2324T1 Tokyo/Participant Information/Reyna Yeo
About Myself
SMU email: reyna.yeo.2020@scis.smu.edu.sg
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reyyeo/
Academic Year: Year 4 (2024)
Degree: BSc Information Systems (Major in Digitalisation and Cloud Solutions & Fintech)
- What motivates you to join TSM?
I am passionate about exploring new ideas and finding innovative solutions to challenging problems, particularly within the realm of entrepreneurship. Through TSM, I hope to gain valuable insights from industry experts at established brands. As Japan is renowned for its creative prowess, the opportunity to visit and immerse myself in a different culture is especially exciting. I am eager to gain firsthand experience by visiting businesses in Japan and learning from their unique approaches to problem-solving and innovation.
- Where would you like to visit?
Tokyo: Nintendo, Asahi, Ghibli Museum, Akihabara, Toyota
Starting a business
- What types of business interest you?
I am fascinated by businesses that consistently push the boundaries of what's possible and prioritize innovation and creativity in everything they do. In today's fast-paced and highly competitive market, I firmly believe that creativity is the key to staying ahead of competitors and achieving long-term success. By constantly seeking out new and better ways of doing things, businesses can find unique solutions to challenges and gain a competitive edge that cannot be easily replicated. In my own work and career, I strive to emulate these qualities and remain open to new ideas and approaches that can help me stay ahead of the curve.
- What plans do you have in starting a business?
In a previous round of the SMU Business Incubator Program, I pitched a business idea for a group-buying platform for lifestyle services. For example, users could band together to get discounted gym memberships, salon services, and more. The idea came about because group buying was on the rise in Singapore, as seen on online marketplaces like Shopee, and even in neighborhoods where a particular household would bulk order for the entire block to save on shipping fees. However, as these group buys were mostly for products, I saw an opportunity to leverage group buying in the services industry and differentiate ourselves from Groupon, which had a similar concept but did not succeed. Although my idea did not pass the final round, I gained valuable experience and feedback that helped me identify areas for improvement, such as refining our value proposition. During that time, an NUS undergraduate also approached me on LinkedIn and asked if I was interested in partnering with him to launch a platform aimed at pre-university students. Since I see more potential in his idea than in my previous one, I plan to work with him on it after my semester ends.
Past Experiences (optional)
Internships:
- Treehouse Finance, UI/UX Designer Intern: May '22 - Aug '22
- OCBC Bank, Business Compliance Intern: Sep '19 - Feb '20
CCA:
- Metamorphosis Freshmen Orientation - Events Executive: May '21 - Sep '21
- Project Heartcode - Finance Deputy: Aug '21 - Jan '22
- Teaching Assistant - Web Application Development 1: Aug '22 - Dec '22
- Teaching Assistant - Business Process Analysis & Solutioning: Jan '22 - Apr '22
- PAK Challenge - Participant: 2021
- SMU Business Incubator Generator Program - Finalist: 2022-23
