She Rises The Stories of Career Growth
Author: Daphne Tan
Company: SINGLELINE CREATIVE CONSULTANCY SDN.BHD
Profession: Medical Facility Set Up
Position: Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Leading with Trust, Shining with Purpose
Hello everyone, my name is Daphne Tan.
I was born into a traditional Teochew family in Alor Setar, Kedah. The person who influenced me most was my grandfather, the chairman of the local De Jiao Association. He often reminded me, “Walk a little slower, stay grounded, and never be frivolous.” Those simple words became the foundation of my character.
As a student, I was known as the cheerful and energetic member of the school athletics team, always eager to take on new challenges. Everything changed when my younger brother passed away. Losing someone so dear forced me to grow up overnight. I became the “eldest son” of the family, setting aside my carefree nature and learning to shoulder responsibilities. I came to realize that maturity is not defined by age, but by the responsibilities we choose to carry.
When I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey, I had neither resources nor influential connections. During the day, I met clients; at night, I prepared designs, quotations, and paperwork. There were times when I had no idea whether the next day would bring a new project, but I knew I had to keep moving forward.
As a woman, I was often questioned about my ability to manage construction sites, lead teams, or deliver large-scale projects. Instead of spending my energy proving others wrong, I chose to let my results speak for themselves. Step by step, I established myself in the field of healthcare space planning, believing that thoughtful design can bring warmth to healing—comforting patients while improving the efficiency of healthcare professionals.
Over the years, I expanded my work into medical tourism and business consulting. Although these fields appear diverse, they are all built on the same foundation: people. At its core, business is about trust and creating value.
Today, I no longer strive only for my own success. That is also why I became actively involved with MULAN. I firmly believe that when one woman grows, she transforms a family. When many women grow, they influence a community. And when countless women rise together, they have the power to shape an entire generation.
Through MULAN, I hope to connect resources, create opportunities, and encourage women to believe that they do not have to wait until they are perfect to begin. Nor should they ever doubt themselves because of their age or background.
If you ask me what my life’s mission is, my answer is simple:
I want to be someone who lights the way for others.
The strength of a woman is not measured by never falling, but by choosing to rise every time she does. First, let yourself shine. Then, pass that light on to others—not only becoming a light yourself, but illuminating the path for many more.
That is the woman I aspire to be.