator and if successful, eventually take their business to the next level. I have also always admired entrepreneurs and their drive. I believe that TSM would be an amazing opportunity for me to learn a lot more about the start-up scene and culture and what it takes to build a small business up from the ground.
Lastly, it would be a huge bonus to have the opportunity to have an overseas experience in SMU before my graduation after this semester!
- Where would you like to visit virtually?
Silicon Valley, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City and Shen Zhen
Starting a business
- What types of business interest you?
Fintech & blockchain businesses have really piqued my interest recently especially since attending a fintech festival where I was able to see and learn more about the various fintech start-ups. Also through my most recent summer internship at Amazon Web Services (AWS) where I was placed in the Financial Services Industry (FSI) sub-department and learnt a lot about the up and coming innovations in the banking sector such as open banking. In addition, social media has also proven to be a new platform for people to venture into, with successful content creators using this platform to build their brand and making this their full-time job.
- What plan do you have in starting a business?
I have recently started an Instagram account focusing on my love for beauty and skincare. Although this might not be a conventional business/startup, it has surprised me. Since creating this profile in June, my follower count has been steadily increasing, and brands have been reaching out for collaborations and have me try their products for reviews to be posted on my platform. As I am slowly building my follower base and building trust between my followers and I, brands are now offering me paid opportunities to create content for them in terms of paid ADs. Since starting this purely out of interest, this platform has given me a lot of joy and even monetary opportunities I never knew was possible. I am still very new in this space and I am still working out how best to "brand" myself and also understanding the market rates and how best to price my work competitively. (Link to my page: https://www.instagram.com/skynbyrach/)
Past Experiences (optional)
Internships:
- Professional Services Intern at Amazon Web Services (AWS) – May 2021 – Aug 2021
- Regional Marketing (Community) intern at Shopee - May 2020- Aug 2020
- Marketing & Analytics intern at GoldSilver Central Pte Ltd - May 2019- Aug 2019
- Web development intern at GoldSilver Central Pte Ltd - May 2018- Aug 2018
Co-curricular activities
- SMU BIA - Marketing Director
- Metamorphosis Camp 2019 (Facilitator)
What keeps you ticking?
Being able to give back to those in need, appreciating everything that I have and not taking anything for granted.
