Author: Natalie Ng
Company: GBI / Crestwood Property Management Sdn Bhd
Position: Female Growth Entrepreneur / Finance Director
《One “You Can’t” Will Never Decide My Life》
Hello everyone, I’m Natalie Ng. “You can’t do it” and “You won’t make it” were words I heard throughout my childhood. Growing up under the pressure and denial of my family, the version of me who should have been full of creativity gradually became extremely insecure and self-conscious. Those voices stayed with me for years, quietly shaping the way I saw myself and what I believed I was capable of becoming.
Later, I became a teacher with a stable career. Yet when I looked at a life whose ending seemed almost predictable, I began asking myself, “Is this really the only possibility for my life?” I wanted to discover what else I could become, so despite the discouragement of people around me, I resigned and stepped into entrepreneurship. I had no resources and no experience, but I told myself that the worst possible outcome was simply returning to where I started. If that was all I had to lose, why not give myself one chance?
The entrepreneurial journey was never smooth. I ran a tuition centre, worked deeply in the beauty and healthcare product industries, and later founded a company together with my husband. Life seemed to be gradually moving into a better place, but somewhere along the way, I realised that while my career continued moving forward, my personal growth had somehow stopped. I had spent years proving that I could work, build and achieve, yet deep inside, I was still carrying the same insecurity created by those early voices telling me that I was not good enough.
What I truly wanted was a sense of confidence and inner strength that came genuinely from within. That was why I joined a women’s growth and entrepreneurship platform. Under the guidance and inspiration of mentors and distinguished individuals, I began to rediscover myself and recognise my own strengths. It became the beginning of another transformation—this time, not only in my career, but in the way I saw myself.
I continued managing businesses related to women’s body management and personal growth, but I also began stepping courageously beyond my comfort zone. I went onto different stages as a speaker, host and beauty pageant participant. Through courses with Teacher Noelle, I strengthened my public speaking, expression and stage presence. Eventually, I had the opportunity to stand on a formal speaking stage and use my own story to influence and encourage other women.
Many women have asked me how to build confidence. From my own experience, I have learned two things. First, change your circle and stay close to people who encourage you to grow. Second, do not wait until you feel completely confident before you begin. Confidence is built after you repeatedly take that first step. Every time you dare to move beyond your fear, you collect another piece of evidence that tells you: “I can.”
Today, I no longer stand on stage to prove myself. I stand there because I hope my story can become a light for someone else. I know what it feels like to grow up surrounded by doubt, and I also know that those voices do not have to become the definition of our future. A single sentence—“You can’t”—does not have the power to decide an entire life unless we allow it to.
Never let the version of you that exists in other people’s eyes define who you truly are. You do not have to wait until you are confident enough to begin. Take the first step, break free from the limitations that once held you back, and create a life that truly belongs to you.
— Natalie Ng