Depleting her years of savings in just months taught her a painful lesson

Experience showed entrepreneur difference between saving and financial planning

- Rosalind Ang

It took Ms Rosemary Kwa years of saving 50 per cent of her earnings from work to hit an amount where she felt financially secure, but only months to burst that bubble.

"I had saved quite a bit from part-time jobs during my teenage years, thanks to the discipline instilled in me by my mum of saving 50 per cent of everything I earned, and I felt financially secure," she said.

But when she moved out to live on her own at age 23, faster than she could hold a housewarming party, her savings were depleted and her bank account was close to zero.

"It taught me the difference between saving and financial planning," said Ms Kwa.

She hasn't made the same mistake since.

Today, she is the tea experience director and founder of Petale Tea, a Singapore-based brand that specialises in handcrafted blooming teas - tea bundles that unfurl into flowers when steeped.

Ms Kwa started her career in the retail industry after completing her O levels and joined the food and beverage industry after that. She spent over a decade in the two industries honing her skills in service excellence and guest experience.

Her experience led her to develop a deep appreciation for meaningful connections and thoughtful presentation. Her working environment taught her entrepreneurial skills, which she said equipped her with the right skills and mindset to be able to run her own business today.

Ms Kwa, 42, is married, with one eight-year-old son.

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