The courage to break from the mould and blaze one’s own path—that is the spirit that Glenfiddich was founded on in 1887. More than a century later, the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky raises a toast to the mavericks and visionaries who have similarly dared to go against the grain. Bringing its Where Next manifesto to life, Glenfiddich recently hosted the Where Next Club, where Singaporean changemakers were invited to come together and celebrate their single best quality.
One such beacon is Savina Chow. As a beauty entrepreneur, tastemaker and social media powerhouse, the multi-hyphenate has never shied away from living a life filled with purpose. Here, she opens up about her unconventional road to success and how she embodies Glenfiddich’s boundary-pushing legacy.
What, to you, are the defining traits of a maverick?
Courage. Sticking to a vision in spite of what anyone else might say while being accountable for the risks you take in pursuit of your dreams. And having the sheer grit and perseverance to see things through to the end, even if it means going through hundreds of ‘noes’ for a single ‘yes’.
How does Where Next resonate with you personally?
Where Next mirrors my desire to embrace the unknown. It is a quality that Glenfiddich has clearly applied to their whiskymaking with great success. I think it’s wonderful that they have created this platform where mavericks can come together to inspire others to take that leap of faith.
Give us an example of how you stepped out of your comfort zone. What did you learn from it?
It’s hard to pinpoint a single action; I find that I’m taking measured risks all the time. But one of my most challenging experiences has been raising funding from institutional investors. It has taught me to perform under pressure, think quickly on my feet and to be comfortable with rejection (which really does happen more than you might think).
“It’s wonderful that Glenfiddich has created this platform where mavericks can come together to inspire others”
What was the transition like from designer to fashion influencer and beauty entrepreneur?
After selling the fashion start-up I founded at the age of 19, I rode the start of the social media wave and quickly found a love for content creation. I made a measured decision to eschew university education to instead pursue my dream as an entrepreneur. It is a journey that has since come full circle. As a natural extension, I now have my eye on beauty and that has taken me into a whole new realm of opportunities.
What do you consider to be your single best quality?
Empathy. The best entrepreneurs foster a culture of support and compassion. They seek to understand their teams’ needs and motivations in order to work towards a common goal. These are things I’m still making a conscious effort to apply every day. What does growth mean to you? To me, growth means letting go of my perceived self-image, having the courage to look at my shadows with honesty and to take accountability. You’ve been on an incredible journey so far.
After all this, Where Next for you?
The answer is, back to basics. I want to find daily fulfilment and joy through everything I do and be ready to embrace new challenges with open arms.
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