In 2014, Lim took a leap of faith, leaving her previous job in the finance industry and venturing into beauty. Turning her passion for skincare into a business was a natural progression for her. “I wanted to provide an alternative solution for people with sensitive skin like myself, who struggled to find effective and gentle products,” Lim continues.

That said, the transition wasn’t easy. While her background in finance had helped her on the business end, everything else was a steep learning curve. “I [had to] put in the time and effort to learn as much as possible. It has been a challenging but incredibly fulfilling journey,” she shares.

When Handmade Heroes began, Lim relied on word of mouth and pop-up events to increase her reach. Slowly, Lim built her brand with the help of her personal savings and her then-boyfriend and now-husband, Adi Ong, who currently helps in the operational side of the brand and is also a co-owner of Handmade Heroes.

Lim shares that from the start, she knew she wanted her brand to “convey our dedication to crafting effective, natural skincare products while celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship of the process”. And it did just that.

Word spread fast, with her products quickly capturing young consumers looking for more natural products. The entrepreneur started dedicating herself to creating new and better formulas and building a brand to reach a wider audience.

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Within months, her skincare brand blossomed into hot-selling products that later became endorsed by various celebrities including Emily in Paris star Lily Collins.

“Seeing Lily Collins using our lip scrub was a special moment for me. It was not just about the exposure, but about the fact that she believed in the quality of our product enough to use it in her daily routine. That moment made me feel like all the struggles and sacrifices were worth it,” the entrepreneur shares.

The beauty guru isn’t stopping here, as her brand has various product launches in the works and hopes to reach new international markets in the coming years.

Below, we catch up with the entrepreneur as she shares more about her shortcomings, her first job and overcoming doubt. 

What is a typical morning like for you?
Lynsey Lim (LL): A typical morning for me starts at 7 am with a quick breakfast and preparing my kid for school. After dropping them off, I head straight to work. The first thing I do is check my emails and review my to-do list for the day. I usually have a meeting or two scheduled in the morning,

What do you usually have for breakfast?
LL: I like to keep my breakfast simple. I usually have a cup of black coffee and a bowl of oatmeal with some fresh fruit. It’s quick and gives me the energy and focus I need to start my day off right.

What does a standard workday look like for you?
LL: A typical work day for me starts with checking and responding to emails and messages, followed by a review of my schedule for the day. I have a meeting with my team to ensure everyone is on track and discuss any new developments. After that, I usually dive into any urgent tasks or projects that require my attention, such as product development, marketing campaigns, or production, and meetings with suppliers and distributors. I make sure to take breaks to clear my mind, which usually involves a workout during lunch.

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Free time: overrated or underrated? Why?
LL: Much too underrated. In today’s fast-paced society, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that being busy equates to success. However, taking time for ourselves and enjoying our hobbies and passions is crucial for mental well-being. It’s important to prioritise self-care and relaxation as much as we prioritise productivity and achievement to avoid burnout.

How do you achieve a work-life balance? How do you set boundaries?
LL: I make a conscious effort to set boundaries and prioritise self-care. This means scheduling time for exercise, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones. I also try to disconnect from work-related tasks during my personal time to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy mindset. However, it’s a continuous process, and I constantly evaluate and adjust my boundaries to maintain balance.

What was your first job? What did you learn from it?
LL: My first job was in a bank. It was a valuable learning experience that taught me how to handle stress and work well under pressure, skills that have been crucial to my entrepreneurial journey.

How do you unplug?
LL: Boxing is one of my favourite ways to unplug and clear my mind.  During that one hour of training, I’m completely focused on the workout, which allows me to forget about any work-related stress or distractions. It’s a great physical workout and mental escape.

How do you stay motivated?
LL: I am all for celebrating small wins. When I achieve something, even if it’s small, I take a moment to celebrate it. It helps me to acknowledge my progress and gives me a boost of motivation to keep going.

How do you prioritise tasks?
LL: I prioritise tasks by first identifying the most important and urgent ones, making sure they get done first and then allocating the rest of my time amongst the other tasks accordingly. I make use of to-do lists and project management software to keep track of tasks and deadlines.

Do you have moments of doubt and how do you overcome them?
LL: Absolutely, I have moments of doubt from time to time. When that happens, I try to remind myself of my past successes and accomplishments, and the obstacles I have overcome to get to where I am today. This helps me maintain a positive and reassured mindset.

Do you have any advice for entrepreneurs hoping to enter the industry?
LL: My advice would be to identify a gap in the market and develop a unique product that stands out from competitors. It’s also important to have a strong understanding of the science behind skincare and to prioritize the quality of ingredients used in products. Above all, stay passionate about your mission and purpose for entering the industry, and let that drive your dedication and hard work towards building a skincare brand.

How do you hope the industry will change in the next few years?
LL: I hope to see the skincare and beauty industry place more emphasis on self-acceptance and body positivity. Instead of perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards and promoting fleeting trends, it’s important to celebrate the uniqueness and diversity of each individual. I believe it’s time to shift the conversation around beauty to one that is more inclusive and supportive of all types of beauty, regardless of age, ethnicity, skin type, or gender.

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