Sometimes, the most valuable lessons come from stepping back, listening to different perspectives, and reflecting on where we are headed.
Recently, we attended Own Your Career: How to Thrive in an Age of Change, a career conversation organised by Actsplore This, hosted by Janice and Sarah-Ann. The session featured Azran Osman-Rani, Group CEO and Co-Founder of Naluri and former CEO of AirAsia X and iflix Malaysia, alongside Freda Liu, a broadcast journalist and producer of The Shift Asia. Their different professional experiences brought valuable perspectives on navigating change, building a personal brand, and taking ownership of our careers.
The discussion also gave us an opportunity to reflect on our own journey at Minilux... the decisions that have shaped our business, the challenges of stepping into unfamiliar roles, and the lessons we continue to learn along the way.
1. Your Career Is More Than Your Job Title
One of the key takeaways from the session was that owning your career means looking beyond the job you hold today.
A job title describes what you do now, but your career is also shaped by the choices you make, the skills you develop, and the direction you choose to pursue.
Career growth does not always mean climbing the corporate ladder. Sometimes, it means exploring a different industry, building something from scratch, or having the courage to step into an unfamiliar role.
It is a reminder that we have more ownership over our professional journey than we sometimes realise.
2. Focus on the Value You Bring
Another important lesson was to communicate not just our background and experience, but also the problems we can solve and the value we bring to others.
Our experiences matter, but their impact becomes clearer when we connect them to how we help people, contribute to a team, or make a difference in a business.
This is especially relevant when building a business. It is not just about what we offer, but why it matters to the people we serve.
Reflecting on this, this is something we continue to learn as we grow beyond creating Essential oil and aromatherapy products into designing customised scent experiences and workshops for corporate teams and events.
Ultimately, value is not just about what we make. It is also about the experiences we create and the needs we help fulfil.
3. The Power of a Personal Story
We were also reminded that a good story goes beyond achievements and milestones. It is the personal experiences, challenges, and lessons behind those milestones that make a story relatable.
During the session, our co-founder, Guan Ren, had the opportunity to share his career transition from corporate law to managing Minilux.
While his background as a corporate lawyer provided a strong professional foundation, running a small business called for a different set of skills and responsibilities. It meant navigating unfamiliar challenges, making decisions amid uncertainty, and learning through both successes and setbacks.
Like many entrepreneurial journeys, it has not always been straightforward. There have been ups and downs, moments of uncertainty, and lessons that could only be learned through experience.
His journey is a reminder that career transitions are rarely as simple as they may appear from the outside. Moving into a new role often means stepping beyond what we already know, adapting to new situations, and being willing to learn along the way.
For us, this is also part of our story. Building a business is not just about the products we create or the events we deliver. It is about the people behind the brand, the decisions we make, and the experiences that continue to shape us.
4. Be Interested, Not Just Interesting
One of the simplest yet most memorable reminders from the session was to be interested, not just interesting.
In a world where personal branding often encourages us to stand out and present our best selves, it is easy to focus on how we are perceived by others.
But meaningful connections begin with genuine curiosity... listening, asking thoughtful questions, and taking an interest in the people around us.
Whether in our careers, business relationships, or everyday conversations, being willing to learn from others can open doors to perspectives and opportunities we might otherwise miss.
Sometimes, the best conversations are not the ones where we have the most to say, but the ones where we are willing to listen.
5. Growth Begins with Knowing Yourself
Beyond career advancement, the session also reminded us that our careers are only one part of a much bigger picture.
Understanding what matters to us, recognising our strengths, and reflecting on the direction we want to take are equally important.
As we navigate change, growth is not just about acquiring more knowledge or reaching the next milestone. It is also about understanding ourselves better, communicating more meaningfully, and remaining open to new possibilities.
There is no single formula for a fulfilling career. Each person's journey looks different, and sometimes progress begins with pausing to reconsider what we want and why.
A Meaningful Afternoon of Reflection
We would like to thank Janice & Sarah-Ann from Actsplore this for organising the session and giving us the opportunity be part of this journey.
We are also grateful to Freda Liu and Azran Osman-Rani and for sharing their perspectives and experiences, and to everyone who made the afternoon a meaningful learning opportunity.
Personally, we believe growth is an ongoing journey, shaped by the people we meet, the lessons we learn, and the willingness to explore what comes next.
Here is to staying curious, sharing our stories authentically, and continuing to grow beyond the roles we hold today!
